The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Thursday, April 5, 2012 - 3A
The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom Thursday, April 5, 2012 - 3A
NEWS BRIEFS
EAST LANSING
Michigan State
sees record number
of applications
Michigan State University
says its applications for the com-
ing school year have topped
30,000 for the first time in its
history.
The university says as of Fri-
day, 30,055 students had applied
for admission for the fall semes-
ter.
Admissions Director James
Cotter says the East Lansing
school expects to offer admis-
sion to about 20,000 students for
the fall. The university says it got
26,907 applications last year and
25,349 in 2009.
Cotter says the university
received about 7,100 internation-
al applications by the deadline
Sunday.
FORNEY, Texas
Texans sift through
rubble after the
damaging tornado
As a twister bore down on her
neighborhood, Sherry Enochs
grabbed the three young chil-
dren in her home and hid in
her bathtub. The winds swirled
and snatched away two of the
children. Her home collapsed
around her.
Miraculously, no one was seri-
ously hurt.
Enochs, 53, stood yesterday
amid the wreckage of what was
once her home in the North
Texas city of Forney, among the
hardest hit by a series of torna-
does that barreled through one
of the nation's largest metro-
politan areas a day earlier. No
one was reported dead, and of
the more than 20 injured, only a
handful were seriously hurt.
SANTA MONICA, Calif.
Students protest
pricey courses at
California college
Campus police pepper-
sprayed as many as 30 dem-
onstrators after Santa Monica
College students angry over a
plan to offer high-priced cours-
es tried to push their way into
a trustees meeting, authorities
said.
Raw video posted on the Inter-
net Tuesday evening showed
students chanting "Let us in, let
us in" and "No cuts, no fees, edu-
cation should be free."
Students were angry because
only a handful were allowed
into the meeting room, and
when their request to move the
meeting to a larger venue was
denied, they began to enter the
room, said David Steinman, an
environmental advocate who is
running for Congress as a Green
Party candidate.
BAMAKO, MALI
Islamists impose
sharia sharia law in
city of Timbuktu
Mali's crisis deepened yes-
terday, as officials in the fabled
northern city of Timbuktu con-
firmed that the Islamic rebel
faction that seized control of
the town over the weekend has
announced it will impose sharia
law.
Rebels in the country's distant
north have taken advantage of
the power vacuum created last
month when renegade soldiers in
the capital of Bamako overthrew
the nation's democratically
elected leader. In the chaos that
followed the March 21 coup, they
advanced on strategic towns in
the north, including the ancient
city of Timbuktu, located over
620 miles (1,000 kilometers)
from the capital.
The ethnic Tuareg rebels
included a secular faction fight-
ing for independence, and an
Islamic wing, Ansar Dine, whose
reclusive leader called a meet-
ing of all the imams in the city
yesterday to make his announce-
ment.
-Compiled from
Daily wire reports
CONFORTH
From Page 1A
The group surprised him dur-
ing one of his classes with maize
and blue balloons and a crowd of
students with harmonicas and
guitars.
The award highlighted one
of Conforth's favorite teaching
ideals - that students are not
the only individuals receiving
an education during the teach-
ing process. Conforth said the
award aims to encourage teach-
ers to consistently teach each
lecture as if it were their last,
which he said he strived to do in
his speech.
Conforth has taught for more
than 20 years, the past eight
years being at the University,
and specializes in a variety of
humanities courses, such as folk-
lore, blues music, popular culture
and the history of social move-
ments.
During the lecture, Conforth
spoke about the importance of
livinga fulfilling life and encour-
aged adhering to "a life full of
passion."
After pursuing careers in
neuropsychiatry, social work,
museum studies, art and music,
Conforth said he discovered
his true passion was ultimately
teaching.
"That's what teaching is about:
passing on a portion of yourself,"
Conforth said. "What could be
more honest or important than
that - the passing of tradition
and humanity?"
According to Conforth, teach-
ing is about being honest and
engaging, adding that education
and fun do not need to be mutu-
ally exclusive.
"It's about following your pas-
sion and what that might mean
in your life and how you go about
doing that without giving up
on some of the other things you
have to do in life," Conforth said.
"There's nothing more important
thanbeingpassionate aboutwhat
you do, no matter what it is."
Conforth's last lecture probed
how to live life to the fullest in a
practical and self-fulfilling man-
ner.
"The secret to a truly mean-
ingful existence, I think, is in
always holding on to the abil-
ity to define yourself, no matter
who or how many times some-
one tries to define you for your-
self," Conforth said. "And part
of that internal power to define
yourself comes from livinga life
full of passion."
The lecture culminated in a
prolonged standing ovation. In
an interview after the speech,
LSA senior Elisabeth Dion said
Conforth is a terrific lecturer,
adding that she laughed dur-
ing every class when she took
American Culture 209: The
History of American Popular
Music with Conforth.
"Every day, he had a great
story or funny quip that went
with each topic," Dion said. "He
told us about how he played in
the same bar as Bruce Spring-
steen way back in the day and
about how he met with Yoko
ono to get memorabilia for the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."
LSA senior Arthur Snow,
who attended the lecture, said
he appreciated Conforth's
speech, and his radiant dedica-
tion to education and learning.
"His passion was evident,
and ittruly did put anewspin on
old repeated ideas," Snow said.
"He managed to give them an
impact that certainly resonated
with me and, I think, resonated
with everyone else in the room.
And I think that speaks to his
own experiences and the way
that he has gone about heeding
his own call."
CHANGE
From Page 1A
It's not cemented; it's very much
malleable," Kohen said.
Robert Simmons, the assis-
tant event coordinator and com-
munity center manager at Baits
II, said the participants took the
time to think and reflect as they
went through the interactive
engagement events.
At the event, Simmons said he
ran the "Perfect Day" workshop,
which allowed participants to
identify six parts of their ideal
day.
"We wanted the attendees to
realize that a simple task, such as
taking the time to relax and read
the book, will have an impact on
their day," Simmons said. "There
are little things they can do to
make their day better."
Simmons added that the event
provided him with an opportu-
nity to bring the values he pro-
motes as a residence education
professional staff member to the
border community.
"This was a continuum about
positive energy and wellness to
help people think about their
social identity, them as a person
and their well-being," Simmons
said. "This intertwined the cam-
pus and the community and so
many aspects of the Ann Arbor
community."
LSA sophomore Lauren Bur-
ton, student event coordinator
said the workshops introduced
communication strategies that
would help participants improve
their relationships.
"Epitome, the wellness con-
tinuum, is divided into two
separate blocks of activities,
Burton said. "The first block is
the relationship block to help
participants reflect on their cur-
rent relationships. The second
block focused on giving partici-
pants the skills to make a posi-
tive change."
LSA junior Sean Houchins,
another student event coordi-
nator, organized a workshop to
help participants understand
the impact that certain commu-
nication styles may have on the
productivity and the positivity
of conversation.
"The volunteers will respond
to the participants. It's interest-
ing for the participants to go
through and see the response
styles," Houchins said.
LSA sophomore Julia Moger-
man said she went to the event
because all the students in the
Screen Arts & Cultures depart-
ment received an e-mail inform-
ing them that the movie was
showing for free.
"We decided to come here to
watch Harry Potter, " Moger-
man said. "We didn't know an
event was taking place, but the
event sounded pretty cool."
MCAT porate ideas about medicine and
From Page lA pre-medical sciences into their
From __Page __A_ courses, and S wouldn't be sur-
prised to see more of this hap-
new sections - psychological, pening in response to the new
social and biological foundations generation of changes."
of behavior and critical analysis Brawn added that some stu-
and reasoning skills - have been dents may find themselves con-
added to the test. fronting more choices at an
The new psychological, social earlier stage in their career as a
and biological foundations of result of the wider range of mate-
behavior section will assess the rials covered on the MCAT.
test taker's understanding of the "In LSA, that probably does
aspects of medicine and health put some pressure on the explor;-
concerning psychological, social atory aspect of the liberal arts
and biological factors influencing education, but this may simply
behavior. boil down to something like stu-
Additionally, the new criti- dents needing to be more self-
cal analysis and reasoning skills conscious. about how they use
section will also evaluate the that flexibility," Brawn said.
test-taker's ability to analyze and According to a press release
apply information from a variety from Kaplan Test Prep, a pro-
of disciplines, including social vider of educational and careet
sciences and the humanities. services, the new test will be
Ronald Franks, vice president more difficult for test takers. The
for health sciences at the Uni- release stated that the test will
versity of South Alabama, said require most universities across
changes to the natural sciences the nation to adjust their curri-
section will include emphasiz- cula to prepare students for the
ing biochemistry and molecular test in the same four-year time
cell biology. Franks - who is also frame.
vice chair of the AAMC's MR5 LSA sophomore Lauren Bur-
Committee, which conducted the ton, who expressed interest in
fifth comprehensive review of the eventually taking the MCAT,
MCAT, and an alum of the Uni- said she thinks the changes are
versity's Medical School - added necessary since doctors need
that all the changes reflect scien- to be able to incorporate a wide
tific advances and an expanding array of skills in their practices
understanding of diseases and beyond just memorizing facts.
treatment approaches. "Being a doctor involves a lot
"(The test) won't be much of human interaction, and if you
harder, but more comprehensive do not study human interaction in
and (will) better indicate the any way, it will be very difficult to
strength of the applicant," Franks give quality care to the patients,"
said. Burtonsaid.
Franks said the new psycho- Burton added that she believes
logical, social and biological universities should reduce the
foundations of behavior section number of science courses
will reflect the diverse population required for students applying to
of patients that doctors serve, and medical school to compensate for
will include content on health the added material in other aca-
determinants like riskybehavior. demic fields.
Rajesh Mangrulkar, the Uni- First-year Medical student Isa-
versity's associate dean for bel Greenfieldsaidshe agrees with
medical student education, said the changes ifthey are intended to
revisions to the MCAT reflect the identify more qualified students.
University's need to look for can- "There are plenty of current
didates from all disciplines. medical students who are just
"The MCAT changes are agood really good at science but lack a
step forward to better reflect the certain human appeal that most
skills that we require of graduat- would probably prefer in their
ing physicians," Mangrulkar said. doctor," Greenfield said. "The
"For example, the added elements essays and interviews duringthe
of the social and behavioral scienc- application process are some-
es, as well as critical thinking, are what helpful in weeding out the
just as important cmnpeteicies as robots, but h~iMh&,fits not tht
a good grasp ag, chem yW d to actp ae in tw
and physics." page-long essays or for a 30-min
Mangrulkar added that it is ute interview."
still important to use the MCAT However, Greenfield added that
as one part of assessing an appli- individual schools should com
cant's academic and personal up with their own ways to test
competence. how well-rounded a candidate i5
David Brawn, associate direc- in addition to relying on the nexr
tor of the Newnan LSA Academic MCAT.
Advising Center and a pre-health LSA junior Patrick Parkinson,
advisor, said he believes LSA co-president of the Black Pre'-
offers an extensive range of Health Association, said though
courses, and students can he believes the changes wil
already find classes that address improve the selection proces
the materials being added to the these changes are not absolutely
test. necessary to determine whethe
"Generally speaking, I don't or not a candidate is qualified.
expect things to change too "In regards to whatthis means
much here in LSA," Brown said. for a pre-med student, I don't
"Also, over the years, we've believe it will change much,"
already seen instructors incor- Parksinson said.
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Detroit gives state powers
to help rescue finances
City Council
agrees to consent
agreement in
5-4 vote
DETROIT (AP) - Detroit
leaders reluctantly agreed
yesterday to let the state take
a more active role in restruc-
turing the cash-strapped city,
reaching a deadline-beating
deal that avoids the embarrass-
ment of Michigan's governor
appointing a financial overseer
for City Hall.
By a 5-4 vote, the City Coun-
cil decided to allow Michigan
officials monitor and have
input into how to fix Detroit's
broken finances. Facing a $200
million deficit and $13.2 billion
in long-term structural debt,
the city is at risk of running out
of cash by the end of May.
Gov. Rick Snyder had given
the city until today to sign off
on the agreement or risk the
appointment of an emergency
manager to take over. The deal
was expected to be signed by
Snyder and Mayor Dave Bing,
who was readmitted to a hos-
pital yesterday as a precaution
because of discomfort follow-
ing surgery to correct a perfo-
rated colon.
Although many of the
details are unclear, the agree-
ment lets Bing and the council
keep authority over the city's
finances and budget. How-
ever, they would be required
to renegotiate recently ratified
union concessions and share
decision-making with a newly
hired project manager and
chief financial officer. A nine-
member board would monitor
the city's fiscal restructuring.
"The Detroit City Council's
vote ... represents a pivotal
moment in Detroit's history,"
Deputy Mayor Kirk Lewis said
in a statement. "It is time now
to begin the monumental task
of stabilizing Detroit's finan-
cial operations."
"The mayor and his admin-
istration worked with the City
Council and the state to devel-
op a consent agreement that
we believe puts us on track to
restructure our city financially
and re-establish an infrastruc-
ture to make sure Detroit never
faces these financial conditions
again."
Snyder released a statement
crediting the council for acting
"responsibly to put Detroit on
the path to financial stability."
"We all want Detroit to suc-
ceed," Snyder said. ".. While
the council's action is a posi-
tive step, there's no doubt that
much work remains. The mag-
nitude of the city's financial
challenges means that many
difficult decisions lie ahead."
The Detroit case is the high-
est-profile yet involving a con-
troversial year-old Michigan
law that gives the state more
power to intervene in finan-
cially troubled cities and school
systems. Emergency manag-
ers have the power to toss out
union contracts and strip local-
ly elected leaders of author-
ity. A petition drive aimed at
overturning the Michigan
law is trying to qualify for the
November ballot.
The former manufactur-
ing giant has been floundering
financially for years, partly
due to the ups and downs of
Detroit's automakers and a
declining tax base as people
and businesses left the city.
Past leaders also failed to cur-
tail spending and cut jobs to
keep pace with losses in rev-
enue.
When Bing took office in
2009, the city's deficit topped
$300 million. He has since cut
2,000 jobs through layoffs and
by not filling open positions.
The deal reached yester-
day compels Detroit to meet
timelines in putting together
city budgets and to accurately
update revenue predictions. City
departments are expected to be
slimmed down or consolidated
if savings can be made. Work
currently performed by some
unionized employees could be
outsourced to save money.
Missed deadlines and failure
to comply with those and other
terms of the agreement could
be constituted as a breach of
the deal and lead to the state's
withholding of revenue sharing
and preventing the city from
entering the capital markets to
sell bonds. At worst, the state
Treasurer's office also could
place the city in receivership.
The nine-member financial
advisory board will monitor
how Detroit manages its lim-
ited resources and report back
to the state. It also will make
recommendations to the mayor
and help the city in preparing
its 3-year budget.
Bing will hire a chief finan-
cial officer to supervise finance
and budget activities. That per-
son will be selected from a list
of candidates agreed to by Bing
and Treasurer Andy Dillon.
Still, it likely will be amatter
of years before the changes to
Detroit's financial and opera-
tional structure show results,
Dillon said yesterday.
Up until the weekend, first-
term Councilman Andre Spivey
had been leaning toward voting
in favor of the measure. Yester-
day, he voted against it.
"There is no financial sup-
port attached," he said after
the vote. "We won't know six
to nine months to a year (how
it will work) ... but it's here now
and we must work with it."
Council members last
Thursday discussed Snyder's
proposal and spent the week-
end reviewing it. Some blasted
a portion of the document that
tossed out concessions on pay,
health benefits and pensions
recently reached between Bing
and city unions.
Snyder has said those con-
cessions don't go far enough
help solve the city's fiscal chal-
lenges.