SUMMER WEEKLY I MIj 5tbtgan&dIlg One hundred three years of editorial freedom t ol CiV N A Arr , h aW esdy J ' 44 eh y U' drafts ange to iag policy Common Areas Policy revision may ease student-use restrictions Julie Becker ILY STAFF REPORTER This fall, students who want to monstrate on the Diag or other com- on University areas may find it a tle easier. A committee made up of students, ff and administrators is working summer on revising the iversity's Common Areas Policy, mmonly known as the Diag Policy. e original policy, which was put to effect in 1993, came up for rou- e review in March, when the com- 'ttee was convened to make changes. "We had heard from a variety of nstituencies around the University at things weren't working," said ssociate Dean of Students Frank ciola, a member of the review mmittee. To form the committee, the Dean Students Office contacted student oups, soliciting volunteers to dis- ss and propose changes to the licy. After the Aug. 1 deadline, the mmittee will submit the new policy r approval by Vice President for udent Affairs Maureen A. Hartford Executive Vice President and ief Financial Officer Farris W. omack. Dean of Students employee Polk agner said that at this point in the mmittee meetings "the vast major- of discussion and changes have ady taken place. " The new policy defines more early what areas are subject to regu- tions, addressing objections that the inal policy was too confusing. e policy itself is a lot more clear," agner said. Another major change involves lowing events to take place with tle or no notice, removing the seven- ~ywaiting period required under the d policy. The revised policy re- Fires a waiting period only for money >licitation or if University equip- t, such as power or sound, is re- aired. The revised policy also limits the mber of three-dimensional struc- See DAG, Page 2 m:ia#;mas Audit shows k0 mshandhing By lames M. Nash DAILY EDITOR IN CH IEF Loose spending guidelines allowed communication department officials to use more than $00,000 in private S donations for internationa travel, a video festival, dinners and other expenses "not in accordance with the donors' intentions," according to an audit released last week. The audit was prompted by misspending allegations made by the son of a former University professor who established a journalism endowment. Although the audit uncovered a number of spending irregularities, it was "normal and routine," University Auditor Carl Smith said. A lack of clear spending guidelines gave communica- tion department officials freedom to charge expenses against the endowments. Many of the expenses were not outlined in the donor's statement of intent. Complaints by Wesley Maurer Jr., whose father helped establish the Harry and Helen F. Weber fund for journal- ism scholarhips, sparked the probe. The younger Maurer edits a newspaper on Mackinac Island and was upset that the University was sending him undergraduates assum- mer interns, the audit reported. Most of the spending irregularities occurred under the ANASTASIA BANICKI/Daily Weber fund. While the endowment was originally ear- marked primarily for intemnships, it stated: "Programs arid activities other than intermships that further professional he Dance Theatre Studio on North University- preparation of students in joumahism and communication may also be supported by the bequest." In 1990, '91 and '92, nearly 47 percent of payroll 11 Hall to m ove expenses chrged to theWeber endowent were.fo purposes other than intermships, according to the audit. e 'But University administrators downplay allegations of flQ P co n in u e abuse. They say the expenditures - while not specifically authorized by the endowment -- do not violate University on the first floor. Both moves are scheduled for plcies. mid-AgustI don't think anyone (in the communication depart- mdAugust ment) thought they were moving far from the original "The space we have was not designed well intent" of the endowments, said LSA Associate Dean John because only part of it was made to be an Cross. "The communication department was acting in advising office," Judge said. "Many of the walls good falth. I don't think anyone thought they were doing are cardboard and the offices are not closed in. something inappropriate. It does not have the privacy appropriate to an "Sometimes they just wrote down the wrong account advising office, so hopefully when we finish the number. Those were just clerical errors. That happens all Stoaffimmes fro te woacdeicof the time around here," said Cross, who approves expendi- tures from communication department endowments. fices expect to remaln in their interim spaces In response to the audit, the College of LSA announced until May of next year. They anticipate their it will tighten monitoring of endowment spending. The imminent move with mixed feelings, process of phasing in stricter spending restrictions was "I wouldn't say we're excited or annoyed," under way before the audit. sald Kathy Bennett, an honors office employee. "We have already begun reviewing the audit files with "We're happy our offices are being redone and an eye toward developing clear and specific guidelines for the move is just something we're puffing up the use of endowments in the future," LSA Dean Edie with in the meantime." See ANGELL, Page 2 See FUNDs, Page 2 Almost a swan Kristine Roth displays grace practicing ballet at t Offices at Angel as buildin chai By Janet Burkitt DAILY STAFF REPORTER As workers revamp Angell Hall, students may get lost seeking counseling. The LSA Academic Advising Office, LSA Honors Program Office, Comprehensive Stud- ies Program Office and philosophy and classics departments are moving within the next year. The moves are a part of the renovations currently being done to the interior of Angell Hall, which include changes in plumbing, air conditioning, heating and electrical structures and elevator systems. "After 60 years, the building needs to be updated," said Director of LSA Advising Charles Judge. To allow work to be done in their offices, LSA and honors advising will temporarily move to the second floor from their current locations