Etcetera
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Judge Rules in EMU Foundation Case
In a long-awaited decision on the "open govemment" lawsuit filed against the EMU Foundation by AGENDA Associate Editor Eric Jackson, Judge Kurtis T. Wilder held that the public does not have the right to know how university administrators use EMU's $8 million endowment.
Over a year ago Jackson sued for disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act. The law stipulates that a body which is primarily funded by a public institution is subject to open government laws (over 90% of the EMU Foundation's money comes from the university).
The judge based his ruling on EMU's promise to nearly quadruple the endowment by the turn of the century. An appeal of his decision is expected.
EMU Contract Talks Down to the Wire
Three union locals, representing most of Eastem Michigan University's workers, are negotiating new contracts with EMU bargainers as AGENDA goes to press.
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP), which represents faculty members, reached a tentative accord with the university. The proposed contract gives only modest salary increases, but avoids health care cuts that management demanded. It now goes to the members for ratification.
EMU's non-teaching professional and technical employees are represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW). A separate UAW local represents the university's clerical workers. While the clericals' contract is not up for renegotiation this year, the professional/technical workers' contract runs out Sept. 15.
The university's maintenance crews and much of the rest of the non-teaching staff are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). AFSCME members have been working without a contract since mid-August. The local has not taken a strike vote.
Make Your Hunger Walk Plans Now!
Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice is now preparing for the 19thannual Hunger Walk to fund local hunger projects. On Sun., Sept. 12 from 2-5 pm at the 1st Baptist Church (entrance on Washington, west of State), you can pick up all the materials for your congregation or group to particípate in the walk. The walk will be held October 10, starting at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. For more information, call 663-1870.
Delegation Members Report on Haiti
Haiti Solidarity Group members Cecilia Green, Bryan Wharram and Cecelia Ober will present a first-hand report on their experiences in Haiti on Tues., Sept. 14. The talk begins at 7:30 pm at the 1st Baptist Church, 512 E. Huron. For more on this topic see the report by delegation member Alan Wald on page 8. Call 663-1870 for more information.
Condolences to Local Organizer
Sixteen-year-old Jackye McEwen died from an accidental gunshot wound on August 3. He was the son of Lendell McEwen, director of the Women's Initiative for Self-Employment (a project of the Ann Arbor Community Development Corporation). Donations are being accepted to help defray the enormous hospital and burial expenses. If you wish to help, send contributions to Leanna Chandler, 2461 Sandalwood, Ann Arbor, 48105.
Tenants' & Gay Rights Exhibits Open
From Sept. 14-21 the Mich. Union Art Lounge will be the site of an exhibition entitled: "25 Years of Tenants' Rights: An AATU Archival Exhibit."
The following week, in the same place, will be an exhibition entitled: "Pride Awareness and Commitment: Coming Out, Together. Images of our Community." This display features the works of local photographers Keary Campbell, Colleen Fitzgerald, and Linda Wan. It focuses on intimate, familial, and community relationships in the lesbian, gay male and bisexual community. There will be a reception on Fri. Sept. 24 at 4:30 pm in the art lounge. The exhibit will be shown at the North Campus Commons Atrium Gallery from Oct. 4-17.
For more information on the Tenant's Rights exhibit call the A2 Tenants Union at 763-6876. For more information on "Pride Awareness" call the Lesbian-Gay Male Programs Office at 763-4186.
Ozone House Marks 25 Years
Ozone House is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a benefit concert on Tues. Sept. 21. The concert will be held at The Ark (637-1/2 S. Main) and begins at 8 pm. Performers include O.J. Anderson, David Menefee, Catie Curtis, David Goldfinger, and a special guest trio.
Tickets are $12 and will be available in advance at local record stores and at Ozone House. All proceeds will go to Ozone House's efforts to help runaway and homeless teens.
Ozone House provides counseling for families and teens, and food, clothes, and shelter for homeless teenagers. For more information about Ozone House or for ticket information call 662-2222.
Bills Invade Privacy
Michigan House Bills 4222 and 4223, and the companion Senate Bills 231 and 232, propose monitoring and recording telephone calls by state prisoners, even when there is no reason to suspect criminal activity. Although attorney/client privilege wlll supposedly be protected, privacy traditionally afforded to husbands and wives, parishioners and clergy, or doctors and patients won't be respected under the proposed new laws.
Federal prisons, which have policles similar to those proposed for Michigan, often violate attorney-client privilege. The best-known example of this was when calls between former Panamanian President Manuel Noriega and his lawyer were recorded and widely distributed. Critics of the proposals also fear that contacts between inmates and their families will be reduced, making the process of post-release reintegration into society more difficult.
For more information on this and other issues affecting Michigan prisoners, contact the American Friends Service Committee's Criminal Justice Project at 761-8283.
Homeless Voting Rights On Line?
The Michigan Constitution does not require citizens to have a mailing address in order to vote, but it is standard practice for county clerks to require an address for voter registration. As a result, most homeless citizens find themselves unable to exercise their voting rights. A new bill sponsored by Rep. Maxine Berman (D-Southfield) would change that by allowing citizens to use homeless shelters and other temporary domiciles as official residence on voter registration forms.
The House voted in June to send the bill on to the Republican-run Senate, where it is expected to face stiff opposition. House opponents of the bill (all of whom were Republican) argued that the bill could lead to election fraud. Several states have instituted similar measures, with no known instances of resultant fraud.
- From The Tenant s' Voice, Summer 1993, c/o Ann Arbor Tenants Union, 4001 Michigan Union, Ann Arbor 48109.
Activist Physician To Speak
On Thurs. Sept. 9, Physicians for Social Responsibility is sponsoring two talks by their organization's past president, Victor W. Sidel, MD. His first talk, beginning at noon, is entitled "What Kind of Health Plan Will the United States Adopt?" This talk will take place at the U-M School of Public Health II, Thomas Francis Auditorium. At 5:45 pm, Sidel will speak on "Health, The Environment, and The Military," at the Ford Amphitheater of the U-M Medical Center (second floor, Main Hospital).
Sidel is also past president of the American Public Health Assoclation and now teaches at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. For more information call Laura Nathan at 662-2179.
'60s Exhib'rtion at the Grad. Library
An exhibit entitled "The 1960s: From Peaceful Protest to Guerilla Warfare" is on display all this month at the Special Collections Library on the seventh floor of the U-M Graduate Library.
The exhibit features items from the Labadie Collection of social protest and radical movements. Come see how a rebellious generation changed history.
Special Collections hours are 10 am-noon and 1-5 pm, Monday through Friday; and 10 am-noon on Saturday. For more information call 764-9377.