F' IOCAIL/STAII The Michigan Daily - Friday, October 6, 1995 - 7 Econ.and Russian clashn clssroom By Heathe E~gr For the Daly The lights went out on an Economics 401 exam Wednesday when two Rus- sian studies classes demanded the audi- torium to show a film. The economics exam was scheduled from 6:30-8 p.m. in Angell Hall Audito- rium A. A Russian Films course is regu- larly scheduled in the same room at 7p.m. Approximately 100-130 economics stdentswereahalf-hourintotheirexams when students from two Russian studies courses began to enter the room. About 10-20 students arrived to view the film. The question became, which was more important-the film or the exam. "I think that it's unfortunate that the interests of a great many students were sacrificed for the interests of a few," said economics Visiting Prof. Peter Morgan. Economics Assistant Prof. YanChen also was in the room and said she asked Russian films Prof. Herbert Eagle if he could postpone the film or move it to another room. Eagle said no. "We were the regularly scheduled class," Eagle said yesterday. "I felt the (economics) instructors didn't show concern for my class." Eagle said films are rented and re- turned the following day. "If the stu- dents miss it, it's gone," he said. Eagle added that scheduling for the auditoriums is tight, so it was not pos- sible to move his class to another room. "An exam can be regiven," he said. But economics students disagreed. EngineeringjuniorAmy Weenersaid, "It's inconsiderate. Exams are more important than a class." LSA senior Matthew Pryce agreed with Weener. "The test was completely comprised," he said. Eagle was "very adament about the whole thing.... I've never seen anything like it," he said. Chen said Eagle was "totally insensi- tive." "He insisted very loudly that he was going to tum out the light and start the movie," she said. "I was so angry." Prof. Janet Gerson oversees all the Economics401 classes. "It's really hard on (the students)," she said. "They stud- ied for the exam and thought they would be taking it. "(Eagle) could have at least let my students take the exam," she said. The economics students' exam was postponed, but the exam had been di- vided into four separate rooms and stu- dents in the other three classrooms com- pleted the exam. Those who did not finish the exam may either have their grades calculated with one fewertest or retake it next week. "The initial culprit is the scheduling office," Eagle said. Ie said thereneeded tobemore com- munication between departments to prevent scheduling problems. "There was no way to solve (the conflict)," Eagle said. "There could be no winners." Committee OKs stronger drivers' license requirements LANSING (AP) - Youngsters anxious to get their driv- ers' licenses would have to spend more time behind a desk and pay for training under a plan approved by the House Transportation Committee yesterday. The committee voted unanimously to require more time in the classroom and behind the wheel with an adult passenger before students could get an unrestricted license. Lawmakers also approved a plan to allow schools to charge for driver education courses. But the bill is filled with potential cost increases and a constitutional problem that could stall it during full House debate. "Sure there will be problems we have to work out, but compared to the costs we are experiencing now, graduated licensing is a real bargain," said Patricia Waller, head of the University's Transportation Research Institute. Waller said the total social cost of a fatal accident averages about $2 million. She said that diminishes any concern about moderate fee and cost increases, which no one could estimate during the three-hour hearing. Rep. Dan Gustafson (R-Williamston), sponsor of the bill, said the potential costs would be dealt with later. "If we are going to wait on graduated driver licensure to resolve fee issues and cost issues, we are not going to see graduated driver licensure until more children are rushed through this minimal experience system and more children are killed," he said. Gustafson's bill would require 30 hours in class and six hours on the road before students could get a restricted license. The current minimum is 22 hours in class and four hours on the road to get an unrestricted license. The bill would allow students to begin driver education three months before their 15th birthdays. Students would have to attend an initial education course, part of the 30-hour requirement, and one of their parents or an appointed adult would have to attend one class before the students could get an instructional license. Students also would have to pass vision and written tests to get that license. With that permit, students could drive only with a parent or an appointed adult. At 16, students could apply for a less restrictive license. They would have to go three months without an accident, complete a second class and log 50 hours driving time, including 10 hours at night, with an adult. They also would have to pass a driving test that would be administered by private companies at the students' expense. The state did away with across the board driving tests in 1978. It does require driving tests for some individuals, including students with old driver's education certificates or those who had no on-street driving during their train- ing. The second-level license would allow students to drive without an adult, but would keep them off the road from midnight to 5 a.m. It also would allow only one non-family passenger unless a parent was in the car. Students going to and from work would be exempt from those restrictions. At 17, students could get an unrestricted license if they had gone six months without an accident. Scott and Lynda Barnes of Mason said the gradual process was worth any additional cost and added procedures. Their 15-year-old daughter, Collette, was killed this summer when she was riding in acar with a 15-year-old driver who only had a learner's permit. "Witnesses to the accident said as the car was coming up to the stop sign, the kids were laughing and not paying attention," Scott Barnes said. The provision to allow schools to charge for driver educa- tion courses could raise a constitutional problem because schools are required to teach such courses. Smiling in the rain Patrick McNeely, an Ann Arbor Pioneer High School student, uses a garbage bag to protect himself from the rain yesterday afternoon. Hos Programnto host lunch for lumni GAMMA PHI BETA RUSH A NEW BEGINNING By Eileen Reynolds For the Daily The Honors Program will hold its annual Honors Alumni Council meet- ing today. Events include lunch with distinguished alumni, presentations, council meetings andpanel discussions. The featured guest, Pete Schweitzer, is CEO of J. Walter Thompson Adver- tising. Schweitzer, an Honors alum, is devoted to aiding Honors students in gaining valuable work experience. Last year, Schweitzer founded a paid internship program at his firm. LSA junior Jennifer Harvey, one of three honors students who interned this sum- merwith J. Walter Thompson, also will speak. The Honors Alumni Council, com- prised of 12 alums, is an advisory group that meets each fall to evaluate and advise the program. The council is a similar, yet smaller, version ofthe LSA Visiting Committee. "We try to get successful doctors and lawyers to come to our meetings," said Liina Wallin, Honors coordinator. "The advisors act as sounding boards as to what the Honors Program is, and what it should be," Wallin said. The panel will deal with current is- sues affecting the Honors Program and the University. Topics include changes in computer records, living-learning programs - such as the Pilot Program in Alice Lloyd residence hall - and new technology being introduced to the University. Ruth Scodel, director of the Honors Program and professor ofGreek and classical studies, will mediate the panel. The Honors Program has approxi- mately 1,800 students, in all four years. Admission to the program is competi- tive. Most students are admitted to the program upon their enrollment at the University. The top 10 percent of the entering first-year class is invited to join the Honors Program. OPEN HOUISE Sunday 11-6 Monday Tuesddy 9-6 EVERYONE WELCOME Jnfrmltiom 761-1520 If your name is Roula, raise your hand ... ... The rest of you, come write for the Daily. .5, a IF YOU DON'T CARE ,, ; 4 [1' ry ' r: a . T JII , i S, DON'T COME r. - - - - - A i V*4-