POLITICAL RAP GAME What the political credibility of hip-hop artists today says about the evolution of the industry. PAGE 4A j,: UbeP lEll:a Iim Ann Arbor, Michigan Wednesday, December 8, 2010 michigandaily.com MOVING EXPRESSION GET TING AROUND ANN ARBOR AATA mulls bigger buses, monorail in transit plans Rackham student Tracy Halloran performs at the School of Dance's Composition and Improvisation Dance Class Showings yesterday. Students presented an informal perfor- mance of their semester composition studies. A NN A~3 ouncil to con sid medic marijuana zoning ordinance In new study, route between Central and North Campuses is a major priority By DYLAN CINTI and ELYANA TWIGGS Daily StaffReporters The Ann Arbor Transit Authority is currently working with University and city offi- cials on two long-term projects to enhance transit on a local and county level. The first project, the Ann Arbor Connector Feasibility Study, seeks to pinpoint advanced transit options that would be installed in the city, like trains or larger buses. The second project is the AATAs countywide tran- sit master plan, which is aimed at improving and expanding the city's busing system. Both plans are in the development stage and aim for both short-term and long- term improvements, according to city transportation officials. NEW MODES OF CITY TRANSIT An electric-powered train system could lie in Ann Arbor's future - or so city officials hope. The city-sponsored Ann Arbor Connector Feasibility Study was designed to identify alternative modes of transportation that could improve transit citywide. Recently submitted in a draft form to the AATA, the study endorses three modes of trans- portation: an enhanced busing system, a light rail transit system and an elevated train system, which would include a monorail. URS Corporation, an engi- neering and technical services organization based in California, performed the study. The aim of the study was to identify the transit options that would best accommodate Ann Arbor's trans- portation needs, according to Richard Nau, URS vice president for transit and railroad business. Chief among these needs, according to Nau, is a more effi- cient mode of transit between the University's North and Central Campuses. "One of the things that's driv- ing the study is improving the connection between the North Campus and the Central Cam- pus," Nau said. According to Jim Kosteva, the University's director of commu- nity relations, students, faculty and staff make more than 20,000 See TRANSPORTATION, Page 3A Assessment comes shortly after other a SE Michigan cities ban medical pot By SUZANNE JACOBS Daily StafflReporter- Medical marijuana dispensa- ries could be allowed in retail zones - with some restrictions - if the Ann Arbor City Council approves an ordinance recently drafted by the Ann Arbor Plan- ning Commission. The ordinance would also put restrictions on the establish- ment or expansion of medical marijuana dispensaries -. or nonresidential places where one or more caregivers transfer medicine among themselves and/or to patients - within the city. In addition, the ordinance applies to cultivation facilities and home occupations, which are defined by the commission as single-family dwellings used for nonresidential purposes involving medical marijuana. The Ann Arbor City Council reviewed the ordinance once on Oct. 18 and will do so again on Dec. 20. The ordinance in question addresses a temporary mora- torium regulating the avail- ability of medical marijuana in Ann Arbor, which City Council passed on Aug. 5. This tempo- rary moratorium, set to expire on Jan. 31, was designed to pro- vide the planning commission time to finalize regulations for dispensaries before too many opened. Ann Arbor City Planner Jill Thacher said that it's typical for the council to make changes to proposals during second read- ings, and she expects this ordi- nance will be no different. The biggest obstacle in draft- ing the ordinance, Thacher said, was the commission's lack of knowledge about the medical See ORDINANCE, Page 3A MSA rejects measure calling for Athletic Dept. to fire Rodriguez A PATRIOTIC TALE MSA VP: Resolution 'distracts' from more pertinent business By CLAIRE GOSCICKI Daily StaffReporter At the final Michigan Student Assembly meeting of the semes- ter last night, representatives shot down a proposed resolution to encourage the University's Athletic Department to dismiss Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez. The resolution, proposed by Public Policy junior and ex-officio representative Nathan Hamilton and LSA freshman and represen- tative Omar Hashwi, received 5 yes and 24 no votes to be placed on last night's meeting agenda. The resolution states that, "Rodriguez's first two years at Michigan featured two losing seasons, no bowl games, and accusations of possible NCAA violations in regards to the hours the team practices ... and Rodri- guez currently has the lowest winning percentage of any coach in the history of Michigan foot- ball." Fans and media have been speculating on Rodriguez's job status after his third straight loss to Ohio State at the end of last month. University Athletic Director David Brandon has said repeatedly that he would evaluate Rodriguez at the end of the sea- son, which he defines as after the Wolverines play Mississippi State in the Gator Bowl on New Year's Day. Speaking before the assembly, Hashwi recalled football seasons past, highlighting the differences See MSA, Page3A Author Blaine Pardoe autographs his biography titled "Lost Eagles" for Doug Bauer at the Hatcher Graduate Library yesterday. Par- doe's book is a biography about Frederick Zinn, a University alum and World War I Air Force pilot. As Fulbright expands sites,'U' alumni optimistic about future SNRE students, faculty participate in UN Climate Change Conference Program also sees increase in number 0 of applicants By SARAH ALSADEN Daily StaffReporter State Department officials recently expanded the reach of the Fulbright Scholars Program and both grant recipients and applicants from the University are hoping the expansion will mean more opportunities for University graduates. The program, which offers students grants to pursue Eng- lish Teaching Assistantships, independent research and study in countries around the world, will now offer grants specifically designed for students with inter- disciplinary interests like entre- preneurship, sustainability and innovation. Two hundred-fifty students pursuing ETAs have either left for their assignments or will be leaving in early 2011 thanks to the expansion, accord- ing to Rosalind Swenson, direc- tor of the Fulbright program at the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cul- See FULBRIGHT, Page 2A Ten 'U' students attend symposium in Cancun, Mexico ByVERONICA MENALDI Daily StaffReporter For most, Canemn, Mexico is one of the go-to spots for a fun- filled spring break. But for about 30 University students, professors and alums, the location has taken on a whole new meaning in recent weeks. These individuals are attending the two-week United Nations Cli- mate Change Conference, which started Nov. 29. A few University representatives were in Cancn during the first week and others are participating in the second week of the conference, which is now underway. According to a press release issued by the University, there are 10 students participating. Miguel Sossa, MBA and MS can- didate from the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, said that in the first week, representa- tives from 132 nations attended the conference and explained their goals for the conference. According to the press release, the participating nations were the ones who signed the United Nations Framework Convention on See CONFERENCE, Page 3A WEATHER TOMORROW :27 GOTANEWSTIP? 26 Call 734-763-2459 or e-mail news areichigandaily.com andlet us know. NEWON MICHIGANDAILY.COM Molk named as finalist for Rimington Trophy MICHIGANDAILY.COM/BLOGS/THE GAME INDEX NEWS.......... Vol, CXXI No. 63 SUDO K U.U...D . 2 0 The MichiganDaily OPINION...... michigandoily.com ... 2A A RTS ................. ... 3A SPORTS ............. ...4A THE STATEMENT 5A 7A .......1B