a ns w w m"Actj m Iv i O~ie /zwdr eeA yurv ~~4/776'A'si27httn:/ Monday, July 12, 1999 www michigandail com 'U' amongprotesters in .C. By Michael Grass Daily News Editor WASHINGTON - With the dome of the U.S. Capitol in sight, more than 100 students and labor activists from around North America and across the Pacific converged on the steps of the Department of Labor Friday to protest what they view as the U.S. govemment's apathetic actions regarding sweatshop labor. The protest kicked off the United Students Against Sweatshops national conference, where col- lege students from the U.S. and Canada, including ten from the University, gathered to coordinate efforts for the coming academic year. "We're calling on the Department of Labor to be more vocal," said Brown University student Nora Rosenberg. "They have been surprisingly silent on issues of public disclosure and the living wage." The protesters said the public disclosure of facto- ry locations and ownership and an appropriate salary for workers would improve sweatshop conditions. LSA junior Julie Fry told the crowd that after half a year of intense protests at college campuses across the nation, the issue of sweatshop labor in the colle- giate apparel industry is alive and well. "We are here to tell the Department of Labor and the Clinton-Gore administration that we are here and we are here to stay," Fry said. Later during the protest, Filipino labor activist Chie Abad told the gathering about poor conditions at factories she worked at on the island of Saipan, a U.S. territory in the Pacific Ocean. She said she was grateful for the students' actions Adlk Committee releases report on By Nika Schutte Daily News Editor As first-year students look forward to all of the exciting experiences college offers them, a University committee has created more than 50 strategies to make sure that risky drinking isn't one of them. Last week, the University's Binge D r i n k i n g C o m m i t t e e released initial rec- ommendations to help curb risky drinking, particu- larly among first- year students liv- ing in residence halls. 0 5 Royster Harper, interim vice president for student affairs, said the group's proposals show a com- mitment to a cultural change on campus, but that changing attitudes toward alco- hol requires many different approaches. "This is a complex issue with multiple perspectives and views on how to get in drinking front of it' Harper said. Former Vice President for Student Affairs Maureen Hartford charged the committee with the task of developing the report nearly a year ago. One of the strategies, aiming to sepa- rate alcohol from socializing, recom- mends the University provide regular scheduling of non-alcoholic events on weekends. Committee member John Mountz, a fraternity adviser at the Office of Greek Life, said other schools such as Pennsylvania State University and University of West Virginia have already implemented such programs. Mountz said the schools are of a "sim- ilar size and nature" as the University and "seem to be pleased" with the program's initial results. But some University students wonder if such a program would achieve the goal. LSA first-year student Sarah Bergren said offering entertainment options may not be very effective for pre- See COMMITTEE, Page 7 u issue of sweatshop labor. "On behalf of all of' llow workers in Saipan, thank you,'Abad said. mer St. John's University soccer coach James y spoke on how he was fired for his 'vocal ition to the school's contract with Nike. said he became morally opposed to corporate ces while doing research for a theology course. ad no idea what the consequences would hold, could not stand around as our Catholic univer- rofits on the backs of workers,' Keady said. See PROTEST, Page 2 Data offers # latest enrollment numbers By Sans Danish DiySafRpre Although data released in May raised concern that the entering first-year class would not be as diverse as in previous years, the most recent data paints a more complete picture of the incoming class. According to data from the Undergraduate Admissions Office as of July 6, the number of accepted underrepre- sented minorities and those securing their spot with a paid deposit has increased slightly since the initial data was released in May. Yet, underrepresented minority enroll- ment is still down from 1998 although both year's underrepresented minority applicant pool remained at I1 percent. The University defines underrepresented minorities as black, Hispanic and Native American. According to UAO, 12 percent of stu- dents granted admission to the University were underrepresented minorities, where as in 1998 underrepresented minority students comprised 13 percent of those granted admission. Paid deposits from accepted underrepresented minority students have also dropped from 14 percent in 1998 to 12 percent in 1999. John Matlock, assistant provost and director of the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives, said that it is hard to analyze the admissions data that has been released throughout the summer. "What appears to be a decreasing trend in minority admissions may just See MINORITIES, Page 7 The Michigan Daily Student Publications Building 420 Maynard St. News: 76-DAILY Classifieds: 7640557 Display: 764-0554 11n a sw1ingi' mood Victor Cook, age 3, and his mother enjoy time at a swing set yesterday during Huron River Days. Interns gain public service experience By Michael Grass Dally News ~ir WASHINGTON -- During the summer months, there are two things that define the atmosphere of the city tourists and interns. Among the thousands of college students that com- prise the latter, there's a good chance of running into a Wolverine. The University's Public Service Internship Program, part of the Career Planning and Placement office, has served as a gateway for students to government and related internships for about 30 years. PSIP "provides fora good foundation for the future' said David Lai, a recent University graduate, now interning in the office of Sen. Diane Feinstein (D- Calif.). Lai said being in the nation's capital during the summerisan exciting time. "It's unbelievable,"he said. Currently, 60 University students are part of the pro- gram, most living at a George Washington University. residence hall. From the White House to Capitol Hill to the offices of K Street lobbyists, University students are spread throughout the city. PSIP student coordinator and recent University graduate Courtney Stamm said there is a great variety of places where program participants are interning. "This year we have a real mix,"Stamm said. Stamm said certain offices specifically recruit PSIP interns for the summer, like the Office of the Corporation Counsel, the Office of the State of Michigan, the University's Washington office and the offices of members of Congress from the state. "We always have a lot of people in the White House," Stamm added. Stamm currently interns at the Association of See PSIP, Page 7 University librarian collects telephone Although 'Arlington books to help Kosovar refugees the film provides a determine proper residency. Page 3. Page 10. """"""""""""""**** -N 71- 7 ""1" G "Ow mmmmma Road' is not a masterpiece, thrilling time at the theater. Kalamazoo native and Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter made his final appearance in Tiger Stadium last week. Page 13. i\V < . wry vrE.); (5 > \ . ar i ,;ytr.2 > 3k+ ; yM, Rev " 4 5 ' ,'.