1986-05-21; Central Michigan Life

              Central Michigan LIFE
Vol. 69 No. 88
C1986 CM LIFE
Mount Pleasant. Michigan 48859
12 Pa*re»
Wednesday. May 21. 1986
Ad hoc committee meets tomorrow
by PAT HOUSLEY
LIFE Editor
Some members ofthe newly formed ad hoc presidential search planning committee, which meets for the
first time tomorrow, think careful consideration is
more important than speed, while others think
prudent haste is necessary to see the process begin by
Fall.
In an earlier interview Faculty Association President
Joyce Henricks, an ad hoc committee member, said she
waa concerned about the legality of the last search
process. FA attorneys filed a suit on April 25 against
the Board for alleged violations of the Open Meetings
Act.
"We don't want this to happen again," Henricks said.
Trustee Rachael Moreno said she is not interested in
"autopsies of the past," nor in seeing the search get
started as soon as possible.
*I am not interested in speedy closure on this," she
said. *I want everything important to be considered.
One of our mistakes was to let faculty get us off the
track and move us too fast."
Moreno said the members will begin to pull together
an agenda and work towards doing a comprehensive
needs assessment.
Faculty member Dan King, psychology department,
said the purpose ofthe committee is to develop a plan
of action following the guidelines in President Arthur
Safety was a major concern as Jamie Stock instructs fire department personel about the fumes in Brooks Hall.
Ellis' letter of February 23 to the Board of Trustees.
"That's the spirit with which we've been asked to
work," he said.
Ellis sent a letter to Trustees in February urging the
Board to take action quickly to see that a new president
was selected by December, 1987.
An excerpt from his letter states "Action must be
taken at the earliest moment possible to assure that
the presidential search process begins in the Fall of
1986." And in another part of the letter he says. "The
search procedures themselves have been and remain a
part of our problem. . .. Discussions on this issue
should begin immediately and can proceed simulta-
tSee "Ad hoc"—page 12
Accident
clears
Brooks
by MARK ALLEN
LIFE Asst. News Editor
Fumes frum a ihcrnif.il
react ion led tn the ev. am al ion of
Brimks    Hall    Saturday    afti-r
1)1X111
Police    and    firemen    were
called   tn  tin*  chemical   storage
riKiiu   in   itiimks   |iist   Ill-foil.*   -*. ,
pm  alti r a mixtur/* -'. •     •' u
w..- It   •^♦■■■•..Vl^.'.-im"   i»u>>P *'  '
I In* lid nl I he rnnlaiin-1 "I.   a i i       --
it    was    stored     Thi*    rvartion
caused     fumi's    of    unknown
t ompo-at inn to fill thi* first floor
of llnmk-i
{trunks personnel said thev
did not know what chemicals
re.uted and firt-mt-n dunned
protect ive clothing and gas
masks in case the fumes wen
toxic
Chemistry department
chairman Thomas Delia said
the fumes proved lo be
non toxic but minor irritation
of the eyes and mucous
mcmliranes of those in the area
ISee "Brooks"—page 12
CU 101 rDrmm, rUrmmrt
New schedule causes
problems for leasers
by SANDRA SUTTON
LIFE News Editor
This year's change in the
University's academic calendar
caused problems and confusion
for some ofT-campus dwellers
and landlords
Academic calendar changes
were approved by the Academic
Senate in October 1984- Among
the changes favored by the
A-Senate was ending the
winter semester earlier, to take
place this Spring.
Off-campus housing leases
were still arranged according to
the old academic year when
winter semester continued into
the middle of May. Neither the
earlier ending to the regular
school year, nor the new
summer class schedule
featuring two six-week
sessions, was considered by
some landlords when leases
were written.
Chris Ferrara. Harper Woods
senior, said his lease at 917 S.
University was supposed to
expire on midnight May 10 The
summer leasors were ready to
move in earlier than Ferrara
was set to move out so he left
his apartment May lJ
"Our landlord made a
mistake . the leas*.* was set
up without thinking about a
change in the academic school
year," Ferrara said
Jodi Wagonmaker. St.
Joseph graduate student, and
Belinda Bernum. Port Huron
senior, moved into the house
when Ferrara moved out.
"The off-campus landlords
were still geared lo the old
school year." Wagonmaker
said Wagonmaker stayed with
friends between the expiration
of her lease at Preston Apartments and moving into her new
home.
Bernum said it did not seem
like landlords had been notified
of the academic calendar
change.
Necessary repairs that had to
♦See "Landlord"—page 5
Barberi fights for alcohol law
by KRIS IIAHN
LIFE StaffWriter
To discourage gatherings similar to thi* End
of the World parties. Isabella County Prosecutor Joseph Barberi said he wants to make
underage drinking a criminal offense rather
than a civil infraction
Barberi said he believes- the law contradicts
itself by telling minors they cannot drink then
only punishing them with a civil infraction.
"If we eliminate the open consumption of
alcohol, we won't have this problem next year,"
Barberi said. "It's just silly for legislators to
say "don't drink until you're 21,' and then make
it a civil infraction."
Barberi said he wants those under 21 who
openly consume alcohol to be charged with a
stifTer penalty than the civil infraction they
currently face.
During a telephone interview, Barberi said
minors in possession of alcohol should face a
misdemeanor charge as the law previously
stated.
The charge would be a simple misdemeanor
such as a person receives for a traffic infraction
or a larceny, Barberi said. It would carry a
maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and'or
$100 fine, he added
Barberi said he would not expect any
first -offense minors to be incarcerated for the
full 90 days, but sentenced to pay a $100 fine
plus $l.*-»0 court costs
"I don't anticipate, should the law lx- put
into effect, any first-time offenders spending
time in jail other than the first night," he said.
Tht- main benefit of the program is minors
would face having a permanent criminal
record. Barlieri s.ud He said having to answer
'yes' to the question 'have you ever been
convicted of a crime'.'' and paying $2f>0 in court
costs and fines would Ik* major deterrents for
minors contemplating drinking.
Barberi said he has received a strong
response almut the project since his May 6
address to the legislature concerning current
policies and the proposed change.
Most of the response has come from
Michigan police officers and groups, he said.
Representatives from one Michigan substance
abuse group have contacted Barberi saying
their group is 100 percent In-hind him, he said.
"The effect of the law (which lowered
penalties for minors I in being felt in Isabella
County." Barberi said. "The solution to the
problem is in I-ansing. Not only is underage
drinking a county problem, but it is a state
problem as well."
Barberi said during the next 30-60 days he
plans to write letters to various state groups
and legislators, soliciting their support. He
said Sen. Alan Cropsey, (R-Dewitt), has offered
to bring tbe project together into a bill.