SUMMEedo One hundred and one -years of editorial freedom 'U' to employ Dude's wife Nitric oxide discovery University researcher Michael Marletta and graduate student Kimberly White have discovered a new and unusual characteristic of the enzyme that triggers or catalyzes nitric oxide production in mammalian cells. The discovery could help to synthesize new drugs for hypertension, stroke iMpotence, and other rnaladies:. U' holds science forum Several acience teachers and administrators from Michigan school districts recently attended a three- week University workshop designed to coordinate science objectives in curricula, enhance teaching methods, develop innovative projects, and explore uses of educational technology. 'U' studies old age University researchers, along with colleagues from Brown University, have found that elderly people who blame their declining abilities on "old age" are likely to die sooner than those who attribute their difficulties to specific diseases. The findings will be reported in the August issue of the American , Journal of Public Health. , Library grants given Due to a conference held at the University last November, the Alpena County Library and Cromaine (Hartland) Library have received a $1,000 grant from the Competitive Edge Conference Committee, Global changes by corals. University scientists have said that tiny sea creatures, whose skeletal remains compose coral reefs, may control the crucial balance of carbon molecules between the Earth's atmosphere and oceans in a process which takes place over tens of thousands of years,. by Adam Hundley Daily Staff Reporter _ Anne Duderstadt was hired last Tuesday as a University in- stitutional advancement officer, but at least one member of the University Board of Regents is not thrilled about it. IDuderstadt, married to Uni- versity President James Duderstadt, willearn $35,000 to assist in the organization and direction of fundraising events, donor and alumni relations, and Uiversity promotional activi- ties. She will also manage facili- ties and personnel used in the Campaign for Michigan, a fundraising drive. But Regent Deane Baker (R- Ann Arbor) is concerned about the hiring of tie University president's wife in the wake of budget belt-tightening. "Myprincipalconcernistthat these are austere times for tie University," Regent Deane Baker (R-Ann Arbor) said, re- ferring to tie University's bud- getary constrairts. "I think tie symbolism of the hiring was in- correct and improper." Tre regents raised student tuition last month and limited faculty pay raises to offset in- creased operating costs and a zero percent increase in state funding. Baker emphasized that Duderstadt is qualified for the position and said the work she will do is important, but he ob- jected to the salary she will re- ceive. "Thepresident's wife has not been paid throughout the history of the University," re said. Duderstadt currently holds a master's degree r ihome eco- nomics from Eastern Michigan University, volunteers time to tie Faculty Women's Club and University Musical Society, and assumes the responsibilities of fundraising and hosting numer- ous Unrversity events. Duderstadt has pledged to donate her entire salary to the University andthire Centerfor the Education of Women (CEW). "1 an deeply committed to educationfor women, especially those returning to or beginning See DUDERSTADT, Page 2 Berry good Kathy Hiraga, a former UnivE blueberries at the Ann Arbor 4 Higher T e. act by Adam Hundley Daily Staff Reporter __ Although President Bush sinned the Higher Education Au- thorizationBilllastmonthmany University admiristrators are skeptical Thatir te positive fea- tures of the bill will be inple- mfen dbill authorizes the fed- eral government to raise Pell Grant and Stafford Loan awards forundergraduatestudents, sim- plify teacher certification pro- grams, and guard against scam schools and students who de- fault on loans. "Thisinewworld posesenor- mous challenges and big oppor- tunities," Bush said during thie signing ceremony. "How do we hwi when more of the world's SKAISHA HALCI/Dioly mationsare playing ourgame?.+ We cannotrenew America with- out renewing our schools." But University administra- ersity student, pur chases torsemphasizedthat thebilldoes Farmers' Market Saturday. not provide funds for any of the programs. "The reauthorization calls for u d e changes and determines how stuents programs will be structured, but Seonly Congress can provide the life on campus funds to implemen the provi- sions of the bill," said Harvey ber and one upper division stu- Grotrian, director of the Office dent. The mentors are required of Financial Aid. to meet their mentees and also Grotrian said Congress contact them once a month. should appropriate the funds Mentors arealso encouraged necessary to ensure the success to meet for a meal in a residence of the program. hall with their mentees through "It's an excellent reauthori- the Food For Thought program, zation bill," he said. "It calls for which allows students to take a number of changes which will their faculty or staff members result in more money for more for a free lunch in a residence students." hall. But Grotrian said he is not The mentors are encouraged confident thatCongress willsup- to share their personal experi- port the bill, and expects no sig- ences as new students as well. nificantimprovementsin thenear "If they know anything they future. wish they had known when they "We have experienced un- were freshmen then they try to der the Bush administration rea- bring that knowledge into the sonably goodattention toeduca- group," Younce explained, tion and the community, but Thefacultymentorsalsohave when it's translated into action much to contribute, we usually experience profound "Student mentors can help disappointment," he said. specifically with the student-ori- Cecil Miskel, dean of the ented problems - dorms, rush School ofEducation, praisedthe - while the faculty can help intent of the bill and the provi- with the bureaucraticproblems," sion which empowers states to Reed said. See EDUCATION, Page 2 Mentors guide, advise new Juniors, seniors help first-year students adjust to by Beth Echlin Daily Staff Reporter Afterstruggling throughtheir first year of college, many stu- dents look back and wish they had had someone with experi- ence - a sort of big brother or sister who knew the ropes - to help them adjust to the trials and tribulations of University life. That wish has been granted by the University Mentorship Program. After a rather chaotic first year, theprogramnhas imple- mented significant changes and is ready for the class of 1996. The program was created in the summer of 1990 by then In- terim Vice President of Student Affairs Mary Ann Swain. The program was formed to allow incoming students to meet with someone who has shared the often difficult experiences that are part of being a new- comer at a large University, to meet a faculty member outside of a class, and to help first-year students with any questions or concerns they may have. "If they arehaving any prob- lems on campus - roommate problems or trouble in their resi- dence hall - these are all issues that canbe addressed byhemen- tors," said Patricia Soellner Younce, the outgoing coordina- tor of the program. The program's first year was less than successful. In it's pilot year, the 1,300 first-year stu- dents chosen to participate in the programwereselected randomly from the incoming class, while the mentors volunteered. This "totally backfired," Younce said. "Only 50 percent of tie stu- dents selected responded," Younce said. "About half the groups were incomplete. Later we discovered that the night of the dinner was tie first night of rush and people were confused about directions tothedinner.... It was a total bust." Those who did participate were pleased with the program, but agreed that the changes were needed. "I think it's like any new program - you've got to work through the kinks," said Penny Reed, a forner mentor and in- coming program coordinator. "This campus is one of the biggest in the country, so it's nice to have a human to talk to," said Ed Merriman, an LSA sophomore andone of last year's mentees that is now involved in the program as a mentor. "I'm really excited about this year. Things are a lotmore orga- nized this year,"Merriman said. This year, instead of random selection, invitations were sent out to incoming first-year stu- dents in May. There were about 1,300 replies. Prospective men- tors were also sent invitations to participate. A group of two to six first- year students are combined with twomentors-onefacultymem-