One hundredfve years ofeditoNafreedom Wednesday June 12, 1996 Student pleads guilty to felony arson for Bursicy fire * MacDonald could face four years in prison and $2,000 in fines for setting March fires By Sam T Dudek Daily Staff Reporter A University student pleaded guilty June 4 to a *harge of arson in connection with an April fire at Bursley Hall. John MacDonald, who will be an LSA sopho- more in the fall, pleaded guilty to a charge of arson of property valued at more than $50. Prosecutors agreed to drop three major felony charges for the reduced plea. The maximum sentence for the remaining charge is four years in prison and a $2,000 fine. Had he been convicted on all charges, MacDonald 0ould have faced up to 20 years in prison for each aunt against him. MacDonald is scheduled to appear for sentenc- ing July 25 in Ann Arbor district court. MacDonald was arrested April 11 for setting a string of fires that forced the evacuation of Burslev Hall on March 31. University Judicial Code Adviser Mary Lou Antieau said being charged with a felony is not necessarily grounds for disciplinary action by the University. Anticau said a University member must file a complaint before her office determies whether a Code of Student Conduct hearing is necessary. "We don't just read the paper, see a felony charge and assess a punishment." she said. "An arbitrator determines whether a student has violated community standards as stated in the Code." Antieau refused to comment about MacDonald or whether he will be brought up under the Code. University Fire Marshal Robert Patrick told The Michigan Daily in April that the University views arson as a serious offense. "The University takes arson very seriously because the risk for injury or even death is so high, especially in a residence hall where people sleep," he said. "We absolutely cannot tolerate this type of behavior on campus," Patrick said. MacDonald and his attorney could not be reached for comment yesterday. The residence hall fires caused about $3,500 in damage and forced a two-hour, late-night evacua- tion of the building. A housing security officer was also injured during the evacuation. Ani Arbor Fire Department officials said wastebaskets and bulletin boards were the com- mon targets of the arsonist. *Women announce candidacy for seats on 'U' Board of Regents By Jennifer Harvey Managing News Editor As Democrats and Republicans begin to pound the national campaign trail in earnest, other politi- ians are looking to be elected closer to Ann Wrbor. Two women have already announced their candidacy for the two open seats on the University Board of Regents. Olivia Maynard, of Flint, is running for a regent's seat as a Democrat. "I feel at this time in my life I have the ability to give what I feel the office deserves," she said. Maynard, 59, received a B.A. in political science from George Washington Winiversity in 1959 and a mas- ters degree in Social Work from the University of' Michigan in 1971. She recently served as an adjunct Maynard professor for two years in the School of Social Work and as co-chair of the devel- opment committee for the School of Social Work. "I have an appreciation of what higher educa- tiotn is supposed to be about' Maynard said. Maynard formerly served as the chairperson of the Michigan Democratic Party and in the State Office on Aging. She was the first woman to run for lieutenant governor of Michigan in 1978. She ran for the office again in 1990. She was unsuc- cessful in both attempts. Currently, Maynard serves as the director of a nonprofit group she helped start, Michigan Prospect. The organization examines issues of public policy. Maynard said she has several goals in mind, pending her election. "I want to continue to widen the accessibility to students from all parts of the state, continue to strengthen the University's eco- nomic development, and build ties between the University and the community that builds eco- nomic strength for the state." Maynard is the mother of three children and two stepchildren. Maynard said she was not involved in student groups during her years at the University because she was too busy raising her family. "I had to time to come to campus, study, get to the library, get to work and get home. That was it,' she said. See CANDIDATES, Page 2 Walking for charity Tracey Rossbach, Chris Gentner and Bob Johnson (left to right) gather with accompanying whippet dogs before the fourth annual Ann Arbor Aid for Aids Walkathon on Saturday. MSA passes resolutions to condenm 'hate crimes' at Markley, support GEO Duane Adams tire the IDaily The Michigan Student Assembly met yesterday and discussed, among other things, a resolution to increase awareness about hate crimes at the University. The resolution came in response to recent 'hate crimes' at Mary Markley residence hall. Cory Fryling, a self-proclaimed gay activist and a Markley resident, said that for the past few weeks he has been harassed because his stance on gay rights. According to Fryling, a trash can filled with water was placed on top of his door. He also said there were two attempts at forced entry to his dorm room, constant pounding on his door, a theft of his door peephole, and a derogatory sign posted on his door. The sign expressed discontent with, "homo- sexuals pushing their views in the face of normal people." See MSA, Page 2 %N THIS WEEK'S Dailg 3NSIDE NEWS 9 RTS GEO, University clash over 'The Phantom' makes big- contract terms. screen debut. 10 SPORTS Dolan, Griffin named Athletes of the Year.