The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Monday, February 5, 2007 - 7A BENEFITS From page 1A The decision was released Fri- day. The ruling is the latest in a court battle that started after the passage of the same-sex marriage ban when Attorney General Mike Cox issued a ruling that said the ban also prohibited public institutions from granting benefits to the domestic partners of their employees. The Michigan chapter of the ACLU challenged the rul- ing, and a lower court ruled in its favor, saying the ban didn't apply to the benefits. But the appeals court over- turned that ruling. The decision could affect University employees whose same-sex partners currently receive benefits from the Uni- versity. When Michigan voters banned same-sex marriage in 2004, though, Falk and Scott began to worry that Scott could lose his coverage. Scott began looking for a job that would provide him with health benefits. He eventually found a job managing plant collections at the Matthaei Botanical Gar- dens and Nichols Arboretum, where he has worked since January 2006. Although Falk and Scott both have health care cover- age now as University employ- ees, said they find the court's decision troubling. "As a family, this makes us think about the state of Michigan differently," Falk said. "This is a state where our neighbors are students, and our students' parents feel that it's appropriate to turn around and take away our health ben- efits in order to satisfy their political desires." Scott said the decision has prompted him to question his opinion of the state of Michi- gan. "It was a kick in the gut," he said. "Myinitialreactionwas,'I hate this state.' I feared for the future and questioned my place as a resident of Michigan." According to a statement released Friday,.the American Civil Liberties Union plans to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court. Laurita Thomas, the Uni- versity's associate vice presi- dent for human resources, said in a statement that the Uni- versity supports the ACLU's efforts. She said the law permits the University to continue provid- ing benefits though the end of the 2007 calendar year. The University needs the benefits to hire and retain talented fac- ulty and staff members, she said. Scott Dennis, a senior asso- ciate librarian at the Universi- ty, said he and his partner Jim Etzkorn are frustrated and disappointed by the court's ruling. Dennis said he thought the 2004 amendment banning gay marriage contained intention- ally ambiguous wording. "I don't think most voters wanted to eliminate domestic partnership benefits," Den- nis said. "Most voters didn't understand that it would have this effect." Falk said he is pleased that the University filed an amicus brief in favor of the ACLU's law- suitbutthat it's importantforthe University to take swift action in dealing with the ruling. Many partners ofemployees will need time to look for jobs that offer the same benefits. "Now that we've reached this juncture, it's important that the University articulates how it will respond if the court rules against the domestic partnership policy," he said. "People's health benefits will be taken away, and it takes sev- eral months to finda new job." While Scott said he would like the University to do every- thing in its power to preserve the benefits, he said he recog- nizes its limitations. With the ACLU's appeal in limbo, Scott said he fears what lies ahead. "Somebody in the state thought it wouldbe a good idea for others not to have health benefits based on sexual ori- entation," he said. "My fear is that Michigan voters won't stop. Who knows what could be down the road?" IRAQ From page 1A there's no point in trying." DOING THEIRPART Dawood, president of the Chaldean Student Associa- tion, and Al-Joburi, president of the Iraqi Student Asso- ciation, said they hope to improve the condition of the Iraqi people. The two associations host- ed an event called "A Night in Babylon" this past December, complete with ethnic food, dancing and skits. The char- ity event raised money for the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, an organization that has paid for several Iraqi chil- dren to come to the U.S. and receive medical treatment at the University hospital. "One child that the PCRF helped lost his leg because of a roadside bomb," Al-Joburi said. "Another had his intes- tines blown out." The Palestine Children's Relief Fund aimstotreat Middle Eastern children who need spe- cialized surgery that's not avail- able intheirhomecountries. "We're given the names of children who need treatment by fieldworkers or soldiers," said Mike Lowe, an adminis- trative assistant for the group. "The kids can stay in the American hospitals as long as they need to." Dawood and Al-Joburi said they think the event was a good way to encourage orga- nizations to help more chil- dren in the future. "We have come together for a common theme of service to our people in our homeland and in America," Dawood said. PALMER From page 1A ity to a new catering program implementedlastSeptember. Previously, event planners could only order food from University Catering. Groups using Palmer Commons can now order food from compa- nies including Zingerman's, Classic Fare and Food Art. "We're getting positive feedback on the availability of all those catering choices," Disney said. "It gives people an opportunity to chose from many different price points and many different menu options." The University of Michi- gan Solar Car Team has begun GREEN ROOF to use Palmer Commons for From page 1A its weekly business meeting because of its high tech feel, door Activities Center, also saidBrian Ignaut, anEngineer- known as the Elbel Building, ing senior and project manager stands on the corner of Hill for the solar car team. and South Division streets. "From my perspective, it Green roofs are covered with reflects the culture of our plants and have a drainage sys- team," he said. tem to prevent damage to the If room rentals at Palm- roof. While conventional shin- er Commons weren't free, gle or tile roofs must be replaced though, the solar car team every 20 years, green roofs can would probably have looked last for more than 60 years elsewhere, Ignaut said. without maintenance, said Palmer Commons houses LSA junior Sarah Benatar, who conference rooms, atriums, an helped found the group last fall. auditorium, a classroom and a Green roofs provide buildings 3,200-square foot multi-pur- with insulation, retain water pose room. to prevent storm water runoff and filter pollutants like carbon dioxide out of the air. The green roof would cost about $23,000, Benatar said. If the Environmental Enthusiasts succeed in build- ing a green roof on the Elbel Building, it will be the first on campus. There are plans to build green roofs atop the Mott Children's and Women's Hos- pital and the newly designed Ross Business School, both under construction. Several other proposals to implement green roofs have been rejected because of the high cost, Bena- tar said. Joel Perkovich, a Rackham student who helped design the green roof, said mtvU has helped the Environmental Enthusiasts increase pub- lic awareness of the benefits of environmentally-friendly technology. Perkovich said he is happy to see an idea with great envi- ronmental and societal benefit get out of academia and into a more mainstream medium like mtvU. The judges at mtvU will decide the winner of the contest in March. They will select a winner based on creativity and how effec- tively the project would limit global warming and conserve resources. The Environmental Enthu- siasts' proposal was chosen as one of 10 finalists from a field of more than 100 applicants. Other finalists include a team from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that hopes tobuild a solar-powered biodiesel processing and fill- ing station and a team from the University of Massachu- setts at Amherst that wants to fill batteries with the energy collected from exercisers rid- ing a stationarybike. People can vote for their favorite proposal at ecocolleg- echallenge.com. If the Environmental Enthusiasts get the opportu- nity to convert the roof of the Elbel building, the installation will begin at the end of April and would take about a week. After five months of watering, the roof would be self-main- taining, Benatar said. If the Environmental Enthusiasts don't win the mtvU contest, Benatar said the group plans ask the Uni- versity for funding for their project. Although the technology is proven, people are hesitant to set up green roofs because their use isn't yet widespread in the United States, Perkov- ich said. Still, the technology isstart- ing to catch on, he said. "You're starting to see the pendulum turn the other way," Perkovich said. the michigan daily EXECUTIVE RENTAL YOU bring NO M your suitcase & we provide everything else. Flexible lease, avail. immed. 741-9300 annarborapartments.net FALL 2007 RENTALS. Eff., 1 & 2 bdrm. apts. Rents range from $650-$1125. Heat & water paid for most. Most have prkg. avail. for addi- A tional charge. Please visit our website for more info: cappomanagement.com or call 734-996-1991. NOW T FIRST AND LAST Month Free! $300 moves you in, lots of amenities. For Going fast! Great westside location' New N close to downtown. 734-663-8463. Quality an HOUSE FOR 4/6, 852 Brookwood. our listin $2300/mo. Prkg., porch, wshr./dryer, dish wshr., garage, & 1g. bdrms. 248-214-8708. w' HOUSES FALL 07' STUDIOS Only I left!!! cated on I Extra Large 6 BDRM.!!! Realty, 734 Furnished. Dishwasher. Parking. visit www. Washer & Drying Included. (734) 668.1100. 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Go to www.iroquoishutel.com and fill out ar online application or contact Marti a 906-643-8293 for further information. AFTER SCHOOLCHILD care. 3:30-( or 7. Mon.-Fri. or as available. Driver errands for 2 girls, 13 and 16. Non- smkr., must have own transport, start. ing by March 1. $12/ hour. Contac Lisa @ 734-276-0526 or timandlisabell@comcast.net BABYSITTER FOR 4 mo. old infan needed I day/wk. Tues.-Fri. & I Fri. o Sat./mo. Flex. hrs. to fit student's sched ule. Must have own transportation Call Leigh Ann 734-677-5820. FULL TIME BABYSITTER needed Nonsmkr. Email zeinshammahalaol.com UBLETS, & Rmmte(s). List se FREE! All Cities & Areas. -7368 or www.sublet.coni For Monday, Feb. 5, 2007 ARIES (March 21to April 19) Discussions with co-workers might be intense today; in part, this is because equipment breakdowns create confusion and extra work. Just cope as best you can. Avoid arguments. TAURUS (April 20to May 20) Parents need to be extra patient with children today. Similarly, lovers and romantic partners should be extra patient with each other. This is because emo- tions are very intense today. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Avoid intense discussions with family members or partners. People think they know best today, and they want to make over others or improve them. (Nobody likes this.) CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Even though you see better ways of doing things, others might resist your recommendations. Don't take this per- sonally. A good idea does not always sell itself. (Them's the breaks.) LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) You can be extravagant, especially when spending for children, gifts or fun and pleasure-loving occasions. Don't be too obsessed about trying to do this today. Relax. VIRGO (Aug. 23to Sept. 22) You have sudden urges and impulses today that seem to grab you by the throat. Deal with your feelings honestly. They have less power over you if you don't hide from them. LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) In a strange way, today you're better able to go inside yourself and find out what you really want. This is important. Once you know what you want, then you know what to aim for. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) Be careful not to get involved in using guilt or jealousy to manipulate some- body else. Even though you're deter- mined to get your way, operate above- board and take the high road. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22to Dec. 21) Avoid disagreements with bosses and parents. People are entrenched in their views today! (And there are none so deaf as those who are wearing headphones.) CAPRICORN (Dec. 221t Jan. 19) Avoid religious and political argu- ments today. People have strong urges to try to convince others or reform them. "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!" AQUARIUS (Jan. 20to Feb. 18) It's OK if you don't want to lend someone something today. Everyone wants to hold on to whatever they have. It's just that kind of day. PISCES (Feb. 19to March 20) Conversations with parents, bosses, partners and close friends might be unusually intense today. Situations could force emotional confrontations. This is not a good day for this sort of thing, because feelings are running too high. YOU BORN TODAY They broke the mold after they made you. You're defi- nitely an individualist of the first order. You're extremely intelligent and well- spoken. You're also convincing, espe- cially when you mean business. (Look out!) You never hesitate to express your opinions. The year ahead is exciting because it is full of fresh possibilities and new avenues. Birthdate of: Jennifer Jason Leigh, actress; Laura Linney, actress; Barbara lershey, actress. Call 734-761-2680 Universitytowers-micom MAY LEASES AVAILABLE!!! I & 2 bdnrs. on central campus. 741-9300. annarborapartments.net MCKINLEY TERRACE 1 & 2 bdrm. avail. Spring/Fall 2007. FREE winter shuttle, furn., heat & prkg. 741-9657. 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