1991-05-22; Central Michigan Life

              Central
Michigan
WEDNESDAY
May 22, 1991
-^
VOLUME 73, NUMBER 86 Vfe MOUNTPLEASANT/MICHJGAN 488§9
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12 PA&E51
Haunting possibility
Lack of state funds may render science
complex unoccupied after construction
by BRIAN D. BELL
LIFE News Editor
Although Dow Science Complex
construction continues, whether the
University will have funding to open it
for use after its completed is questionable.
An estimated $2.6 million in state
funding for fiscal year 1991 - '92 is
needed to cover initial costs of opening
and operating Science II.
"There's a good possibility we'll get
nothing for building opening," said
President Edward B. Jakubauskas. "If
we don't get it. we're in a real bind."
Without   such   funding,   even   if  the
building is completed, it could remain
dormant and unoccupied, he said.
"It's going to be a serious problem,"
Jakubauskas said.
But remaining in Brooks will violate
agreement provisions between the
University and state with the general
contractor, Spence Bros., of Saginaw,
said David Murphy, associate vice
provost.
According to the contract the University must vacate portions of Brooks Hall
soon after Science II's expected completion in March so contractors can begin
Brooks renovations, Murphy said.
Upon Science II's completion, the
See SCIENCE Page 2
Park may host another
technological company
within a couple years
LIFE Photo/Mic Stankiewicz
The state may not give CMU the $2.6 million it needs to cover the costs of
opening and operating the Dow Science Complex.
Violators may pay
more for parking in
handicapped spaces
bv GRETCHEN VAN CLEAVE "It gives the University the
by LORI ROBINSON
LIFE Staff Writer
If Middle Michigan Development
Corporation's long-term plans bear
fruit, in a couple years, CMU will host
another technological corporation in
University Park.
MMDC President George W. Dunn
announced a new prospect for the
technological park at the development
organization's May 15 board of directors
meeting.
He said the company is expected to
make its decision roughly 18 months
from now.
"Business is slow, not only here, but
nationally," he said. "This is not the
hottest time for companies to be moving
about."
Russ Herron, vice president for
University Relations said an automotive industry-related robotics company
See DEVELOP Page 2
by GRETCHEN VAN CLEAVE
LIFE Staff Writer
Illegal use of handicap
parking spaces on campus may
soon carry as hefty a fine as it
does off campus.
The Michigan House of
Representative unamimously
passed a bill May 15 which
would raise the maximum fine
for abuse of handicap parking
slots to $100 and the minimum
to $50 — the current perame-
ters for off-campus violators.
Currently, the maximum fine
for illegal parking at CMU is
$25.
The city commission sets
fines, within the boundaries of
state legislation, said building
official Bill McCracken.
"I think the University
should bring its fine structure
into conformity with the city,
which is already at $50," said
Nolan Kaiser, professor of
philosophy and chair of the
Isabella County Handicap
Advisory Committee. "I hope
this bill will be passed in the
senate and passed by the
governor."
"It gives the University the
opportunity to reduce the
number of handicap parking
violations and that is an
improvement."
Illegal handicap parking is a
serious problem at CMU, as an
April study by the Isabella
County Handicap Advisory
Committee revealed. Between
8 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., 32 of 35
motorists parked in front of the
UC were illegally parked in
handicapped spaces.
Director of Public Safety
John McAuliffe campaigned in*
Lansing during the Spring of
1990 to introduce legislation
similar to the McBryde bill, but
his attempts were unsuccessful.
McAuliffe shared his
concerns v/ith Greg Morriss,
executive assistant to the president, governmental relations,
who presented the issue to
McBryde.
McBryde  introduced the bill
on    April    18,    and   "it    moved
through     the     system     very
quickly," he said.
"   McBryde     was     the     first
JIM McBRYDE
freshman, or first-termer, to
get a bill past the House this
session.
A bill takes a minimum of six
months, once it is out of
committee, before it becomes
law, he said, adding that the
next steps are approval from
the House and Governor
Engler.
"I don't know if it will pass as
quickly, but it will pass. It is a
bill that you can make good
arguments for. I do not expect
any opposition from the
governor on this bill," McBryde
said.
See FINES Page 2
Opinions differ about
bill aimed at rewarding
some state universities
by YVONNE C. CLAES
LIFE Managing Editor
Fear of double-digit tuition increases at some of Michigan's 15
public universities has prompted legislators to devise a way to
reward institutions that keep rising costs at bay.
The state House of Representatives* Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education released its proposed higher
education budget May 8 for fiscal year 1991 - '92.
The budget contains an incentive for institutions to keep tuition
and fee increases down. A university that keeps increases at or
below the rate of inflation — 3.9 percent — will garner a 4.2
percent boost in state funding, said Greg Rosine, associate
director of the House Fiscal Agency.
Universities exceeding the recommended level will have their
4.2 percent increase divided among institutions that comply.
In addition, the state wili give universities that kept tuition
levels below the average between 1982 - '83 to 1990 - '91 a slice of a
$1.2 million pie, Rosine said.
During those years, tuition at the state's 15 public universities
rose an average of 61.4 percent. CMU's tuition increased 66
percent during that time, a larger increase than all but four public
instittitions, Rosine said.
Seven universities — Eastern Michigan, Grand Valley, Lake
Superior State, Nothern, Oakland, Saginaw Valley and Wayne
State are eligible for the bonuses, according to HEIDI, a database
operated by the state.
Rosine said he does not understand why some universities have
sharply raised tuition in recent years. From 1982 - '83 to 1990 - '91
state appropriations increased 57.8 percent, he said.
Although   some   feel   the  proposal   would  relieve  students  of
See INCREASE Page 12