The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Friday, April 10, 2009 - 7 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom Friday, April 10, 2009 - 7 Students abroad in Italy unaffected by earthquake Kim proves he's still in charge Limping slightly, North Korean leader attends meeting of country's parliament "- University officials report no students attending schools near disaster zone By MALLORY JONES Daily StaffReporter While the ground violently shook and buildings collapsed during a 6.3 magnitude earth- quake in Italy on Monday, Michi- gan students studying abroad kept sleeping. According to The New York Times, the earthquake in L'Aquila killed 150 people and has left 40,000-50,000 people homeless. But Michigan students studying abroad in Italy were not near the epicenter and their experiences remain unaffected, officials from the University's Office of Interna- tional Programs and students in Italy report. After the earthquake, the OIP made sure that all Michigan stu- dents in Italy were safe by con- tacting program coordinators, Nicole LeBlanc, assistant direc- tor of the OIP, said. "That's one of the first things we do," LeBlanc said. "We always monitor global events and make sure everybody's alright." School of Art & Design junior Claire Harold is living and study- ing in Milan, which is about 380 miles from the disaster zone. She THEATER From Page 1 campaign that calls for assistance from the Ann Arbor community. The Performance Network hopes to raise $20,000 from both old and new community support- ers. For every dollar raised, the Performance Network will match the contribution with money from a $20,000 grant raised by leading community supporters and the Performance Network's board of directors, she said. To get the word out, Milarch said the Performance Network is taking advantage of every avail- ableresource itcan. Milarch added that the campaign calls on old and new sponsors alike to make any contribution that they can. "We've had everything from a dollar to $750 gifts," she said. According to Milarch, as of 1 p.m.on Thursday,the Performance Network had raised $4,900. said she was unaware of the earth- quake until the U.S. Embassy sent an e-mail notifying U.S. citizens abroad. Harold said although she did not need any type of aid, she was surprised at the lack of direct communication between the stu- dents and the University. "The University has not con- tacted me or anyone else I have talked to for that matter," she said in an e-mail interview. "I was told they would in a time like this." LeBlanc said the University does not have any students study- ing in L'Aquila. LSA junior Alexandra White is studying in Rome, which is about 90 miles east of L'Aquila. She said she slept through the tremors and heard about the earthquake from friends and family checking to make sure she was OK, and from The New York Times. "I don't know anyone who was directly affected by it, and while the reports of the destruction and devastation are sad, I have not been directly affected," she said in an e-mail interview. White said while Rome was unaffected, students there are pitching in to help the victims. "(A) school here in Rome, John Cabot University, has put out col- lection and donation boxes around campus for students to donate clothes, home goods and canned food for the earthquake victims," she said. "We are just trying to keep the momentum going," she said. Milarch said the company's board of directors will meet at the end of the campaign next week to discuss the Performance Network's future. If the goal of $40,000 has not been met, she said the board might consider closing the Performance Network. If all goes well with the cam- paign, the Performance Network will continue to fundraise after the Wednesday deadline, Milarch said. Performance Network officials hope to raise $150,000 through grants from foundations, fundraiser events and private underwritings by Oct. 1. She said the Performance Net- work is hoping to collect as much as $75,000 of the $150,000 from new sources. Milarch said anyone who is interested in making a donation can directly call the Performance Network or visit its website www. performacenetwork.org. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - A visibly grayer and thinner Kim Jong I1 proved yesterday he remains in charge of communist North Korea, presiding over parliament in a tri- umphant return to center stage after months out of the public eye following a reported stroke. Limping slightly, Kim arrived at the grand hall housing the 687- seat Supreme People's Assembly to a standing ovation and praise for a weekend rocket launch heralded as "historic" at home though assailed in some nations as provocative. A master at building drama, Kim fed the world's curiosity for months about his health after reports said he had a stroke and underwent brain surgery in August - though North Korea has denied that he was ever ill. Kim solemnly acknowledged his reappointment as chairman of the powerful National Defense Commission, which under North Korea's constitution makes him the nation's top leader while his father, late North Korea founder Kim Il Sung, remains "eternal president." "Having comrade Kim Jong Il at the highestpostcofour country again is a great honor and happiness for our military and people and a great happy event for all Korean people," a newscaster said on state TV. State media made no mention In this image made off KRT footage distributed by APTN, North Korean leader Kim Jong 11 reads a document during the first session of Supreme People's Assembly of the country yesterday in Pyongyang, North Korea. of Kim from August until October, when there indications that he had re-emerged, with accounts of his visits to farms, factories and mili- tary bases. But no video images of him were released until this week. And Thursday's appearance was his first at a major public event, with taped video footage broadcast the same day, finally putting to rest any question about whether he has recu- perated from the reported stroke that sparked fears of a succession crisis in the nuclear-armed nation. Kim looked healthy, if older, on Thursday, but the weight loss appeared to have been sudden, leaving the skin on his once-pudgy face hanging loosely. Despite the limp, it was clear "Kim JongIl has no problem ruling the country," said Yang Moo-jin, a professor at Seoul's University of North Korean Studies. Outside observers were watch- ing closely for signs he may be lay- ing the groundwork for a successor following the health scare. Kim has ruled the impoverished nation of 24 million with absolute authority since his father's death in 1994, allowing no dissent or opposition. Both Kims thrived on an intense cult of personality, with their portraits hanging in nearly every room. However,noneof Kim'sthreesons was elected to parliament in March, and they are not believed ready to assume the leadership mantle. In a significant appointment Thursday, Kim's brother-in-law, Jang Song Thaek, a senior Workers' Party member, was named to the powerful defense commission. Kim appears to be boosting Jang's authority, perhaps to pave the way for him to assume more power, said Cheong Seong-chang, a North Korea expert at South Korea's Sejong Institute. Military family lets press cover its dead son Pentagon recently lifted 18-year ban on covering a fallen soldier's return home DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AP) - The body of a Marine killed in Afghanistan arrived at Dover Air Force Base on yesterday, marking the third time this week that the media were allowed to witness the return of a fallen U.S. serviceman from overseas. A Northwest Airlines 747 cargo plane that left Ramstein, Germany, bearing the body of Marine Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski of Holland Pat- ent, N.Y., arrived at 4:50 p.m. at the Delaware base, home to the nation's largest military mortuary. Oleski, 22, was killed Wednesday in Hel- mand province, the Pentagon said. As the sun sank lower in a cloud- dappled blue sky, casting shadows on the tarmac, a white-gloved Marine Corps carry team boarded the plane. Steppingin cadence, they flanked the flag-draped transfer case bearing their comrade's body. Songbirds chirped in the dis- tance as mortuary chaplain Maj. Klavens Noel said a prayer over the fallen Marine. Members of Oleski's family then watched solemnly as the team gen- tly moved the transfer case to the end of a cargo loader, which was slowly lowered to the ground. Dover base commander Col. Man- son Morris, accompanied by Marine Lt. Col. Carl Henger and acting Navy Secretary B.J. Penn, stood rigidly as Oleski's body was transferred into a waiting mortuary vehicle. Oleski's family gave permis- sion for the media coverage and watched as the transport vehicle drove off into the distance. Oleski was assigned to 3rd Bat- talion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expe- ditionary Force, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. The Pentagon's 18-year ban on media covering the return of fallen U.S. service members to the Dover mortuary ended Sunday with the return of an Air Force staff ser- geant killed in Afghanistan. An Army specialist killed in Iraq was returned Tuesday and the press was allowed to watch. The new Pentagon policy gives families of deceased troops the right to decide on media coverage. Of the four families who have been given the option under the new pol- icy, three have consented to cover- age, military officials said. ADVISING From Page 1 He said he was also displeased with his adviser's "strict" e-mail pol- icy - which stipulates he can only ask 'yes' or 'no' questions via e-mail - especially since he just needed a the michigan daily CANCER RESEARCH SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (CaRSIP) As part of its Cancer Biology Training Program, the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, in pact with funding from the National Insti- tutes of Health (NIH) is providing expo- sure to cancer research for highly moti- vated and talented college undergradu- ates. This program will give the suc- cessful applicants an opportunity to ex- plore potential careers in the field of cancer. Interns are paid a stipend of $4500 for ten weeks during the sum- mer and are aimed at students who are completing their sophomore or junior sndergraduate year this spring. In keeping mith the terms of the NIH grant, we especially encourage applica- tions from individuals from minority groups that are currently underrepre- sented in biomedical and hehavioral research. The deadline for application is 17 April 2009. Your application must be up- loaded at the following site: http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/pro- fessionals/summer internship.shtml Questions about the program? Please email La Cheryl Wicker at lwicker@umich.edu WORK ON MACKINAC Island this Summer - Make life long friends. The Island House Hotel and Ryha's Fudge Shops are looking for seasonal help in all areas: Front Desk, Bell Staff; Wait Staff, Sales Clerks, and Baristas. Hous- ing, bonus, and discounted meals avail- able. Cali Ryan 1(199)6261-5394. www.theislandhouse.com For Saturday, April 11, 2009 ARIES (March 21 to April 19) This is a good day to think about who you are and mhat you mast oat rof life. You're not concerned with superficial things. You want deep, bottom-line answers. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) This is a wonderful day to do research. Your powers of concentration are strong, and you're very keen to find missing information or hidden answers. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Conversations with others will be sig- nificant today. You might attract power- ful people to you, or the subject of your discussions with others will have impact (certainly not casual!). CANCER (June 21to July 22) You're willing to let bosses, parents, teachers and authority figures know that you have something trp your sleeve. (You're more than just a pretty face.) Others will be interested to know this. LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) This is a great day for studying ary- thing. Yor're curious, and at the same time, disciplined and patient enough to learn more about whatever interests you. VIRGO (Arrg. 23 tt Sept. 22) You can accomplish much if you tackle red-tape details like insurance matters, inheritances, wills, estates, banking, taxes and debt. You want to get to the bottom of something related to these areas. (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) Conversations with others might have a big effect on your mind today. Someone might tell you something that even changes your belief system. (Heavy!) SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) Discussions about plumbing, bathroom-related issues, garbage or any- thing related tojemelry, the police, oit- inal activities or medicine will impact your job today. Find hidden answers. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22to Dec. 21) . Playful activities, especially mysteries and puzzles, will appeal to you today. Read a whodunit, or catch a mystery mov ie. CAtPRICORN (el. 22 to Jan. 19) Family conversations are not casual today. They're intense! Guard against being obsessed about something. Allow space and room for others to have their input as wel. (Be fair.) AQUIARtUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) It's as if you have X-ray vision today. When others are talking, you can see their agenda. Like you can read their minds! (Kinda spooky.) PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) You might discover new sources of incometoday. Or you might seea belter may to earn money or a more cost- cutting way to live. Something is forcing you to get down to financial brass tacks. YOU BORN TODAY You function host when yorre'the center of attention. You're an instinctive performer mho likes to shine! You know how to work well with others. You're persuasive yet diplomatic. You're also skilled at bring- ing others together. You're a wonderful schmoozer wh enjoys the company of others. 'eople seek yor advice, ibhis year could be one of the best years of your life! Birthdate of: Joel Grey, performer; Jennifer Esposito, actress; Joss Stone, singer. referral from the adviser to someone else who could answer his questions. Despite the fact that there is one adviser for every 554 LSA students, Dodd said that Markman's case is unusual and that most students are able to see an adviser within a few days of their inquiries. He added that the Advising Center strives to meet the needs of students by working with the LSA Academic AdvisingConsultingGroup-agroup made up of 35 students that provides feedback on new advising programs - and the Student Affairs Panel on Academic Advising, the LSA Student Government subcommittee charged with overseeing advising. "As a result, we are very attuned to student concerns and BUSINESS From Page 1 Charnik said the goal of their music industry-centered busi- ness is to create a more accessible online community of fans, lesser- known artists and venues with a website. "[Relive]is a concept that records live performances, markets them and then distributes them for the benefit of small concert venues and emerging musicians," he said. "In the long term, we want to develop an online community that really connects people with live perfor- mances. This would create a medi- um for artists and venues to have instant access to their fans and vice versa." Charnik said the two came up with the plan as part of one of their have made many helpful changes in what we do and how we do it as a result of student participa- tion in our planning and decision making," he said. LSA freshman Jordan Bailey, a political science major, said he was able to schedule an appointment to see his adviser within a reasonable amount of time, but it only added to his confusion when he received conflicting advice from his concen- tration adviser. "When I went to my political sci- ence adviser, he definitely told me about a different path than my LSA adviser," he said. Students looking to enter the medical field are faced with the challenge of fulfilling numer- classes in the Business School. "We, as ateam, sculpted our ideas into a viable business for our class, New Venture Creation ES615," he said. "My personal interests are in the music industry in general, so I was happy to help create something that would bring new value for emerging artists." Richman said after they came up with the initial plan for the busi- ness, they spent considerable time consulting with experts in vari- ous fields. Though they plan to run the business themselves, they have taken full advantage of the resourc- es the University has to offer, Rich- man said. "We've spent a lot of time talk- ing to all sorts of people: profes- sors, people in the music industry, those who operate venues and pro- duce music," he said. "We also have a music industry adviser with 30 ous medical school admissions requirements in addition to regu- lar LSA requirements, often with- out what they describe as sufficient help from advisers specific to the health field. LSA freshman Keely Browning, who hopes to go to medical school, said she was frustrated by the lack of pre-health advisers. "Pre-med requirements are hard to fill," she said. "More specific advising would be really helpful." Dodd said he recognizes that there is a shortage in appointments for pre-health students and said he hopes the problem will be recti- fied next semester by a pre-health resource room where peer advisers will answer questions for students. years experience - we're hoping that it all pays off." Richman said it could take a while for the business to get off the ground, but that making the competition is an important first step. "The one thing we're doing right now is going to these types of com- petitions to network a little with different investors and to hopefully win some money to start moving ahead in our planning," Richman said excitedly. "We're hoping to use (the prize money) to launch a beta version of our website, find finan- cial partners and start to bring on additional staff." Following the competition, Charnik and Richman said they hope to work with students at the University interested in computer science or programming to get going with their business plan. RUNNING From Page 1 work on a project that will help the group connect with the state of Michigan. "The chance for us to do a road trip across the state is really mean- ingful," Manzon said. "Especially to the University of Michigan, since we are racing across Michigan and raising money locally that stays in Michigan, which is something real- ly positive." Brewer said donating the pro- ceeds to GOTR made sense not only because it is a local charity, but also because of its "shared passion for running with important life les- sons." The members of MRun plan to get the girls in GOTR involved in the race by having them run with the group for one mile down Huron Street. Brewer said that by running with the girls, MRun members hope to share with them what they've learned from the sport. "Each one of us has discovered how much running can enrich a person's life," she said. "I hope that this can be shared with as many girls as possible through our sup- port of the Girls On The Run pro- gram." Manzon said the group is hoping to expand the race in the future. "I think this is going to be a con- tinual event that happens every year," he said. "We'd like to make a race against other schools and continue to get Girls On The Run involved across the state not just locally." - -t ing Feature s vSyndicte, tnc. HANDY WITH A CAMERA? JOIN DAILY MULTIMEDIA. E-mail davazad@umich.edu NATIVE SPANISH SPEAKING babysitter needed May through August part-time. Call 734-754-1145.