Class has begun: The Arts Guide 101 The B-Side Iic idpan hi Ann Arbor, Michigan Thursday, September 4, 2008 SEMESTER IN DETROIT After hiring first leader, program lays plans Detroit-based urban studies and internship program seeking students for inaugural semester By BETH WITTENSTEIN Daily Staff Reporter The Semester in Detroit project moved one step closer to sending students to the Motor City in Janu- ary. The University recently appointed Craig Regester as the associate staff director for the program, which will intertwine a community-based internship and an urban studies course. Before his arrival, University students were respon- sible for all the organization's duties. Since his hiring, Regester baa already set up a web- site listing additional information about the program, which will house students in Wayne State University residence halls and give them access to the school's facilities. "It will provide an opportunity for students that seriously want to immerse themselves in the city in a way that wasn't possible until now," said Regester, who, aside from University students, is the lone staff member involved with Semester in Detroit. Regester, who began work Tuesday, said the group has contacted more than 300 Detroit-based orga- nizations in hopes of placing University students in internship programs. Regester said he hopes to have at least two students interning at each location. The program currently offers three elective courses for program participants - "Detroit Connec- tions" taught by Nick Tobier, an assistant professor in the School of Art and Design; a creative writing course titled "Writing in Detroit" taught by RC Lec- turer Lolita Hernandez; and a theater course taught See DETROIT, Page 7A In the biggest speech of her political career, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin accepted the Republican vice presidential nomination and criticized Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential nominee Palm accepts VP nomination McCain's running mate touts reform agenda in acceptance speech, responds to critics By ANDY KROLL Daily News Editor ST. PAUL, Minn. - In her first major address to the nation, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin accepted the Republi- can Party's nomination for vice president and wasted little time going on the offensive against Democrats and their presidential candidate Barack Obama. The 44-year-old Alaska governor has dominated the Republican National Convention's headlines this week, as uncertainties swirled about her political re- cord and the pregnancy of her 17-year-old daughter, Bristol. Many in the GOP hoped for a confident ap- "Americans expect us to go to Washington for the right reasons, and not just to mingle with the right people." Sarah Palin, governor ofAlaska and the Republican party nominee for vice president pearance by Palin that would lay to rest any concerns about her ability to serve as John McCain's running mate. Palin used her speech to answer critics, but not before attacking Obama, for whom she reserved her sharpest rhetoric. Having previously served as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, (population: about 10,000), she played off her small-town image when criticizing the Illinois senator and his campaign trail speeches. "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'com- munity organizer,' except that you have actual respon- sibilities," she said. "I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are lis- tening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't lis- tening.' Before a crowd of limited government-loving GOP See PALIN, Page 7A * CAMPAIGN 2008 * RETHINKING 'REPUBLICAN' With change dominating the national agenda, conservatives -imagine 'inclusive' future for GOP By ANDY KROLL Daily News Editor SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Despite her support for gay rights and being pro- choice - stances that most Republicans don't take - Kayla Van Cleave considers herself one. She leans conservative on just about everything else, she says, but even then, the GOP establishment has hardly welcomed her with open arms. But after spending a week here par- ticipating in the GOP Youth Convention, Van Cleave, a high school student from Tomah, Wisc., says she now recognizes what it'll take to work her way into the Republican Party. "I had a conversation with one of the adults here, and he was talking about how, you know, sometimes even if you don't feel accepted by the traditional GOP you have to kick down the door," she said. "You have to make yourself be accepted. And I am all for kicking down the door." If young Republicans take anything away from this week's GOP Youth Con- vention, it will be the message that the only way to rebuild the struggling Repub- licanPartyis to open the party ranks from within - or else kick them down - to geta broader, more ideologically diverse party including people like Van Cleave. , Throughout the youth convention's events, current and former politicians, political organizers and prominent con- servative thinkers have bemoaned the rigid guidelines that have come to govern the Republican Party's membership and, in turn, contribute to its fall from power. "Quite frankly, ifyoulook at the Repub- lican Party today, at the state that we're in, it's largely become exclusionary," said Dan Crowley, a McCain campaign orga- nizer speaking at a Wednesday morning event themed "Building America's Next Generationof Leaders." Before about25 high school and college students from across the country, Crowley said the core principles of Republicanism - "limited government, individual lib- erty and individual responsibility" - are See REPUBLICANS, Page 7A SAMWOLS5N/Daily Studio 4 nightclub's liquor license was suspended this week as a penalty for state policy violations. At Studio 4, party goes on without the alcohol College political groups ramp up election efforts With the downtown club's liquor license suspended for this week, water's a well drink By SARA LYNNE THELEN Daily StaffReporter Studio 4's first Saturday of the fall semester will host its usual dance night, but with one small catch: water will be the only drink on tap. "We're doing teen night on Saturday night, which the high school kids love because it gives them an outlet to come and let loose for three hours," said Studio 4 manager Jeff Mangray. "The only thing we serve is water, and we provide music for dancing and the kids have a great time." Tefn nights are one way the Fourth Street dance club is attempting to sustain revenue it expects to lose during the sus- pension of its liquor license from today to Sunday and on Thanksgiving weekend, from Nov. 27-29. The Michigan Liquor Control Commis- sion issued the suspension in July, along' with $2,200 in fees, as a penalty for vio- lations the club has accumulated over the past two years. Charges include illegal weapon possession, assault and battery, See STUDIO 4, Page 7A Dems to focus on voter registration, while GOP will press the issues By JULIE ROWE Daily StaffReporter When LSA senior Sam Marvin stopped two students at Maize Craze last weekend to ask if they were registered to vote, they told him they weren't U.S..citizens. But instead of heading off in search of Maize Craze giveaways, the two asked Marvin, a member of the College Demo- crats, what they could do to help Barack Obama get elected. "Most of the people I've talked to have already been for Obama, and their ques- tions are more 'How do I get involved?"' Marvin said. Armed with clipboards and voter regis- tration forms, the College Democrats have made their presence known on the Diag, at Meijer Madness, Artscapade, Escapade and the Taste of Michigan. They haven't" been passing out information on the Dem- ocratic presidential nominee - because, they say, they don't need to. "It's not really that hard of a sell around here," LSA senior Daniel Villamarin, vice chair of the College Democrats, said of the See GROUPS, Page7A STUDENT POLITICAL ORGANIZATION MASS MEETINGS College Democrats Sunday 4 pm, Pendleton Room, Michigan Union College Republicans Today 8 pm Henderson Room Michigan League TODAY'S HI:76 WEATHER LO: 64 GOT A NEWS TIP? Call 734-763-2459 or e-mail news@michigandaily.com and let us know. ON THE DAILY BLOGS U-M Flint sees huge rise in.freshmen enrollment MICHIGANDAILY.COM/THEWIRE INDEX NEWS....... . . 2A 'SUDOKU..........................SA Vol. CXVIV, No. 3 OPINION........ ........ . ....4A CLASSIFIEDS.. . ..........6A 02008TheMichigan Daily SPOtT. . . A THE B-Sl.... . michigandaily.cm S O T ............... A TH B- I E...,..... .....1 A