One hundred twelve years ofeditonafreedom Summer Weekly wwwmichigandaily.comn Monday July 7, 2003 Vo ~iN.&3 n ror Ihga 20 Te c'gnD~ 1 T NEWS Avoiding the ACE question PW^^^'" "' M"e Top of the Park summer festival. Page 3 OP/ED Columnist Jason Pesick critici- sizes the Repub- lican Party for causing disillu- sionment. Page 5 ARTS Nu philm "Spell- bound" ex pozes teh darc under- bealy oof Amre- cian Spelinig Bes wtih humer and witt. Page 9 SPORTS By Maria Sprow't and Karen Schwartzt Daily Staff Reporters To many students, the question may seem simple. 8. a) Race/Ethnicity: Choose which best describes you (optional) OAsian or Pacific Islander (includes the Indian sub-continent) OAfrican American/Black (not of Hispanic origin) OHispanic/Latino (Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race) OAmerican Indian or Alaskan Native Tribe (Tribal Affilia- tion: ) OWhite (persons not of Hispanic origin, having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East) ORace Not Included Above (please specify: ) b) Are you multi-racial or multi- ethnic (parents are of two or more of the above groups)? OYes ONo IfYes, please specify But whether or not to give an answer to the race and ethnicity question is one that is becoming more frequently asked by college applicants, and according to data from several col- leges, providing this information is becoming less and less popular.a Some universities are reporting a rise in the number of applicants skipping the race question, choosing to leave it blank rather than admit to their Caucasianu black, Asian, or Hispanic backgrounds. "I skipped the question because I wanted to know that I could get in regardless of what race I am," said Chrisc Phillips, a recent high school graduate - from California who applied to the Uni- versity. "I did not feel I deserved any j additional consideration because of my race, since it has not caused me any 'r additional hardships in my life." Photo illustration by EUSE BERGMAN/Daily Many students are choosing not to mark their race on admissions applications See RACE QUESTION, Page 2 for universities around the country' Ward Connerly to speak at ', may lead state ballot initiative BySoojungChwng Daily News Editor Since the Supreme Court upheld diversity as a compelling interest in higher education, American Civil Rights Coalition Chairman Ward Connerly has been suggesting that he will try to fight the decision with a voter initiative in Michigan. Connerly - the University of California-Berkeley regent who led successful voter initiatives that ended affirmative action in California and the state of Washington - will be speaking at a press conference hosted by the The Michigan Review at noon tomorrow on the steps of the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. According to a written statement, Connerly "will announce the next step for all those who oppose the gov- ernment-sponsored practice of treat- ing people of different 'races' differently" at the press conference. Connerly The Associated Press reported that Connerly said a previous effort at starting a Michigan ballot initiative four years ago was suspended because it was believed the issue would be resolved by the Supreme Court. After the Court's decision allowing the use of race-con- scious admissions, interest in a ballot initiative resurfaced. "This pushed us over the edge," Connerly said about the rulings. Connerly said that in Michigan, organizers have to get signatures from at least eight percent of registered voters in the last election for governor. "Once we generate sufficient organization from people in Michigan for this, we'll pass the baton to them,"he said. The Michigan Review staffers would not comment on what Connerly would be speaking about, but National Affairs Editor Karl Sowislo said the next step in combat- ing affirmative action could include a number of different legal challenges to the University's admissions policies. "The Supreme Court decision left open many possi- bilities for future legal challenges," he said. "It is by no means an open-shut case. They are very vague about See CONNERLY, Page 8 contract with the Chicago Cubs, Michigan catcher Jake Fox will forego his senior year. Page 11 ONLINE Check for updates after Ward Connerly's press confer- ence at the Uni- versity tomorrow. CONTACTS NEWS: 76-DAILY CLASSIFIED: 7640557 Ann Arbor poised to change Liberty and f ordinance on panhandling AbdurRahman Pasha For the Daily The Ann Arbor City Council will vote today on whether or not to amend the city ordinance on solicitation. If passed, panhandlers would be barred from soliticit- ing pedestrians at outside restaurants and cafes. It would also outlaw the solicitation of pedestrians who are within twelve feet of the exit or entrance of parking structures, banks or Automated Teller Machines, and the Nickels Arcade, the proposal says. The proposal also states that panhandlers can- not approach pedestrians "In a manner that appears likely to cause a reasonable person of ordinary sensibilities to feel intimidated, threat- ened or harassed." City Councilwoman Joan Lowenstein said the suggested measures would benefit panhandlers. "A taskforce has met for two years to look at the problems downtown and proposed the changes to the ordinance along with funding for an outreach worker to work with street people, most of whom are not homeless but are suffering from substance abuse, " Lowenstien said. "Giving them money only exacerbates their Bdd problems with drug abuse and alcoholism and Brothers Anton and Simon Gensterblum celebrate Indepen See PANHANDLING, Page 2 Day by planting American flags In the pavement on Friday. I i _. __ _ r