Adlooksla.- iv- 46P 4#0 ell ic i an at Ann Arbor, Michigan Friday, November 7, 2008 michigandaily.com MICHIGAN 81, SAGINAW VALLEY STATE 55 ACADEMICS FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES 'Ugives athletes first pick of classes Effort to accommodate game, practice schedules meets mixed reaction from students, faculty By TREVOR CALERO Daily Staff Reporter Between traveling for games, early-morning prac- tices and other responsibilities, student-athletes at the University often have trouble making space in their schedules for classes. Starting this winter, athletes will have class reg- istration priority over all students except those with disabilities. The policy was enacted by University Provost Teresa Sullivan. As it. stands now, students are placed into brackets based on credit hours, and athletes have priority atthe top of their designated group, said Phil Hanlon, the Univer- sity's vice provust for academic and budgetary affairs. But because of time constraints, many athletes still have trouble slotting classes into their schedule, and the new policy places them at the front of the pack. "It's an effort to be sure that they can register for the classes tobe able to graduate in atimely manner," Hanlon said. Hanlon said the policy will also help student-athletes meet academic benchmarksinandated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. If they can't register for certain classes, they could lose their eligibility. LSA senior Skylar Andrews, a member of the var- sity women's soccer team, said the new policy could the many student-athletes who need to take an extra year to graduate. "Every student-athlete on this campus has dealt with this issue," she said. "If student-athletes were able to get into some of these classes that fit into their schedule and fit into their requirements for graduation, I think a lot See ATHLETES, Page 7 F CLIF REEDER/Daily Freshman Ben Cronin shoots a fadeaway jumpshot over Saginaw Valley State players during Thursday's 81-55 exhibition victory at Crisler Arena. It was Michigan's first game of the season. Second ha i shows 'Al' ing up By ANDY REID Daily Sports Editor There's a reason Michigan men's bas- ketball coach John Beilein described his team's only preseason game as a "dress rehearsal." It was his finallook at the team before the season. He expected there to be some kinks to work out, and there were plenty. The Wolverines' offense went on an almost seven-minute scoring drought. Their defense gave Saginaw Valley State good looks early on, while Michi- gan was still getting a feel for the game. The Cardinals outrebounded Michigan, using second-chance oppor- tunities off offensive rebounds to build a lead big enough to silence the crowd. And the Wolverines shot 59 percent from the free throw line. And that was just the first half. Last night, the Crisler Arena crowd sat in disbelief as the Wolverines had to come from behind to take a four- point halftime lead against a Division II school. The cautious optimism many Michigan fans carried into this year seemed to deflate with every Saginaw Valley State bucket. But that's when the "dress rehearsal" became more like the real thing. The Wolverines outscored the Cardinals 61-30 in the game's final 23 minutes. An old man sitting behind me in the see a team progress during one game. standswas growling about missed shots That happened last night. Something and errantpasses during the first half. He clicked with about three minutes to go was upsetthatyoung players like fresh- in the first half. Here's what I saw: man guard Zack Novak were getting sub- Manny Harris became Manny stantial playing time while sophomore Harris. Although he looked timid guard Kelvin Grady and junior forward during the first half, you could see DeShawn Sims, who were starters last the change in his game in the second year, came off the bench. He was upset frame. He knew when to drive, when the offense didn't click from the get-go. to shoot and when to pass. He used his He was upset the Wolverines'beacon of incredible slashing abilities to crash hope last season, Manny Harris, shot just the defense into the paint and open four field goals in the first half. up 3-pointers for players like big men Calm down. It's the preseason. Zach Gibson and Sims, a skill that will Michigan got better last night, and be essential if the team is goingto do that's all anyone can ask for. any damage in the Big Ten. There are few times when you can See REID, Page 7 CAMPUS CRIME Man wanted in string of campus home invasions TELESCOPE TECH New lounge policy unfair, groups say Dorm-room theft victims left doors open, police say By TREVOR CALERO Daily StaffReporter Police are searching for a man who is the main suspect in four residence hall room invasions over the past two days. Rick Francisco Ramon, 33, is the main suspect in the inci- dents, the most of recent of which occurred between 7:20 and 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Alice Lloyd and South Quad residence halls, according to Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Diane Brown. Brown said the suspect has taken advantage of doors left . partially open. In one instance, a student returned to find a man still in the room, Brown said. Two of the break-ins occurred Wednesday evening in East Quad and West Quad between the hours of 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. In both cases, laptops were stolen from unattended rooms where the door had been left open. Ramon, who is not affiliated with the University, has a war- rant out for his arrest after he failed to appear in court. He was arrested in Battle Creek for retail fraud on April 24 earlier this year. He was last seen wear- ing a black, puffy jacket and carry- RAMON ing a black backpack, Brown said. The crime alert describes him as between 5-5 and 5-8 in height. Anyone who either sees this man or has information about other home invasions is encour- aged to call the Department of Public Safety immediately at (734) 763-1131. Students are encouraged to close their doors and not let in strangers enter residence halls. Housing restricting how often groups can use lounges By CHARLES GREGG-GEIST Daily StaffReporter When the United Asian Amer- ican organizations held its usual weeklymeetingWednesdaynight, the Yuri Kochiyama Lounge in South Quad was occupied by a single piano player. A sign on the door directed students looking for the meeting downstairs to a room of the lounge, where the group has held most of its meet- ings for the last 10 years, in South Quad's basement. The group was forced to move by a new University Housing policy limiting how often some student groups can reserve resi- dence hall spaces during a term. Housing spokesman Peter Logan said the rule was imple- mented over the summer to ensure that dorm residents could take full advantage of their lounges during peak hours. The new rule does not apply to See LOUNGES, Page 7 Some still euphoric after Obama victory Campus leaders see opportunity in win By THOMAS CHAN and CAITLIN SCHNEIDER Daily StaffReporters With Election Day in the rear- view mirror, students no longer havethe21-month-longcampaign to captivate their attention. And while some students engaged in the campaign finally have time to catch their breath, others feel their work is just getting started. "In the last 48 hours, I've got- ten about four hours of sleep," said LSA junior Sam Marvin, who coordinated President-Elect Barack Obama's campaign for the University's chapter of College Democrats. "Itook ashortnaplast night at about 5 a.m. on a deflated air mattress in the Obama offices, See ELECTION, Page 7 Wi Ut * - SAM WOLSON/Daily Engineering junior Matt Anderson shows off a gold mirror that will be used in his astronomical research-grade infrared camera. He hopes the technology could be used in an infrared telescope satellite several years from now. WEATHER HI: 44 TOMORROW LO: 36 GOT A NEWS TIP? Call 734-763-2459 or e-mail newsoimichigandailv.com and let us know. ON THE DAILY BLOGS The post-election beard growing THEGAME.BLOGS.MICHIGANDAILY.COM INDEX NEWS ...................................2 ARTS..................5 Vol. CXIX, No.47 SUDOKU....... ........3 CL A S IIEDS...................6 ©5 heicga y OPINION............... 4 SPORTS........................... 8 &.