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The Michigan Daily-Friday, March 29, 1991 - Page 3
Fine to stay due
*to amendment of
retirement clause
Fire destroys
U.S.
enm
by Marc Ciagne
Daily Staff Reporter
In September, hundreds of stu-
dents battled for spots in Professor
Sidney Fine's American History
class due to speculation that it
*would be his last semester teaching.
Former doctoral students
planned a retirement party in May
to honor Fine.
The party will have to wait
though, and no one could be happier
tan the 70-year old Fine, who has
taught at the University for 43
years and isn't quite ready to go
Anywhere... yet.
"I've often said I would have to
be dragged kicking and screaming
out of the classroom. I love what
I'm doing. I did not want to retire,"
Fine said.
Y. Governor John Engler is ex-
pected to sign an amendment to the
Eiot Larson Civil Rights Act in
the next few weeks prohibiting
higher education institutions from
forcing tenured University faculty
to retire at 70. Retirement is cur-
rdntly mandatory for University
faculty on indefinite tenure when
they reach this age.
"A special University provision
would have allowed Finetovteach
next year with Professor Emeritus
status but not as a faculty member.
The new amendment assures faculty
status for Fine and other tenured
University employees for as long as
they want to teach.
g"I want to teach as long as I can
give 100 percent service in every as-
pect of teaching. I would never want
to feel as if I wasn't giving my best.
I would hope I could recognize the
difference," Fine said.
. tudents in his class
are really motivated
to do well and learn
the material and
that's a reflection of
him'
-Sarah Filmanowicz
LSA junior
Why are Fine and his classes so
popular among University stu-
dents?
"Because he's a legend on this
campus. People are both intimidated
by his class and they love it," said
LSA junior Sarah Filmanowicz, one
of the students enrolled in Fine's
History 467 class this semester.
Communication major Andrew
Berryhill said he took Fine's course
this semester because he heard it was
'I've often said I
would have to be
dragged kicking and
screaming out of the
classroom. I love
what I'm doing. I did
not want to retire'
-Sidney Fine
Professor of American
History
a "don't miss" class. "I've heard
people talk about this class for the
last two or three years," he said,
adding the class has definitely met
his expectations.
"He loves what he does. He's
been around long enough to see
things happen. He's not only some-
one who was there, but he's a histo-
rian who was there. He's quite a re-
source. Losing someone like Sidney
Fine would be a mistake, obvi-
ously," Berryhill said.
"Students in his class are really
motivated to do well and learn the
material, and that's a reflection of
him," Filmanowicz said. She said
she thinks people take Fine's class
more seriously because of its pres-
tige.
Fine said he thinks it is impera-
tive that people choose professions
which truly appeal to them. "If
you're going to live for your vaca-
tions in a nine-to-five job, you're not
going to enjoy your life."
"Students can always sense
whether or not (professors) enjoy
teaching the course," he said.
Fine holds at least five office
hours a week and said he is always
willing to meet with students
whenever possible. He said he be-
lieves accessibility makes a big dif-
ference to students. "They're proba-
bly gathering out there right now."
MOSCOW (AP) - A fire that
ravaged the U.S. Embassy yesterday
knocked out America's most impor-
tant listening post in the Soviet
Union at a time of domestic up-
heaval and sensitive arms talks.
The fire in the 10-story building,
which forced more than 200 em-
ployees to flee, was caused by weld-
ing sparks in an elevator shaft under
renovation, the official Tass news
agency reported. Flames swept to
the attic and badly damaged the an-
tenna-covered roof.
The six-hour fire destroyed areas
that house the building's sensitive
communication links. The building
is on busy Tchaikovsky Street, less
than a mile from the Kremlin, the
nerve center of Soviet power.
A U.S. source in Washington,
speaking on condition of anonymity,
said 80 percent of the embassy's ca-
pabilities were destroyed and that
virtually all secure communications
had been halted.
The United States has plenty of
use for its eyes and ears in Moscow
at a time when the Soviet Union is
struggling with economic strife,
ethnic clashes, and political dog-
fights between reformers and or-
thodox Communists.
In addition, Washington is try-
ing to negotiate a strategic arms
treaty and a conventional arms deal
with Moscow. Those talks are hold-
ing up a Moscow summit between
President Bush and President
Mikhail Gorbachev.
The embassy has been rented by
the U.S. government since 1953.
A new embassy complex less
than a block away has not been com-
pletely occupied because the Soviets
laced its main office building with
electronic listening devices during
construction.
The State Department has pro-
posed a $200 million job to remove
ibassy
the top floor of the new building to
remove the bugging devices. Three
new floors would be added for top-
security operations.
The blaze yesterday caused no se-
rious injuries, U.S. and Soviet offi-
cials said. A Marine, an American
construction worker, and a Soviet
firefighter were treated for smoke
inhalation, U.S. State Department
spokesperson Richard Boucher said
in Washington.
The fire was reported at 10:22
a.m. At one point, 180 Soviet fire-
fighters were on the scene. Marine
guards accompanied the firefighters
to some areas, embassy spokesperson
James Bullock said.
At one point,180
Soviet firefighters
were on the scene.
Marine guards
accompanied the
firefighters to some
areas
Bullock said the most heavily
damaged section of the embassy was
its center, where the roof caved in.
The roof protected areas where the
embassy's most secret business was
conducted. That section is out of
commissionfor "the indefinite fu-
ture," Bullock said.
He denied a report by Tass that
U.S. officials had refused to allow
Soviet firefighters into the building
for 40 minutes. Soviets have been
barred from most sections of the
embassy for more than four years,
and Americans did the renovation.
The fire sent diplomats scram-
bling for new offices and in a few
cases, new apartments, as they
struggled with the crowded U.S.-
Soviet agenda. However, Bullock
said a residential wing of the em-
bassy had been largely spared.
ROB KROENERT/D
Sidney Fine points out an unsuspecting student at MLB auditorium 4
while lecturing before handing out a test.
Engler expected to
sign civil rights bill
by Bethany Robertson
Daily Government Reporter
The mind isn't the first thing to
go.
That's the conclusion state legis-
lators reached after passing a bill
that eliminates mandatory retire-
ment for tenured university profes-
sors over the age of 70.
The bill, introduced in the Senate
in early February, passed quickly
through the Legislature and now
awaits Gov. John Engler's signature.
Current federal law prevents age
discrimination for all professionals
except fire fighters, police officers,
and tenured professors. In 1994,
professors will be included under
this same policy.
Although the new federal law
will take effect in three years,
Michigan lawmakers realized there
were several professors who would
be forced to retire before that time.
"We had a significant number of
eminent faculty members who
wished to continue teaching, but
would have had to retire," said the
bill's sponsor, State Sen. John
Schwarz (R-Battle Creek).
University History Prof. Sidney
Fine, 70, was one professor facing
retirement at the end of the year.
"Prof. Fine is the perfect exam-
ple of an active, respected faculty
member ... who would have been
forced into retirement had this bill
not passed," said Schwarz, a former
student of Fine's.
"I would suggest that Prof. Fine
was was one of the main reasons it
went through as quickly as it did,"
said Keith Molin, associate vice
president for University govern-
ment relations.
Tenured or contracted professors
were not originally included in the
"The feds were convinced that it,
federal non-discrimination policy
due to fears that older professors
might glut the system, Schwarz
said.
may not be a wise decision because it
would be a disincentive to younger
faculty members to stay at universi-
ties where there was no mandatory
retirement age," Schwarz said.
If signed by the governor, the
state legislation would give profes-
sors the opportunity to teach for as
long as they wish. Biology
Department Chair Charles Yocum
said he did not think too many
University professors would take'
advantage of the bill.
"I think a lot of faculty mem-
bers are sufficiently conscientious
to recognize the fact that they need
to retire," Yocum said. "Perhaps
the big impact may be in the way the
University plans to hire new fac-
ulty members."
Yocum explained that if the
University has to continue to pay
older professors, there may not be as
many opportunities to hire new fac-
ulty members. But he said he did not
think enough professors would con-
tinue to work past age 70 to create a
problem.
The bill is now being examined
by the state's clerk office, but
Engler Press Secretary John
Truscott said he expects the gover-
nor to approve the legislation.
Truscott explained the need for
legislation to prevent age discrimi-
nation.
"There are some professors near
the mandatory age barrier that still
have quite a bit to offer," Truscott
said.
Fine could not agree more.
"I'm working my 70 hour week
and enjoying 69 and 1/2, as I always
have," Fine said.
4.
aTHE LIST
What's happening in Ann Arbor today
Meetings
Friday
Ultimate Frisbee Club, weekly mtg.
Practice football field, 11 p.m.
Sunday
UMAASC Steering Committee,
weekly mtg. Union, rm 4202, 1 p.m.
Feminist Women's Union, weekly
meeting. Call 662-1958 for info.
jnion, 4:00.
U-M Chess Club, weekly practice.
Call Tony Palmer (663-7147) for info.
League, 1:00.
International Observer Magazine,
open mtg. Union, Crowfoot Rm, 8 p.m.
Speakers
Friday
"Assessing the Appropriateness of
Improper Prior Distributions,"
Morris Easton of the University of
Minnesota. 451 Mason, 4 p.m.
"Trade Competition, Conflict and
Political Transformations in 15th to
16th Century Philippine
Chiefdoms," Laura Junker. 4560 LSA,
4 p.m.
"Modeling Error Compensation for
Adaptive and Nonadaptive Model
Reference Control Designs," Jing
Sun of Wayne State University. EECS
1200,4 p.m.
Edward Rankus, visiting video festi-
val artist. MLB Lec 1, 7 p.m.
Furthermore
Safewalk, nighttime safety walking
service, from 8-11:30 Fri.-Sat., 8-1:30
Sun.-Thurs. Stop by 102 UGLi or call
936-1000. Also at the Angell Hall
Computing Center, Sun-Thur, 1-3 a.m.
Call 763-4246 or stop by the courtyard.
Northwalk, North Campus nighttime
U of M Taijiquan Club. Sat. and Sun.,
Cube, 8 a.m.
Ann Arbor Pow Wow. Crisler Arena,
Sat. 1 p.m. and 6:30, Sun. 1 p.m.
Friday
U of M Women's Rugby Club, Friday
practice. Sports Coliseum, 8-10 p.m.
U of M Ninjitsu Club. For infocall
David Dow, 668-7478. IM bldg,
wrestling rm, 7-9.
U of M Shorin-Ryu Karate-do Club,
Friday workout. Call 994-3620 for
info. CCRB Martial Arts Rm., 6:30-
7:30.
U of M Tae Kwon Do Club, Friday
workout. CCRB Small Gym, 6-8:00.
German Club Stammtisch, weekly
event. Union, U-Club, 7-9.
Clinic Defense. Meet at the Cube at
5:15 a.m.
"The Politics of AIDS," conference.
Hale Auditorium, 1-4.
The Impact of East Asia of
American Culture, conference. Lane
Hall Commons, 9-4.
"Indigenous Struggles," Native
American Law Days. Hutchins Hall,
rm 250, 2-5.
"Nine and A Half Weeks," film.
International Center, 7 p.m.
Stress and Times Mangement
Consultations with peer counselors.
Mondays 1-4, Thursdays 10-2, and
Fridays 1-4. 3100 Michigan Union or
call 764-8312.
Saturday
U of M Shotokan Karate Club, Sat-
urday practice. CCRB Small Gym, 3-
5:00.
Sunday
Sunday Social, weekly event for in-
ternational and American students.
International Center, 603 E.Madison,
6:30-8:30.
Five 'U'
profs.
honored
for work
by Garrick Wang
Daily Staff Reporter
Five University faculty mem-
bers have been selected as Arthur F.
Thurnau professors in recognition
of their excellence in undergraduate
education, but their job has just be-
gun.
"What I like about this profes-
sorship is that it says essentially,
'We observe that you're doing your
best; now go out and get better,"'
said Associate English Prof. Ralph
Williams, an award recipient.
"I'm deeply gratified to have
been honored in this way,"
Economics Prof. William Adams
said.
Williams, Adams, Associate
Nursing Prof. Susan Boehm,
Associate Physics Prof. Jean Krisch,
and Music Prof. Donald Sinta were
formally recognized at the Honors
Convocation last Sunday.
The University appoints five
faculty members as Thurnau profes-
sors each year. Their three-year ap-
pointments are not renewable. The
Thurnau Professorship was estab-
lished in honor of Arthur Thurnau, a
University student from 1902-1904.
Thurnau stipulated in his will
that the University establish a trust
fund in his honor to support the
teaching activities of undergraduate
professors.
Each Thurnau professor receives
a $20,000 grant which comes from
the trust's accrued interest. In addi-
tion, grants must be used during the
appointment to purchase materials
and equipment necessary to enhance
the professor's teaching.
"This grant will allow me the
opportunijy to contribute to the
quality of education and the chance
to add to one's knowledge,"
Williams said.
The nomination process began
Cartoons!
Cartoons!
Cartoons!
Weekend is looking for a
cartoonist who is ready to
begin work next term.
Call Gil at 764-0552.
Religious
Services
CANTERBURY HOUSE
(Episcopal Church at U-M)
218 N. Division (at Catherine)
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
Holy Eucharist-5 p.m. at St. Andrew's
Supper-6 p.m. at Canterbury I louse
The Rev. virginia Peacock, Ph.D., Chaplain
Call 665-0606
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
AMERICAN BAPTIST CAMPUS CENTER
502 E. Huron
SUN.: Worship-9:55 a.m.
WED. Supper & Fellowship-5:30 p.m.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1432 Washtenaw Ave.
(Between Hill & South University)
SUNDAYS
Worship-9:30 & 11 a.m.
Campus Faith Exploration Group-9:30
THURSDAYS:
Campus Worship & Dinner--5:30 p.m.
For information, call 662-4466
Amy Morrison, Campus Pastor
LUTHERAN CAMPUS MINISTRY
LORD OF LIGHT LOTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA
801 South Forest (at Hill Street), 668-7622
SUNDAY: Worship-10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY: Worship-7:30 p.m.
Campus Pastor John Rollefson
ST. MARY'S STUDENT PARISH
(A Roman Catholic Community at U-M)
331 Thompson Street
SAL: Weekend Liturgies-5 p.m., and
SUN.:-8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 noon, and 5 p.m.
M.: Confessions-4-5 p.m.
51N. March 31: Easter Mass-:30 a.m.,
10 a.m., 12noon
ED. April 3: Bishop Gumbleton-7 p.m.
St., April 6: Allegro Coffee House-
8-10:30 am.
UNIVERSITY LUTHERAN CHAPEL
1511 Washtenaw
FRIDAY, March 29: Crucifixion Story
Read-12 noon, 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
Tenebrea Service-7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY.,March 30: EasterVigil-11 p.m
SUNDAY, March 31: Bre..kfast-9 p.m.
Festival of the Ressurection
Service-10:30 a.m.
nFl~...Fri. ~e.GZKKtL.re
UPSA to hold AIDS
conference today
by Chris Afendulis
Daily Staff Reporter
The political implications of the
AIDS epidemic will be explored
tomorrow in the annual Undergrad-
uate Political Science Association
(UPSA) Conference.
The conference, which will be
held from 1-4 p.m. in the Business
School's Hale Auditorium, will
feature national and local experts
on AIDS policy.
LSA senior and UPSA Confer-
ence committee chair Gretchen
Kline said the group chose this
year's topic because of the lack of
discussion of the issue's policy as-
pects.
"With the AIDS epidemic,
what's really been ignored are...
what legislators and the executive
branch are doing," she said.
Dr. Rna~ld St.iJhn. the Depunity
Donna Pressman, - advisor and
chair, respectively, of the National
Task-Force on Children and HIV
Infection - and Cathy Cohen of the
University's Department of Politi-
cal Science will discuss how the dis-
ease affects women, children, and
minorities.
The second panel will explore
how the disease fits into the public
health policy agenda. The partici-
pants include: David Hansell,
deputy executive director for Policy
of the Gay Men's Health Crisis,
New York; Dr. Dawn Smith, re-
search fellow at the School of Pub-
lic Health; and Randy Pope, chief of
the Special Office on AIDS Preven-
tion for the Michigan Department
of Public Health.
Kline said the conference's