Page 2-The Michigan Daily- Monday, January 21, 1991 'U' refuses TAs' demands for anti-war stance, open talks by Stefanie Vines Daily Faculty Reporter University negotiators rebuffed the teaching assistants unions' demands for public negotiations and an official stance against the Gulf war in preliminary talks Fri- day. Negotiations to renew TA con- :tracts for the 1991-92 school year will resume Feb. 1. Chris Roberson, a negotiator for the Graduate Education Organiza- tion (GEO) said all other items for the contract negotiations had been agreed upon. University negotiators refused comment on the talks. University refused to discuss the demand for public negotia- tions, saying closed negotiations are more efficient. On its proposal for an official University stance against the war, GEO submitted a "Memo for Un- derstanding" which outlined three direct connections between the University and the war: A connection between mili- tary research on weapons being used in the war; University investments in companies that profit greatly from the war; University students currently serving or at risk of being called to serve in the military. "Just because they refused the Memo for Understanding and the issue of public negotiations doesn't mean the issues are settled. We are going to still keep pushing for public negotiations and everyone is getting involved in the anti-war movement," Roberson said.. According to the memo, be- cause "the University has the tra- ditional and crucial function to not merely provide students with a technical education, but also to prepare them for the rights and re- sponsibilities for critical and moral thought as free citizens in a free society," it should adopt an anti- war stance. But University negotiators, cit- ing University President James Duderstadt's concerns about free exchange of opinions on campus and the possible intimidating ef- fect that such a stance might have, refused the request. Roberson claimed the Univer- sity takes stands on many issues of moral and political importance without dampening freedom of ex- pression. I wasn t surprised by anything It was really just a preparatory meeting. We are still going to keep pressing for public negotia- tions, and as we go along," Alan Zundel, a member of GEO's Bar- gaining Committee and Team, said. r. /\ " _ Calvin and Mobbes by Bill Watterson Soviet commandos attack 7 rWEL~L, OBES I WAT GUESS ThES TWT? kA NV AL TO .AL WIS. t m * Wa~te~sonlDslr--utrdtb .1991 Watterson/DistnbutedbUniversal Press Syndcat Nuts and Bolts 'I 'SNOW GLAS ARE BAD i ^ fi - i THAT ESSORCEU~tBY OJAT 1 MODIRCAMIN. a c Latvian police, RIGA, U.S.S.R. (AP) - Soviet burst into flame "black beret" commandos at- vian Interior Mi tacked Latvia's police headquar- trols police in th ters last night and occupied it loyal to the sepa temporarily, killing five people The raid cam and wounding nine in the assault, viet tanks atta Latvian government officials said. broa stt All Latvian police were ordered broadcast center to take up arms and defend other capital of Vilniu government buildings, but the ple and wounding commandos left police headquar- ters about six hours after the as- In Washing sault began. House called th The elite forces of the Soviet ment "deeply t Interior Ministry began the attack House spokespe at about 9:06 p.m. (2:06 p.m. EST), reiterated the B as red and white tracer bullets lit tion's call for a p up downtown Riga. An automobile to the Baltic prob five killed ", s next to the Lat- nistry, which con- he republic and is ratist government. e a week after So- acked the main in the Lithuanian is, killing 14 peo- g more than 200. ton, the White he Riga develop- roubling." White rson Bill Harlow Bush administra- peaceful resolution blem. ". C . r r r tI s x x ,. s E 4 k clov WEL, E KN~OW'JtWHERE W.E'RE C-OIN MTr WE DON'T KNOW4 WHERE WE'VE SEN.d AND WE kN )W WHAT WE'RE I-tIJHI' BDT W F-CANT$ASWI54HATr WE'E , FN. / a , by Judd Winick AND WERE N~OTLTTLE CNItDF N AD WEKNOWJ WHAT W~f:WANT, AND ~ ~ T UI / VE s CERTAI N, -I'VE US TIME TO WJORK Tc rOL T.. . B,, T OVN'R. HISTORY Continued from Page 1 Arizonians. The push for a University MLK Day began in the winter of 1987 when students led by the United Coalition Against Racism (UCAR) demanded, among other things, the establishment of a day off from classes to honor King. Although the University spon- sored events honoring King in 1988, it did not cancel classes. On January 18, 1988, almost 1,000 students pledged to boycott classes to attend alternative events in honor of Dr. King. UCAR spon- sored teach-ins, films, and speak- ers to educate students about racism and discrimination. About 75 students led by mem- bers of UCAR also blocked the en- trances to Angell, Mason, and Haven halls to enforce the boycott. Many students, however, simply used side entrances to bypass the mostly symbolic blockade. In January of the following year, the University cancelled classes on the third Monday of the month to celebrate "Diversity Day," a title criticized by students who believed it shifted focus from King's life. Last year, the University dropped the "Diversity Day" title and simply called the day "Martin Luther King Day." Nationally, proponents of the establishment of King's birthday, Jan. 15, as a national holiday also faced a fight. Opponents of the day - including President Ronald The central government in Moscow has been pressuring Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia ty nullify the independence declara tions passed last year by their democratically elected parlia4 ments. The three independent states were forcibly annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. Anti-independence factions in all three republics have been call- ing for dissolution of the separatist parliaments and governments, an* urging Soviet President Mikhail S Gorbachev to impose direct Krem- lin rule. Reagan and Senator Jesse Helms (R-N.C) - questioned whether King should be granted "an honor" not bestowed upon Abraham Lin- coln or Thomas Jefferson. Reagan, fearing a political* backlash if he vetoed the bill, said he would sign the legislation if it came to his desk, although he "would have preferred" to leave the decision to state discretion. Now all but two states observe the holiday, although some South- ern States honor MLK Day in con- junction with heroes of the Con-1 federacy. Virginia, for example, celebrates Lee-Jackson-King Day, honoring Robert E. Lee and Thomas (Stonewall) Jackson. "I think the University com- memoration of Dr. King has a long way to go," Monroe-Fowler said. "People should not be waiting until January to discuss ways to eradicate racism." unable to participate in activities than the whole point of MLK Day is ruined. It is inconsistent with state policy since the Governor has the day off," Holliman said. Although the policy does not di- rectly affect graduate teaching as- sistants, Chris Roberson, head of the Graduate Employees Organiza- tion, said he thinks the policy could go one of two ways. "Either MLK Day is not a holi- day and staff should work as nor- mal, or it should be regarded as a holiday and staff along with every- one else should have the day off. However, if the requirements for working prohibit people from at- tending events then the policy should be changed," Roberson said. "" M-mmminsi THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CENTER FOR CHINESE STUDIES presents the tenth annual ALEXANDER ECKSTEIN MEMORIAL LECTURE "China and the World: Perceptions and Misconceptions" by ALLEN WHITING Director, Center for East Asian Studies University of Arizona Thursday, January 24, 1991 8:00 p.m. Rackham Amphitheater Reception following the lecture RACKHAM ASSEMBLY HALL .I Don't like what you see? Tell our readers what you think. Write to the Michigan Daily at 420 Maynard Street, or send your letters via MTS to "Michigan Daily." PREVIEW Continued from page 1 to today's symposium: "So much has shifted from King as an individ- ual. What he stood for was more important," Young said. The University first cancelled classes in January 1989 in response to protests from students and faculty who boycotted classes and blockaded buildings the year before. I a STAFF Continued from page 1 cause I had to work, I couldn't go. My supervisor would only let me have two hours off, and that wasn't enough. The policy should be changed," one University staff member said. Another staff member com- plained that MLK day should be a holiday for everyone including staff. "Students and faculty members have the day off, why don't we? Even the governor gets the day off. If the point of MLK Day is to in- clude everyone in the events, then more effort should be made to in- clude staff," another staff member said. Not everyone thinks that MLK Day should be a holiday, however. u1At W PASS IT AROUND!. Executive Director of Univer- sity Relations Walter Harrison said he doesn't think MLK day should be a vacation day for staff. "Someone has to keep the Uni- versity running. People still go to dining halls and still expect staff to be there," Harrison said. Harrison added that the issue hasn't been a substantial enough problem for the past three years to warrant a new policy. "When individual staff mem- bers complain about not being able to go to MLK Day events we try to deal with it on an individual ba- sis," Harrison said. Dan Holliman, a Black Student Union member and graduate stu- dent in Political Science, dis- agreed. "The current policy is not flexi- ble enough. If staff members are mmomma Registrar's Bulletin Board Dates to Remember Last Day to: Tue., Jan. 29 Tue., Feb. 19 Beginning Wed., Jan. 30 Wed., Feb. 20 Withdraw From Winter Term - with payment of the $50 disenrollment fee and $60 registration fee. Drop Classes - with a reduction in tuition and without a $10 change of election fee. Note: Some units (Law, Medicine and Dentistry) begin classes on a different academic calendar and this date will vary for those units. Withdraw From Winter Term - with payment of half tuition and $60 registration fee. Note: This date will vary for the units having a different academic calendar. Withdraw From Winter Term - pay half of tuition and $60 registration fee. This fee adjustment applies only to complete withdrawals from the term and not to a reduction of credit hours. $10 Change Of Election Fee Due - payable in advance at the Cashier's Office for drops, adds or modifications to Winter term schedule. Withdraw From Winter Term - pay full tuition and fees. EDITORIAL STAFF: Editor in Chief Managing Editor News Editors Opinion Editor Associate Editors Weekend Editor Associate Editor Weekend Arts Editor Noah Finkel Kristine Lalonde Diane Cook, Ian Hoffmian Josh Mitnick, Noele Vance David Schwartz Mike Fischer, Stephen Henderson, 1. Matthew Miler, Daniel Poux Gil Renberg Josephine Ballenger Tony Silber Sports Editor Associate Editors Arts Editors Books Film Music Fine Arts Theater Mike Gil Andy Gottesman, David Hyman, Eric Lemont, Ryan Schreiber, Jeff Sheran Kristin Palm, Annette Petrusso Cardyn Por Brent Edwards Pete Shapiro Elizabeth Lenhard Mary Beth Barber be lfirbin&lg The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms by students at the University of Michigan. Subscription rates via U.S. mail for fall and winter $39 fortwo terms, $22 for one term. Campus delivery $28.00 fortwo terms. Prorated rates: $25fortwo terms; $11 for one term. The Michigan Daily is a member of The Associated Press and the Student News Service. ADDRESS: The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard, Ann Arbor, MI 48109. PHONE NUMBERS: News (313) 764-0552, Opinion 747-2814, Arts 763-0379, Sports 747-3336, Circulation 764-0558, Classified advertising 764-0557, Display advertising 764-0554, Billing 764-0550 S S Photo Editors Jose Juarez, Ken Smller List Editor Gil Renberg News: Chris Afendulis, Iari Barager, Jon Casden, Michelle Clayton, Lynne Cohn, Brenda Dickinson, Julie Foster, Jay Gardia, Henry Goldblatt Christne Koostra, Amanda Neuman, Shalini Patel, Melissa Peerless, Tarmi Pollak, David Rheigold, Bethany Robertson, Usa Sanchez, Gwen Shaffer, Sarah Schweitzer, Purvi Shah, Lee Shufro, Jesse Snyder, Annabel Vered, Stefanie Vines, Garric Wang, Donna Woodwell. Opinion: Russell Ballimore, Geoff Earle, Leslie Heilbrunn, David Leitner, Andrew M. Levy, Jennifer Mattson, Chris Nordstrom, Glynn Washington, Kevin Woodson. Sports: Jason Bank, Mike Bess, Jeff Cameron, Theodore Cox, Andy DeKorte, Matthew Dodge, Josh Dubow, Jeni Durst Jim Foss, Jason Gomberg, Phil Green, R.C. Heaton, Ryan Herrington, David Kraft, Rich Levy, Jeff Ueberman, Albert Un, Rod Loewenthal, Adam Miller, John Niyo, Matt Rennie, Jim Sagar, David Schechter, Rob Siegel, Eric Sklar, Andy Stabile, Ken Sugiura, Kevin Sundman, Becky Weiss, Charlie Wolfe, Dan Zoch. Arts: Greg Baise, Jen Blik, Mark Binelli, Andy Cahn, Beth Colquilt, Jenie Dahlmann, Richard S. Davis, Michael Paul Fischer, Gregg Raxman, Forrest Green IIl, Brian Jarvinen, Mike Klody, Julie Komorn, Mike Kuniavsky, David Lubliner, Mike Molitor, Jon Rosenthal, Sue UsemaAnn, Mike Wylson, Kim Yaged. Photo: Brian Cantoni, Anthony M. Crcdl, Jennifer Dunetz, Amy Feldman, Michelle Guy, Rob Kroenert. I {