0 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - 3 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom Tuesday, October 26, 2010 - 3 NEWS BRIEFS BRAMPTON, ONTARIO Canadian to go to prison for leading terrorism plot The ringleader of a homegrown Canadian terrorist group has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for leading a terror cell plotting to attack Canada's Parliament build- ings, electrical grids and nuclear stations. Fahim Ahmad had pleaded guilty in May mid-trial to partici- pating in a terrorist group, import- ing firearms and instructing his co-accused to carry out an activity for a terroristcgroup. . Justice Fletcher Dawson handed down the sentence yesterday. Ahmad and 17 others were arrested and charged with terror- ism offenses in 2006. The group became known as the Toronto 18. The jury had been told Ahmad was the leader of the terror cell and held two training camps to assess his recruits' suitability. WASHINGTON D.C. Homeland Security nears decision on virtual fence The Homeland Security Depart- ment is close to a decision on what's next for a costly, problem-plagued "virtual fence" ordered by Con- gress four years ago to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border. What was supposed to be a fence of integrated technology to keep watch on most of the nearly 2,000-mile border has ended up in use across about 53 miles of the Arizona-Mexico border at a cost of at least $15 million a mile. In a report this week, the Gov- ernment Accountability Office said DHS has committed $1.2 billion for the project, known as SBInet, and inadequately managed it. "A way forward on the future of SBInet is expected shortly and will be fully briefed to Congress when ready," Matthew Chandler, DHS spokesman, said Friday. The border fence project and its contractor, Boeing Co., have been repeatedly criticized in GAOreports for delays and cost overruns. NEW YORK CITY As bedbugs creep out NYC, tourists crawl away New York City's bedbugs have climbed out of bed and marched into landmarks like the Empire State Building, Bloomingdale's and Lincoln Center, causing fresh anxi- ety among tourists who are cancel- ing Big Apple vacations planned for the height of the holiday season. Some travelers who had arranged trips to New York say they are creeped out about staying in hotels and visiting attractions as new reports of bedbugs seem to pop up every few days. And officials in Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration are concerned about the effect on the city's image and $30 billion tourism industry. The discoveries of pests at high-profile places are often not full-blown infestations, or even in public areas. Bloomingdale's reported finding exactly one bug in the famous department store, the Empire State Building had them in the basement and Lincoln Center's were in a dressing room. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. Former hiccupping girl charged with murder A teenage girl who became famous after hiccuping uncontrol- lably for weeks has been charged with luring a man to a house where he was robbed and fatally shot. Jennifer Mee, 19, of St. Peters- burg and two others are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Shannon Griffin, 22, on Saturday. Mee's unusual condition landed her on NBC's "Today Show" in 2007 and got her a hug from coun- try star Keith Urban. But her life fell into disarray when the hiccups finally stopped five weeks after they started. She ran away from home twice and her family has sued a hiccup cure com- pany for allegedly using her image for profit without permission. -Compiled from Daily wjre reports ARMSTRONG From Page 1 Armstrong has remained relatively quiet onthe issue, but did appear on Anderson Cooper360 to discuss the situation. In the personal protection order petition filed with the court, Arm- strong wrote that Shirvell posed "a threat to my own personal safety" and that Shirvell had protested at events Armstrong attended. Arm- strong added that Shirvell had called Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi's office during his summer internship to speak with his supervisor about his membership in Order of Angell - a senior honor society on campus with a controversial past. In a statement released lastnight, U. Ashwin Patel - Armstrong's attorney - explained Armstrong's dismissal of his petition for a PPO. "The petition for a personal protection order was dismissed by Chris Armstrong because he received assurance that he will no longer be contacted by Andrew Shirvell," Patel wrote. "At this time, Chris would like to focus on his classes, finishinghis senioryear and his work with MSA." Philip Thomas, Shirvell's attor- ney, said in an interview yesterday that though Armstrong has been portrayed as the victim, he believes Shirvell is the true victim. "I really believe that my client has turned out to be a victim of the liberal media," Thomas said. "I looked at all the Anderson Cooper tapes ... nobody ever said 'Oh there should be a hearing, a determina- tion should be made as to whether this is legitimate or not." Thomas continued, "This is the United States of America, we have a right to free speech. If the stan- dard applied in this case were to applied in our society, then Presi- dent Obama could go and get a PPO against Rush Limbaugh or the Tea Party or against any of the different political action groups and that's not what PPOs were designed or intended to protect against." Thomas added he didn't feel the circumstances warranted a PPO because Armstrong said in a police report that he was feeling "some- what harassed" by Shirvell. "That's not what PPO law is designed and intended to guard against, not somebody feeling somewhat harassed," Thomas said. "It's designed to protect people who have been threatened and who have had people show up at their work and sending them text messages and all of that." Thomas also said he feels the dis- missal of the PPO petition, which he called a "fair outcome," should lead to the withdrawal of the Univer- sity's trespass order againstShirvell and disciplinary hearing with the state that is scheduled for Nov. 5. The University's Department of Public Safety issued a trespass warning for Shirvell on Sept. 14, banning him from the University's Ann Arbor campus. Prior to the ban from campus, Shirvell protested at several events where Armstrong was in attendance, including at a Michigan Student Assembly meet- ing during which he called on Arm- stronglto resign. DPS spokeswoman Diane Brown confirmed this morning that the trespass warning is still active. She said the ban from campus could only be lifted after a review of the warning in a meeting between DPS Chief Ken Magee and Shirvell. Brown said Shirvell requested such a meeting shortly after the trespass warning was issued, but that it has not been scheduled and that Magee is currentlyout of town. Thomas said yesterday that he is not happy with the lack of progress in moving the appeal forward to lift the trespass order on Shirvell. However,hesaidhehopesthewith- drawal of the petition for PPO will help expedite the process, though he said he's not sure it will. "I would like to see the U of M say, 'Hey, we're going to dismiss this notice and we're going to dis- miss it because the application for a PPO was dismissed or we're going to expedite it,"' Thomas said. "But while I want to see those things happen, I can't say for sure that it is going to happen." A1 4--------- FULBRIGHT From Page 1 University officials focused on globalization in their self-study during its decennial reacredita- tion process last year and Univer- sity President Mary Sue Coleman has developed a challenge to double the number of students who have an international experience while at theUniversity. "Some of our strongest students are applying for Fulbrights and being successful," Hanlon said. In a press release issued yester- day, several other University offi- cials echoed Hanlon's satisfaction with the performance of students in the Fulbright competition. Ken Kolman, the acting direc- tor of the University's International Institute and the acting vice provost for international affairs, said in the REGENTS From Page 1 to help the University sustain its resources. Both Democratic candidates said they would focus on implementing newtuition plans if elected. Lazzerin's speech focused less on finances and instead on the atmo- sphere she would aim to create for students, if elected. Drawing on her experience doing service work with Detroit youth, Lazzarin said she would be able to effectively focus on students' needs. She added that she also would promote an envi- ronment that is supportive of free speech and creativity. Stephens, who previously ran in 2002, said if elected, he would work to make the University more afford- able and accessible for students. Asked about the most important challenges for the University in the upcoming years, Stephens spoke again about the importance of reducing tuition costs as well as the importance of increased faculty engagement. Brown said he believes the Uni- versity will meet many financial obstacles, which the regents and faculty can overcome by having more of a public presence and advo- cating for public funding. State legislators voted to cut funding for public universities by 2.8 percent last month. Newman said that though the biggest challenge facingthe regents in the upcoming term will be deal- ing with the University's finances, the cost-cutting measures that offi- cials have already started putting into place will help the University maintainits stable finances. Richner also focused on the Uni- versity's financial struggles, but added that the University must still work to maintain its prestigious academic reputation. A question from a faculty mem- ber shifted the conversation from finances to diversity atthe Universi- ILLNESS From Page 1 Fitzgerald went on to say that the health department took the lead on this case, because the soror- ity house is off-campus. They will conclude tests and be able to confirm the cause of the illnesses within the week, he said. For now, the health department is conducting interviews of those affected by the illness and taking inventory of what the people ate in order to figure out the cause of press release that the high number of Fulbrigbt recipients at the Uni- versity reflects the quality of the Universityoverall. "The number of Fulbright grants speaks to the caliber of our stu- dents and their passion for interna- tional research and study," Kolman said. "Our success in earning these reflects Michigan's commitment to fostering global and cultural exchanges." Kelly Peckens, who directs the Fubright Program advising at the University's International Institute, praised the student recipients in the same press release. "These students have worked tremendously hard to prepare their projects, and we are very proud to have them represent U-M across the globe," Peckens said. "Our grantees are researching some of the world's most pressing issues with optimism and sensitivity." ty. Addressing a question about the promotion of racial diversity in the future, all candidates agreed that diversity is an importantcpart of the University experience. "I feel we have almost a sacred obligation to truly have a racially diverse campus and truly give all students from all our neighbor- hoods in the state and around the country a chance to matriculate here," Brownsaid. Brown said he feels a change in the admissions policy would bring the needed diversity to campus. He added that the University should also work harder to recruit a more diverse faculty body. Newman and Richner both claimed the University has done well in promoting diversity thus far, despite the state-wide ban on using affirmative action in admissions. "I think we've done a good job in dealing with Proposal 2 and taking a holistic approach towards admis- sions, and the record is improving and on the rightctrack," he said. Stephens said he feels that while the University is doing a good job attracting minority students, the actual retention rates are very low. Though he said he feels this is a nationwide trend, reducing the cost of tuition should help increase retention rates, he said. SLOTTOW TALKS COST CUTTINGMEASURES Tim Slottow, the University's executive vice president and chief financial officer, told Senate Assembly members yesterday that officials are continuing to balance cost-cutting measures to reduce the University's financial risk. Slottow said officials are focus- ing on cost controls, diversifying revenue streams and continuing to invest in buildings on campus, while trying to evaluate the Uni- versity's internal workings. "We're both working from top- down and bottom-up to ensure that even the detailed financial contamination, Fitzgerald said. The sorority house - located at 718 Tappan St. - has been thor- oughly cleaned and the Univer- sity has advised students to stay away from others who are sick, wash their hands and cover up their mouths when they cough in order to minimize contamina- tion. Chapter Advisor Susan Lcus wrote in an e-mail interview that sorority officials are not sure yet what caused the sicknesses. Taylor Robinson, a sopho- more in Delta Delta Delta, said And while the record number of student recipients is good news for the University, an analysis of Ful- bright Scholar grants - given to faculty members - provides a more sobering statistic. Asked about the University's performance in securing Fulbright Scholar grants, Hanlon said he knew it was an issue, but that he wasn't in a position to comment on it. "All I can say is I noted that as well and I want to try to understand that better," Hanlon said. University professors netted only five Fulbrgh Scholar awards, paling in comparison to many other univer- sities. Harvard University led the pack of faculty receiving Fubright awards, netting 38 grants. The Uni- versity of California at Berkley and Columbia University followed close behind, earning24 and 23 Fulbrights for faculty, respectively. transactions as well as the larger broad ones you may hear of have a continuous focus on continuous improvement in reducing the risk to protect both the financial and reputational risk of the Univer- sity," Slottow said. Using a disciplined budget strategy, Slottow said the Uni- versity is working to cut millions of dollars from its next operating budget. The cuts include ratio- nalizing information technology services, condensing office duties and streamlining facilities main- tenance. Slottow added that these cuts, like with the custodial services, may take a while to be implement- ed, because the University does not want to disturb daily research and teaching activities. "It will take us a while to get to a point where we can provide com- modity-type basic services to folks in a less expensive way but also not have it affect your research or your ability to teach, hopefully to enhance it," he said. Looking at an overview of the University's budget, Slottow said there is still a "healthy relation- ship" between total assets and total liabilities. But, he added that the amount of liabilities has recently increased due to a new $1.6 billion addition for post- retirement health care. other threats to the Univer- sity's budget include increased post-retirement benefits, increas- ing health care costs, the chang- ing nature of capital markets and general building energy and main- tenance, Slottow said. To alleviate these threats, Slottow said the University recently finished a dependent eli- gibility health benefit audit, which removed 914 dependents from the University's health care plan. Slottow said he feels the Uni- versity can gain more capital by investing in campus buildings in a "thoughtful" and "sophisticated" way. the members of the sorority have been asked not to comment on the issue until they know more. As of yesterday afternoon, Fitzgerald said there were no new cases reported. The last major outbreak of norovirus occurred at the Ross School of Business shortly after the completion of its construc- tion in January. Ten people who had eaten at the Siegle Cafe and 13 of the caf's workers fell ill and reported intestinal and stomach issues characteristic of the virus.