8 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, May 11, 1998 Houses to move for parking lot By Redcloud George For the Daily Chapters may be lost from Ann Arbor's history books by the end of May when three historically valuable houses are removed to make way for a new parking lot. The University currently owns the houses that are located at 916 Maiden Lane and 919 and 925 Wall Street. The need for additional parking stems from renovations the University is sched- uled to perform during the summers of '98 and '99 to provide safe parking facilities and prevent water damage to the Cancer and Geriatric Centers and the west end of University Hospital. During the period of construction, the University will need to compensate by providing additional parking lots near the Medical Center. One of the new parking lots will be constructed in the space currently occupied by the three houses. But Tom Stulberg, who is a mem- ber of the Individual Historical Properties Historical District Study Committee, said these particular houses have historical value and are worth saving. Stulberg's committee is attempt- ing to preserve at least one of the three houses, even though they are not officially recognized as histori- cally valuable. Stulberg said the houses have "a lot of character left, though they are run down." Stulberg added that the houses, though dilapidated, are links to Ann Arbor's past. According to Stulberg, the house that sits on 925 Wall Street was acquired by George Jewett, the father of the first African-American football player at the University. Stulberg said fortunately there is an 'Semester at Sea' keeps studies afloat This old house, at 919 Wall Street, will be moved to a new location in order to accommodate the Increased need for parking near the University Medical Center. opportunity for the University to build on the property and still allow the houses to be saved. Stulberg said that by putting long I- beams under the main structure of the house, a crew can use large jacks to lift the house and drive it to a new loca- tion. He added that relocating the houses to different places from where they stand may detract from their impact on the history of the neighbor- hood, but the buildings that are moved will not be demolished. "My primary goal is to try (and) save the structures," Stulberg said. Fred Mayer, Assistant Director of Capital Planning and University Planner, said that the parking lot will only exist as long as necessary. Mayer said the University will even- tually construct buildings for medical research and treatment on the property gained from moving the houses. Removing the houses may benefit students at the cost of losing pieces of Ann Arbor's history. "I do really think that if something has historical value, it should be left alone unless there is a good reason," said Meredith Ackerman, an LSA sophomore. Ackerman said she didn't fully agree with the University's plans to use the land for medical facilities. LSA senior Todd Pinsky said the University should make students the priority. "Personally, I feel that the school needs to cater to the personal needs of the students," Pinsky said. "One of the students' needs is parking." Stulberg said house owners sold the properties knowing that the University would build on that land. "It's been pretty common knowl- edge that the University wants to develop this whole block," Stulberg said. Stulberg bid on 916 Maiden Lane during an open house last Thursday. His hope is that other interested parties will bid on the remaining two houses in order to "find some new homes for the houses," Stulberg said. "You lose that history when you lose the building," Stulberg said. By Cassie Frank For the Daily In 1835, the "Beagle" set sail with a twenty-six year old naturalist named Charles Darwin aboard and the theory of evolution was born. In 1513, Ponce de Leon set out to find the fountain of youth. Instead, he found Florida. On September 10, 1998. as part of the "Semester at Sea" program, the S.S. Universe Explorer will depart Vancouver with University students aboard. Who knows what they'll discover? "Semester at Sea" is a floating university that travels the world while contributing to students' learn- ing experiences. The program began with a vision. A Hong Kong businessman, C.Y. Tung, wanted to see ships used for educational purposes. In 1963, his dream became a reality when the University of the Seven Seas was founded at Chapman University in California. Unfortunately for Tung, the pro- gram got off to a rocky start. The group purchased the ship "Queen Elizabeth I," only to have it go up in flames in the Hong Kong harbor before it ever left port. Now, in its 35th year, the program is having better luck. The S.S. Universe Explorer departed this spring for Venezuela, Brazil, South Africa, Kenya, India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Japan Sith 600 students representing 200 colleges and universities. One thing is clear - the un-sea- worthy need not apply. Three months at sea may require a little more than Dramamine, participants said. LSA senior Deborah Kolben explained why she ruled out "Semester at Sea" when considering study abroad programs. "I can't even go on the pirate ship at Coney Island without feeling sea- sick," Kolben said. "Besides, being trapped on a ship with 500 strangers -- no thanks!" Although claustrophobia and nausea are factors, those ailments are a priec some students are willing to pay. "Whenever I read the newspaper now I feel so much more attached," said Graduate Molly Farabee, who was aboard the Spring 1996 voyage. "When we were in South Africa, it was right after (Nelson) Mandela had been elected," Farabee said. "A friend of mine asked a woman if she had ever met Mandela ... the woman laughed, (and) then she said oney, I haven't met him, I'v talked with him, I've hugged him. Everyone has met him.' It felt like we were witnessing history." While the focus of most study abroad programs is cultural immer- sion and language proficiency, "Semester at Sea" takes a different stance. "The program takes it global com- parative approach, with an emphasi on the non-Western world," said Paun Watson, director of enrollment man- agement at the Institute for Shipboard Education. Watson said the main purpose of the program is to examine the com- mon issues which affect different countries. in addition to 600 students and 70 faculty, staff and family members, 50 non-student adults participate in "Semester at Sea" through th Continuing Education Program. Watson called these seasoned trav- elers, "an integral part of the ship- board community ... who often con- tribute through life experiences." At a time when global is in and national is out, "Semester at Sea" is a study abroad experience with a focus on the 21st century, Watson said. Smoking may be in the genes By Laura Lemire For the Daily Smokers may not deserve all the blame for their habit. Recent research at the University finds some people may be "born to smoke." Ovide Pomerleau, a researcher at the Nicotine Research Laboratory at the University Medical School, found heavy smokers were much more likely than non-smokers to say they experienced pleasurable effects the first time they smoked, leading them to believe that some people are pre- disposed to be smokers. "Practically everyone experiments with smok- ing at some point, but only some become smok- ers," Pomerleau said. The study found 78 percent of heavy smokers reported pleasurable effects, defined as a buzz or relaxation, while only 27 percent of non-smokers experienced such reactions. Cara Monroe, an LSA Senior and smoker, remem- bered the first time she lit up. "I was with a group of friends at the time," Monroe said. "I felt a little buzzed, but it helped to calmtrne down." Monroe said that although it'would be difficult for her to quit smoking today, it would have been easy a few months ago. "Now I feel cranky and nervous when I need a cigarette," Monroe said. The research also found both smokers and non- smokers experienced unpleasant effects their first time trying cigarettes, in the form of either cough- ing or nausea. Adam Bradley, a Business junior and non- smoker, recalled feeling "a little nauseous after the first cigarette." He said although his initial response to smoking did not stop him from light- ing up again, lte now doesn't smoke if he is sober. Participants in the University study filled out a questionnaire to indicate their smoking history. Some of the questions included, "How long can you delay your first cigarette of the day?" and "Do you smoke when you are sick?" Answers from these questions showed dramatic differences in behavior between smokers and non-smokers. The study also reports 84 percent of smokers were in a social setting when they first experiment- ed with cigarettes, while only 64 percent of non- smokers were socializing during their first puff. One possible cause for this finding, Pomerleau explained, is that smokers are more responsive to, peer pressure. The social context of smoking is the LSA first-year student Thuy Nai enjoys a puff of her favorite cigarettes at an Ann Arbor cafe yesterday. A University study suggests smokers like Nai may be predisposed to smoke. most complicated aspect of the research, he said. the nicotine addiction, Pomerleau said. The presence of other drugs also plays an Pomerleau said finding out why some are pre- important role in smoking behavior. disposed to smoke is the key to developing pre- "Eighty percent of alcoholics are smokers," vention campaigns. "In the future sve hope it is Pomerleau said: NumeroUs Vari ables affect smok- possible to identify people at risk of picotine ing behavior, making it a chtaletnge to understand addiction," ie said.