Friday, February 10, 2006 News 3 Kidnapped journalist from Ann Arbor appears in new tape Opinion 4 Gavin Stern wants to fire the state Senate Sports 8 Singer: Ghost of Ed Martin lives rx\r, izii4uii One-hundred-ifteen years of editorialfreedom www.mchkiandai/y.com Ann Arbor, Michigan Vol. CXVI, No. 73 x2006 The Michigan Daily State funding up 2 percent LIGHTS OUT, PART DEUX P Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposed budget would increase the University's funding by $6.3 million By Justin Miller Daily Staff Reporter Next year might be the first since 2002 that the University has not faced cuts to its state funding. Gov. Jennifer Granholm submitted a pro- posed budget to the state Legislature yes- terday that would give the University $6.3 million more from the state than it got last year, a 2-percent increase. The budget, which the Legislature still has to approve, calls for a $34-million increase for higher education overall. The increase would reverse a four-year trend of cuts to higher education spending. Last year, the state cut higher educa- tion funding by 1.4 percent. The last time it raised funding was 2002, when it went up by 6.3 percent. Granholm asked for this year's 2-percent increase as a result of an $80-million sur- plus, which is left over from $318 million in unexpected tax revenue from 2005. The sur- plus will be used to help pay for Michigan's 2007 budget. Greg Bird, a spokesman for the State Budg- et Office, said the request is not only an increase in funding, but it indicates increased attention toward higher education. "Given the economic situation we have, I think it's a fair amount of money," Bird said. "I think it sends a good message that higher education is a priority to the governor." University President Mary Sue Coleman agreed in a statement about the increase yes- terday. "Governor Granholm's proposal for a 2 percent funding increase for higher educa- tion is welcome news after the last several years of reductions," Coleman said."I'm also encouraged that the governor will recognize the distinct role of our research universities as important contributors to the state's future." Michigan is in a dire economic state. The state had the nation's highest unemployment rate in December at 7.3 percent. "There's an indication that while there may be growth, it may be very small," Bird said. "As to what that means specifically for the future of higher education, that remains to be seen at this point." The Legislature has until October to approve the budget. During that time, rev- enue estimates may fall short or the state could face bad economic news. The University receives 28 percent of its general fund from state appropriations and 58 percent from tuition and fees. The University has worked to trim its costs recently in the face of state budget cuts. Since 2004, the University has cut $57.3 mil- lion from its internal budget. Professor nabs three classical Grammys Prof William Bolcom won Best Classical Contemporary Composition, Classical Album and Choral Performance By Kimberly Chou Daily Arts Writer After Wednesday night's 48th Grammy Awards, Prof. William Bolcom is in the same predicament as fellow winners Kanye West and U2: Where to put the little gold phonograph? "We have a crowded house - I'm trying to think of where to put it," the composer said. His album "Songs of Innocence and of Experience," inspired by the poetry of Wil- liam Blake, won Grammy awards for Best Classical Contemporary Composition, Best Classical Album and Best Choral Perfor- mance. "It'd be kind of corny to put it on the man- tle, but maybe I will," he said. "Some people put it in the bathroom - I haven't thought of that." Bolcom was not present at the awards ceremony. The majority of music awards in minor categories are presented in a private ceremony earlier in the day. One of the proj- ect's choral directors was in attendance and picked up the awards. "The only reason to go would to be seen on television, and they didn't do any of the non- pop things (on television)," Bolcom said. Although he did not say whether he expect- ed the win, Bolcom joked: "Well, everybody else seemed to have. I just sort of found that I'd wait and see what happens." More than 20 years after the debut of "Songs of Innocence and of Experience" at the Stuttgart Opera in Germany in 1984, Bolcom recorded the piece with the Univer- sity Symphony Orchestra, featuring promi- nent local guest choruses and soloists. It was recorded the weekend the renovat- ed Hill Auditorium reopened to the public in 2004. Since its release, the record has gained attention from the recording industry to match the praise circulating in the inter- national classical music-community. Orchestras around the world have per- formed the album. Bolcom said the next performance is scheduled for April in Min- neapolis. Though the album was fully finished in 1984, Bolcom had been composing material for the work for more than 20 years. "I started actually (working on) things when I was 17," Bolcom said. "I knew that it would be something that I See GRAMMY, page 7 EMMA NOLAN-ABRAHAMIAN/Daily Michigan senior guard Daniel Horton attempts a layup at Crisler Arena last night. The Wolverines lost to the Buckeyes 85- 94. For full story, SEE SPORTS, PAGE 8. English returns to olrn M' lures assistant coach away from Chicago Bears to be defensive coordinator By Jack Herman Daily Sports Editor Ron English is back. Just three days after signing a contract to become the Chicago Bears' second- ary coach, Michigan assistant coach Ron English has reportedly decided to return to Ann Arbor to assume the duties of defensive coordinator, the Bears announced yesterday. The Michigan athletic department confirmed English will be back at the University, but it would not specify in what capacity. English could not be reached for comment. For the past three years, English served as the Wolverines' defensive backs coach. He garnered acclaim for both his recruiting and coaching abili- ties. In 2004, cornerback Marlin Jackson and safety Ernest Shazor both received all-America honors, making English the first coach in NCAA history with two defensive backs earning the award in the same year. The status of current defensive coordi- nator Jim Herrmann remains uncertain. See ENGLISH, page 7 Law student files complaint against 'Vagina' IDOLIZED Congress amends law that limits aid to drug offenders Activist Pierce Beckham claims Monologues casting policy is discriminatory By Carissa Miller Daily Staff Reporter This year's production of "The Vagina Monologues" is set to hit policy and the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. "Whereas my identity as a male might exclude me for cer- tain reasons from The Vagina Monologues, (the organizers') decision to exclude certain people was impermissible, given the University's poli- cies," Beckham said. As a longtime student activ- ist and former chief justice of Reach shortened on law designed to smoke out drug offenders By Gabe Nelson Daily Staff Reporter This is your financial aid award. This is your financial aid award on drugs. Any questions? dents - those attending imme- diately after high school - will be unaffected by the changes to the policy because any drug offense committed in their past would have occurred while they were minors. Minors's cannot be stripped of their aid unless they were tried as adults, according to Tom Angell, campaigns director for Students for Sensible Drug Policy. But the change will benefit