The Michigan Daily -Thursday, February 14, 1991 - Page 3 Comm. faculty elnitiate x. . Changes 6y Sona Iyengar The obstacle which blocked the -entrance to upper-level communi- -.ction courses has been removed. Communication 103, Media of Mass Communication, is a broad sirvey course which covers every- 'ihing from the history of radio and television to publicrelations. Al- 4though it has been dropped as a ,prerequisite for upper-level clas- "ses it is still required for communication majors. The course simply wasn't needed tounderstand the upper- *ievel classes, said Department of Communication Curriculum Com- mittee Chair Professor Hayg Osha- an. *an."Our classes don't build on hemselves in the progressive 'fanner," he said. "This is true of 'iiost of the social sciences." Initially, 103's purpose was 'prtly to limit enrollment" in up- *per-level classes," Oshagan said. , Communication majors declar- 'ipg this Fall must take one class from each of three different areas: ,historical and legal issues, media criticism and analysis, and mass ,communication processes and ef- fects. Previously, majors were re- quired to take 103, 202 (Freedom of Expression), 250 (Information O41athering), and five courses in three different areas. ; Lisa Fromm, LSA Junior, said -she liked Comm. 103. "1 thought it (was a broad overview of commu- nications and a good class for peo- ple to take," Fromm said. "But I don't think it's necessary to take that t6 take other communcation clas- Nicole Dean, a LSA senior and a communication major, said the bourse discourages people from majoring in communication. "It's a 4deterrent; it certainly weeds out a lot -of people," she said. "I think it's fantastic that they are dropping it." GEG, University settle initial contract issues by Stefanie Vines Daily Faculty Reporter Members of the Graduate Em- ployees' Organization (GEO) and the University Bargaining Commit- tee met last night to finish negoti- ating non-economic issues for GEO's new contract. The main area of debate was the University grievance policy for TAs. GEO, seeking more pay for TA duties outside the classroom, such as grading papers, proposed that this pay be calculated to a fraction of an hour, rather than rounding off by the hour. The proposal also included compensation for TAs who work overtime. The proposal was re- jected by the University. The University made a counter- proposal which called for a cut in the hours grievances to go to out- side arbitration. The cut would eliminate the ability of TAs and other staff members to settle grievances in Administrative Court and allow the University to make final decisions about grievances. GEO refused the counter-proposal. Colleen Dolan-Green, the head of the University Bargaining Committee, could not be reached for comment. According to Chris Roberson, president of GEO and head of the Bargaining Team, other issues un- der negotiation were: a proposal for more ethnic subdivisions of Latino students and TAs to clear up confusion about racial categories; more information from the University about TA membership in each department and the num- ber of TAs being fired and re-hired each semester; a proposal to forbid Univer- sity branches from taking action against TA grievances until the grievance filed is made official; the option to receive pay in- stead of academic credit as com- pensation for teaching, and; exclusive rights to determin- ing final grades. Of the non-economic issues be- ing negotiated only two were com- pletely or partially resolved. The University agreed to give GEO more information about class sizes and funding for TAs and to extend the grievance time period from 20 to 40 days. However, several issues were left unresolved. "They (the University) did not respond to the issue of pay as op- posed to academic credit and they didn't say whether or not TAs will have the final say on grades," said John Robb, a member of the GEO Bargaining Team. Robb added that because no of- ficial ground rules had been set by the University and GEO that these issues would remain on the bar- gaining table for the next negotia- tion meeting Feb. 22. Despite the unresolved non- economic issues, Robb was satis- fied with the negotiations. "We feel like we are making progress. We've resolved some of the key issues and we are moving ahead, but we still have a lot tb discuss," Robb said. Roberson said, "The bargaining is proceeding at the rate I ex- pected it to. However, I think the University will present a financial package for us to pass before break." Economic issues to be di$- cussed at the next meeting in- clude: the new contract, a pro- posed pay increase, childcare and health-care benefits and a life-ad- justment clause. Plans to mobilize more GEO members before the next negotig- tion meeting are under way. GEO organizer Ingrid Kock said an informational meeting to ex- plain both the non-economic and economic issues will be held next Thursday, Feb. 21 at 7:30 pm in Rackham Auditorium. "Right now is the time when graduate students can come to- gether. By becoming more united, we can assure greater success at the negotiation meetings," Kock said. Pump it up! LSA junior Jeff Katz lifts weights at Hollywood Bodies Fitness Center to get in shape for spring break. 'U' employees question health benefits by Jami Blaauw tire program, whereas three differ- the changes, and is unhappy with happy with your current M-Care Karl Wiz When the University changed ent companies controlled parts of the different payment plans. HMO or M-Care Major Medical the M-Pref its medical benefits program last the M-Care program. While offer- As an outpatient in the chemi- program and do not wish to change wa year, many employees thought the ing expanded benefits, M-Preferred cal dependency program, he said change, you need to do nothing." employee p change would not affect them. But has left some new carriers un- the 50 percent co-pay fee, which is The brochure added, "M-Preferred ministrative with the first claims being filed, happy. required under M-Preferred, was is the new name for M-Care Major separate car some say they've been misled. "I was confused about the en- not a part of the previous basic Medical." gram. plan zinsky, administrator tf ferred plan, said the s meant to decrease ay deductions and ad- expenses from three viers running the pro- admits that the plan but said, "I feel coni- h the changes and fe(l enefit the employees"' changes were made as sible. deductions have either he same or decreased Preferred plan. Last fall, the University changed the basic health care plan offered to faculty and staff from M- Care to M-Preferred. Faculty and staff were given a choice between the two plans. M-Preferred consol- idated health coverage under one company. Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BC/BS) now underwrites the en- tire situation and wasn't aware of the rate change until I received a bill for a higher co-pay," said Joan Bennett, a research associate with the University for five years. "Many people may not be aware of the change until they file a claim." Another research associate claims he was misinformed about (BC/BS) plan he had under M- Care. The employee, who asked not to be identified, said the informa- tion he received about the change indicated the benefits would still be the same. A brochure sent out by the ad- ministrative office for the new M- Preferred plan states, "If you are The employee followed the guidelines in the brochure and did not change his coverage. However, he discovered the outpatient chem- ical dependency coverage has changed to a 20 visit maximum per calendar year with a 50 per- cent co-pay, from a policy which covered all "reasonable and cus- tomary charges." Wizinsky is differentI fortable with that they be He said the clear as pos Payroll d remained th with the M-F THE, LIST ,tWhat's happening in Ann Arbor today Basketball player refuses to wear flag, quits NCAA team Meetings ACT-UP Ann Arbor, weekly meeting. Group not affiliated with Revolutionary Workers' League. Call -665-1797 or 662-6282 for info. Union, :,Rm. 1209,7:30. ACT-UP, weekly meeting. Union, Rm. 2209,7:30. Tagar, weekly meeting. Hillel, 8 p.m. "College Life, weekly meeting, sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ. Dental School, G005 Kellogg 'Aud., 7 p.m. In Focus Filmworks, weekly mtg. '1051 Frieze, 7 p.m. Armenian Students' Cultural Association, Michigan Union, ;Michigan Rm, 6:30. Men's Support Group, mass mtg, -SAPAC. 580 Union Dr, Rm. L-107, 5 p. Persian Gulf Mutual Support, weekly mtg. 3100 Union, 12-1. Society of Women Engineers, mtg. 1200 EECS, 6:15. SALSA meeting, Trotter House, 7:30. Journey Women, a women and spirituality group. Guild House, 802 Monroe, 7:30. Speakers "The Origins of the Ainu Language," by Alexander Vovin. Lane Hall Commons, noon. "Differing Cultural Expectations in Intercultural Romance." International Center, noon. "Our Endangered Black Youth: Implications for Higher Education," by Jewelle Taylor Gibbs of the University of California- Berkeley. Rackham, East Conference. .Rm, 1-3. "The Praise of Josquin and the Virgin Mary," by Howard Mayer Brown. School of Music, Blanche Anderson Moore Hall, 4 p.m. I'Schemas of Altruism," by Gene Burnstein. Rackhan, EastbLecture Rmn, 4 p.m. "The Progression of Gospel Music - From Traditional to Contemporary," by Horace Boyer of the University of Massachusetts- Amherst. 106 W. Engineering, 4 p.m. "Near-Field Scanning Optic Microscopy," by Dr. Eric Betzig of AT&T Bell Laboratories. Chem Bldg, rm 1640, 4 p.m. "Eradicating the Lie: Blacks and Christianity," part of the Black. Religious History Series. Union, Pendleton Rm, 7 p.m. "The Bible and Tradition: Sources of the Orthodox Christian Faith," by Fr. Matthew Searfoorce. Union, rm 2209,7-8. "The Hidden Casualities of War," by Dr. Louise Cainkar of the Palestinian Human Rights Informa- tion Center International. Nat Sci Aud, 7:30. "Behavioral Ecology and Conservation of Orangutans and Gibbons," by Dr. John Mitani. 1040 Dana Bldg, 8 p.m. Furthermore Safewalk, nighttime safety walking service. Functions 8-1:30 a.m. Sun.- Thurs. Call 936-1000 or stop by 102 UGLi. Northwalk, North Campus nighttime safety walking service. Functions 8- 1:30 a.m. Sun.-Thurs. Call 763-WALK or stop by 2333 Bursley. ECB Peer Writing Tutors available to help with your papers Sunday- Wednesday, Angell/Haven Computing Center, 7-11:00. 611 Church St. Computing Center, Tuesday, Thursday, 7-11, Wednesday, 8-10. Russkij Chaj, weekly Russian conversation practice. MLB 3rd floor conference rm., 4-5:00. U of M Shotokan Karate Club, Thursday workout. CCRB Small Gym, 8-10:00. Abbott Laboratories Presentation. Chem Bldgrm 1706, 7 p.m. Bake Sale, sponsored by the An- thropology Club. MLB, 9-2. Guild House Winter Writers Series, weekly event. 802 Monroe, 8:30. Searching for a Summer Job or Internship. MLB, Lec. Rim 1, 4:10-5. Strategies for the .90s: Dual Careers. Center for the Education of Women, 4:10-6. Support Our Soldiers Rally. Diag, SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (AP) - Seton Hall basketball player Marco Lokar yesterday quit the team and announced plans to re- turn to his native Italy, escaping the controversy he stirred after de- ciding not to wear the American flag on his uniform. The flag flap surrounding Lokar had its roots in a decision by 12 members of the team to put U.S. flags on their uniforms. Only Lokar refused, saying, "From a Christian standpoint I cannot support any war." The situation escalated at the Feb. 2 game against St. John's at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where Lokar was heck- led in warm-ups and on the bench. When he got into the game, he was booed every time he touched the ball. The night before the game, Coach P.J. Carlesimo said Lokar got a telephone call from his wife, saying that she had been receiving threatening calls. Carlesimo and athletic director Larry Keating expressed sorrow that the flag flap prompted the sophomore guard to leave school, but said he would be welcome to return next year. e1ah and use 6tfy Cfassifle&.4 Food Buys COOKIES for Valentines Day. Send your sweetheart a gift tin of Mrs. Peabody's cookies We ship anywhere in the Continental U.S. $ Get your Cookie Heart Roses while they last! 761-CHIP 715 N. University We cater to parties Ask about our group discounts NY a Valentine *s Special S$4.95 ONE HEART SHAPED pizza with Yy I cheese, one topping and two1 servings of Pepsi. S Offer expires February 17, 1991, One coupon per order Not vlidwh ainy ther i O restaurant or The Cottage Inn Cafe. Valid at |-. pa . articipating storesolnit ed deliery area ' -- -- --- - ( ECOAO-CAR )PEN 7 DAYS A WEEK " Rentals available to those 21 years of age and older " Special weekend rates - Pick-up services upon request - = t I i T /1 - - - -% % T 4 l ^ 1 - f %- Mi i