The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Thursrav Novemhr 13 0.2006 - 7A { MCAT From page IA But he cautioned students to take the test as soon as they felt ready. "Keep in mind that it does hurt students to take the MCAT later," Gay said. "Taking the test at the last minute could be detrimental to a student's acceptance at top-rated medical schools." Students said they appreciate the additional testing dates. Taking the MCAT in April has conflicted with students' regular course loads in the past. "I plan on taking the MCAT in mid-May," Kinesiology junior Megan Colella said. "Taking the test then will prevent me from hav- ing to worry about taking finals at the same time." The digital format means stu- dents will get theirtestresults twice as quickly. With the old MCAT, scores took 60 days to arrive. Now students only need wait 30. Gay said the change will make it easier for medical schools to pro- cess the results quicker, which will make the admissions process much smoother. "The new MCAT is much more cost-effective," said Jeffrey Mean- za, director of graduate programs for the Princeton Review. "It spreads out the volume of test tak- ers and makes it easier to avoid the administrative hassle." While virtually no changes are being made to the content of the MCAT, students still worry about the new format. "It's nice to have a shorter exam, but I am concerned with having to look at a computer screen for five hours," Colella said. Gay recommended that students prepare for the change of format. He said a portion of preparation time should be dedicated to taking practice tests on the computer. "Students don't want to be ner- vous going into the test," he said. "They should be prepared for how the test will look, what will happen if they want to change an answer and how to transition between screens." Test preparation services like the Princeton Review are supplement- ing their review sessions to accom- modate the new format. Meanza said his company will still offer the same test preparation program, but some of the practice tests will intro- duce students to the new format. Gay said factors such as volunteer work and extracurricular activities were still essential for awell-round- ed application to medical school. The new MCAT should accelerate the admissions process, but it won't change at least one thing. "I don't think the new MCAT will increase or diminish the impor- tance of the MCAT in the admis- sions process," he said. GREEKS From page IA to usher in a new era of campus diversity: a white native of West Bloomfield, he wore a backward Michigan baseball cap, a polo shirt and a single earring in his left lobe during an interview last week. But that's the role he has found himself in. Last Monday, Averbuch was inaugurated as president of the Interfraternity Council, the Univer- sity's largest governing Greek body. Over the next year, he will direct the council through the aftermath of Proposal 2, a ballot initiative that banned the use of affirmative action by public institutions in Michigan. The passage of similar initiatives in Washington and California has led to dramatic declines in minority enrollment at those states' flagship public universities. Two days before he took office, Averbuch reflected on the Halloween party's success in the dim orange light of the Michigan Union basement. "All of our big parties in the past have been the same," he said. "A lot of people, dancing-it was like going through the routines. When there's new people, people get excited to go out and make a new friend." He sat about 15 feet away from the area in the Union that many call the "Black Hole" because of its perceived status as a meeting place for black students. "Even though we're diverse, people think there's a lot of segre- gation," Averbuch said. But events like the last month's party, he said, can fix that. "It's like integration," he said. "(People no longer say) it's one group of people over here, and one group of people over here." In an interview two weeks ear- lier, Seriguchi was more explicit. "The thing is that minor- ity groups here tend to stay with each other," he said. "It's sort of a hesitant attitude on their part to expand their horizons. I think the Greeks could play a larger role in changing that." The affirmative action ban has made these issues more immediate. "It's crunch time now, game time," Seriguchi said, leaning for- ward in his seat. "People are seeing that now we definitely have a real thing against us." A BRIEF HISTORY No matter how good the inten- tions, cross-council coordination can be a thorny task. Since the University's first two fraternities were founded in 1845, the Greek system has evolved into a complex and layered institution. Today, it includes nearly 60 chapters and more than 2,000 members. At its head are four councils, each defined by a specific set of chapters, mission statements and goals. Averbuch's Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Asso- ciation are the largest. Together, they encompass the majority-white fraternities and sororities whose large houses populate the east and west borders of campus. As late as 1959, some IFC frater- nities had constitutional clauses barring members of certain races. The Multicultural Greek Council is the newest. Its University branch was founded in2002. Itnowconsists of culture-specific fraternities and sororities with such as Lambda Phi Epsilon, an Asian-interest house. Apart from their smaller size, MGC chapters differ mostly in their recruiting efforts, said Sejal Tailor, the group's president. While IFC and Panhell directly oversee their houses' recruitment, multicultural chapters prescribe to more individualized guidelines and rules. The smallest and most fre- quently misunderstood council is Seriguchi's National Pan-Hellenic Council, which existed as the Black Greek Association until 2003. On a national level, NPHC was founded in 1930 on the campus of the historically black Howard Uni- versity in Washington. It united five historically black Greek houses. Over the next 70 years, it added four more, forming what the group calls the "Divine Nine." "We all have the same purpose, in a sense: to uplift our communi- ty," said Tony Saunders, president of the University's branch. The need for campus support is less visible than it was when Alpha Phi Alpha, the council's first chap- ter, was founded on Cornell's cam- pus in 1906 inresponseto lynchings and beatings of blacks, he said. But it does persist. "We still see the struggles (black students) face in terms of a support system on campus,"he said. "There's definitely still a hole there." Because the council emphasizes history and requires a time com- mitment on par with that of a four- credit class, its chapters are usually include 10 to 14 members, most of them black. "Ninety-nine percent of the time it will be majority African-Ameri- cans, due to people's fathers or grandfathers or grandmothers who were part of the council," Saunders said. "The history relates to them directly, so they feel more of an attachment to it than others might." Despite their culture-specific focuses, University policy prohib- its MGC and NPHC chapters from discriminating on the basis of race or ethnicity. But even ifthey could, executives said, they wouldn't. Most chapters consider fostering diversity a cen- tral tenet of their missions. "We don't want people to feel weird, like we're not approach- able," Saunders said. "Historically, we're African American; however, we want to serve the campus com- munity as a whole." Tailor, a member of a tradition- ally South Asian sorority, agreed. "There was a white girl in my sorority," she said. "It doesn't matter." CONNECTED COUNCILS When the four councils mesh, it is usually on the fourth floor of the Union in the cramped office of Greek Life. Amid countless lettered banners and brochures, fundraisers are planned, volunteers are coordinat- ed and friendships are forged. This is the hub of campus Greek activity. From a shared office, Mary Beth Seiler and Chris Haughee, the director and assistant director of Greek Life, advise recruitment efforts, maintain alumni connec- tions and channel the unending stream of Greek issues. With them, B.J. Harmon, a third- year law student, specifically advises the MGC and the NPHC. As anunder- graduate at Columbia University he was a member of an NPHC chapter and helped establish that school's Multicultural Greek Council. For Greeks, the office is like a bridge to the University. It con- nects them to it, but it doesn't con- trol their activities. During an interview two weeks ago, Seiler held a neat yellow legal pad fullofbulleted talkingpoints.She was eager to discuss her office's role in helping bridge cultural divides. "I've always felt that our Greek community can be the model for diversity on this campus," she said. But real progress has been limited to recent years. "It really wasn't until we got this space up here on the fourth floor (seven years ago) that we really started functioning together as a Greek community," she said. It was then that the University started providing its standard ben- efits package to council advisers. Until then, they had been compen- sated entirely by alumni donations and students' membership dues. The move signaled a shift in Greeks' role on campus, Seiler said. It acknowledged them as a legitimate entity and lent the sys- tem credibility. Along with a new sense ofrespon- sibility to the University, the sepa- rate councils now shared physical space. Proximity bred familiarity. "If you start to see yourself as a community when you first join, it's only goingto get better," Seiler said. When students interact on a per- sonal level, barriers crumble, Seiler said. Her office seeks to encourage this. But still, she said, it is up to the students how and when they want to interact. Forcing partnerships and inter- action would take away from the individualistic nature of the coun- cils, a vital aspect of Greek life, Seiler said. "That would be trying to make everyone the same," she said. "We don't do that." Still, the Greek system isn't sat- isfied with the status quo. the michigan daily WAL EN EXECUTIVE RENTAL YOU bring your suitcase and we provide every- thing else. Flexible leases. Avail. Dec. 741-9300. FALL '07. 6 bdrm. 1209 Packard. Free laundry, Prkg. $2700/mo. 323-7198. FALL '07. 6 bdrm. @ 502 Catherine. 5 bdrm. @ 524 S. Fourth Ave. Call 734-207-3520. 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Dan 649-7009 or danschul@umich.edu CHILDCARE IN ANN ARBOR. Caring, qualified person to care for a 2-year-old boy 2-3 days/wk. 10am-6pm. West side of A2. (734) 332-3362. EXPERIENCED, NON-SMOKING NANNY for 4-year-old boy in our Burns Park home. Mon.-Fri. 9-lt:30ain and Sun./9-lpm. College/Graduate stu- dents welcome. 734-678-8861. Please leave message. SEEKING AN EXPERIENCED, re- sponsible nanny to take care of our two children (6 & 4 yrs.) in our home. If in- terested, please call 622-3596. SITTER WANTED FOR 2 kids. Mon.- Fri. 11:45-3:30pm. forJan. 973.2010. AKC FEMALE YORKIE, AKC regis- tered, very thick Black and Golden Color with excellent black points eyes. He comes with health guarantee, up to- date shots and worming, very lovable socialized. Vet checked and health cer- tificate. He will make you a wonderful pet and companion. 5tbs. grown and for more info. you can contact me via email karenintcoltd@yahoo.com VISIT LONDON ENGLAND 2007 Spring Break! $599/person. 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Someone feels like being very gen- erous to you. Relationships can be sweet in an intimate, caring way. GEMINI (May 21to June 20) You might be in love with someone now. Something makes you feel very affectionate toward a loved one. In fact, it's easy to idolize this person. CANCER (June 21to July 22) If you have an opportunity to help a co-worker or someone related to your job, then do so. Never miss an opportu- nity to do a kindness. (Kindness is the most important thing.) LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) Your creative vibes are hot today! Love, romance and social times can shine. Working with children is reward- iag. VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) This is an excellent day to ponder how you can make where you live look more beautiful. Buy something lovely for your home. Alternatively, buy a gift for afam- ily member. Spread the joy! LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) If you look around you today, you might be surprised to discover just how much love there is in your daily life. Be open to this. Be friendly with siblings and neighbors. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) A luxurious purchase will please you today. You might want to be generous to someone else as well. This is a good day for business and commerce. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22to Dec. 21) Your idealism is aroused. You feel very tender-hearted about a certain situ- ation or a particular person. If you can help someone today, you will. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) Solitude in beautiful surroundings will please you today. Why not step back a little so that you can regroup? (You need to know what you're doing.) AQUARIUS (Jan. 20to Feb. 18) Conversations with friends are very heartwarming today. People like you; you like them. This is a great day to socialize with others. Treat someone to coffee or lunch. PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) You might be ina positionto persuade someone in authority to be merciful or compassionate toward someone else in need. If you have the power to do this, do it! YOU BORN TODAY You're active and dynamic. You have a marvelous sense of humor - generally quite dry. You make people laugh. You often spring surprises on others. (You love this.) Whatever you do, you do passion- ately. You are forever childlike. You work hard to prepare for anything you consider important. Expect some changes this year, perhaps a significant as in 1998. Birthdate of Ben Stiller, actor/writer; Mark Twain, author/humorist; Winston Churchill, statesman/Nobel Prize win- ner. BILLS GOT YOU DOWN? NEED A LOAN TO GET YOU UP? CALL US NOW FOR EXPERT AS- SISTANCE? 1-877-863-0761. GOOD & BAD CREDIT WELCOME. DRUNK DRIVING DEFENSE. $500 and all other traffic matters call David Bower, P.C. at 313-333-0309. PRIVATE TUTORING FOR LSAT, LAW SCHOOL, BAR EXAM My credentials: - perfect 180 on LSAT - Michigan Law graduate (3.85 GPA) - licensed attorney - 14 years of teaching experience - hundreds of delighted students 734.996.2861 www.TESTGURU.com Arbor Networks is currently looking to fill several part-time positions. Prefer to hire students in their Junior or Senior year. Part-time employees will be assigned to various engineering or QA teams. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: $10.00/HR. MICHIGAN TELEFUND J 3B O R now hiring. Great Resume Builder! Ap- ply @ telefund.umicli.edu or 763-4400. N W K ) 2006 King Features Syndicate, Inc.