W$1iChilan4ai~ l Ann Arbor, Michigan Thursday, February 7, 2008 michigandailycom SIGNING DAY BRINGS 23 NEW WOLVERINES CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS Talks stall between 'U'GSIs GEO asked for 9 percent raises for each of next three years; University countered with offer of 2,percent yearly raises By JACOB SMILOVITZ Daily Staff Reporter With less than a month before the union's current contract expires, contract negotiations between the Graduate Employees' Organization and the Universi- ty's bargaining team have stalled. Over the course of negotiations, which began Dec. 6, GEO has most notably asked for salary increases and expanded health care for GSIs. The University's bargaining team, which includes four members of the academic human resources department and three faculty members, has rejected each of GEO's pay and health care proposals. Rackham student Colleen Woods, the lead negotia- tor for GEO, said the group has asked for a 9-percent salary increase each of the next three years. The Uni- versity responded with a counterproposal calling for a 2-percent increase per year in salary for GSIs. "It's a matter of negotiations," said University spokeswoman Kelly Cunningham about the salary increases. "It is also an indication of how much the university can appropriately adjust in making another offer." Doctoral student Patrick O'Mahen, a spokesman for GEO, said the union asked for this salary increase in order to better align GSI salaries with the cost of living in Ann Arbor. For a graduate student with no dependents, the University's Office of Financial Aid website estimates the cost of living in Ann Arbor at $15,980, not includingtuition and fees. Under their existingcontract, GSIs currently make $15,199 per, eight-month academic year, O'Mahen said. According to data provided by GEO, GSI salaries See CONTRACT, Page 3A CHANEL VON HABSBURG-LOTHRINGEN/Daily Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez announced 23 high school seniors signed National Letters of Intent to join the Michigan football program. The group included six offensive linemen and three athletes who had verbally committed to other schools. But the season's biggest prize, dual-threat quarterback Terrelle Pryor, remains uncommitted. CHAL L ENGeING PROPOSA L 2 Lawyes debate bans Sconstitutionality Plaintiffs want full trial to reexamine the legality of Prop. 2 By LINDY STEVENS Daily StaffReporter DETROIT - Lawyers presented their cases before Judge David Lawson yesterday in Federal District Court, arguing whether there should be a full trial examining arguments for and against Proposal 2, the ballot initia- tive passed in Nov. 2006 that banned the use of many forms of affirmative action in the state of Michigan. The case, Cantrell v. Granholm, seeks to overturn the ban, with the plaintiffs claiming it's unconstitu- tional. The complaint argues that Michigan colleges should be allowed to consider race and gender in their admissions processes. , There's no timeline for Lawson, who presided over the hearing, to make a decision on how the case will proceed. Lawson has the power to decide the constitutionality of Proposal 2 or send the case to a full trial. Before a full courtroom, attorney Margaret Nelson spoke on behalf of Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and the state of Michigan. She argued that Proposal 2 right- fully eliminates discrimination on the basis of race in college admissions processes. Nelson said those who hoped to overturn Proposal 2 by sending Cantrell v. Granholm to trial were seeking preferential treatment in the admissions process rather than pro- tection from discrimination. "They are looking to use a sword rather than a shield," Nelson said. Attorney Charles Cooper also defended the measure by saying the Equal Protection Clause, which is found in the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and seeks to protect individual rights at the state level, ensures the legality of Proposal 2. He said students would be judged on their ancestry rather than their merits if Proposal 2 were overturned. See HEARING, Page 7A INTERNATIONAL STUDENTSr Mich. Senate passes immigrant ID bill ANN ARBOR NIGHTLFE Popular A2 bar Leopold Bros. to close this summer Bill would allow legal immigrants to obtain state ID From staffand wire reports LANSING - The Michigan Sen- ate took a step yesterday toward reversing a law that prevents many legal immigrants from getting driv- er's licenses in Michigan. Bya28-9vote,theRepublican-led chamber approved a bill that would allow legal immigrants to get tem- porary licenses. Some Democrats voted against the measure because the state has become embroiled in a broader debate about whether it should quickly comply with upcom- ing requirements of the federal Real ID Act, a law aimed at stricter iden- tification measures in response to the 2001 terrorist attacks Some Democrats said the Real ID issue should be kept separate from a quick fix to allow legal immigrants to get behind the wheel. The mea- sure that passed yesterday is now headed to the Democrat-led House and is part of a package aimed at startingcompliance with Real ID. Some Democrats suppdrted the bill, however, saying it was impor- tant to move alongthe legislation so legal immigrants could resume get- ting licenses as soon as possible. "This is just the first step in the legislative process," said Sen. Michael Switalski, a Democrat from Roseville who voted in favor of the bill. "We need to get moving imme- diately." Republicans argued that Michi- gan should take more sweeping See BILL, Page 7A CRIME Police arrest man tied to near-campus shooting Co-owner cites increasing business expenses as reason for leaving By JILLIAN BERMAN Daily StaffReporter Come June, students planning on spending their Saturday nights at the bar drinking beer over a game of Battleship may be disap- pointed. Main Street's Leopold Bros:, a quirky bar known for its board games and popularity among graduate students has announced that it will leave Ann Arbor this summer. Todd Leopold, who owns the bar with his brother Scott, said they had to shut down because the costs of running a business in Ann Arbor simply became too great. "Our lease expires in the sum- mer and, essentially, the rent that they're asking for is more than we can afford," he said. Nick Easton, the owner of Millennium Club, said that he's lucky that he doesn't have to deal Bailey had been at large since Jan. 16 By LISA HAIDOSTIAN Daily News Editor The fourth suspect believed to be tied to an apartment robbery and fatal shooting near North Cam- pus last month was arrested Tues- day, police said. Michael Don Bailey was arrest- ed in his hometown of Ypsilanti around 5 p.m. Tuesday by members of the Ann Arbor Police Depart- s ment, AAPD Sgt. Ed Stuck said. Bailey had been at large since Jan. 16, when a group of four men broke into the home of University Engi- neering student Andrew Myrick. The attempted robbery turned fatal when one of the intruders - 29-year-old David Copeland - was shot and killed. More than a dozen shots were fired in the apartment, and police found a weapon similar to an AK-47 at the scene. Police have confirmed that Myrick was the shooter, but the Washtenaw Country Prosecutor's Office has not indicated whether the shooting will be ruled self defense and a justifiable homicide. Myrick, who was arraigned on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge, surrendered to police Jan. 24 and was released on personal bond. The two other suspects in the case, Derrick Howard and Davin Copeland - the slain suspect's brother - were arrested the day after the shooting and charged in connection to the robbery. They face a preliminary hearing next week on first-degree home invasion and felony firearm charges: Bailey is currently at Washtenaw County Jail pending arraignment, Stuck said. Leopold Bros., a popular Main Street bar, will close this summer. Todd Leopold, the co-owner of the bar, said high rent prices contributed tothe decision. with the rising rent costs of Ann Arbor. "I have an advantage in that I own the property because I don't have a monthly rent to pay," he said. "Obviously, in a town that has an upscale feel to it, and espe- cially with the University here, you've got a built-in audience so naturally you can command more rent." The Leopold 'brothers plan to continue distilling spirits in Den- ver. Rather than open another pub, though, they plan to whole- sale their products to retail shops along the West Coast and in Lon- don. Todd Leopold said Colorado is a better business location than Ann Arbor, because its unique See BAR, Page7A TODAY'S HI: 34 WEATHER LO: 25 GOT A NEWS TIP? Call 734-763-2459 or e-mail news@michigandaily.com and let us know. ON THE DAILY BLOGS Colbert, Conan and Stewart feud after taping MICHIGANDAILY.COM/THEPODIUM -INDEX N EW S................................2A SUDO KU...........................5A Vol. CXVIII, No.92 OPINION...........................4A CLASSIFIEDS... . .. A Q008The Michigan Daily SPORTS........... .......5A T HE B-SIDE................1B michigondailyccom a .