1984-02-06; Central Michigan Life

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Michigan LIFE
Vol. 66 No. 52
©1984 CM LIFE
16 pages
Mount Pleasant, Mich. 48859
Monday, February 6,1984
BCA conditions
anger students
by DENNIS GARCIA
UFE Staff Writer
A group of angry broadcasting students is upset with the
current conditions of the
Broadcasting Department at
Central and is trying to do
something about it.
The lack of faculty, the problem of receiving prerequisite
courses and the condition of
equipment in the department
currently used in production
classes are problems Student
Representatives, a group of
broadcasting majors, hopes to
alleviate, Joyce Nader, spokeswoman for the group, said.
The group plans to meet Fri
day with Myron Henry, dean of
the College of Arts and Sciences, Nader said.
"People are always talking
about how hard it is to get the
basic courses in broadcasting
but they never do anything about," Nader, Birmingham
sophomore, said. "I am tired of
not getting the classes I need
for my major."
Approximately two weeks
ago Nader formed Student
Representatives consisting of
students with radio, television
and film backgrounds.
"I'd hate to see the reputation of CMU's broadcasting
field decline after people like
Dr. Joe (Misiewicz, chairman
of the Broadcasting Department) have worked so hard to
build it up," said Ann Marie
Dilworth, treasurer of Alph
Epsilon Rho and a member of
Student Representatives.
"Even though I'm a senior it
will effect me because employers will look back and see
what kind of a broadcasting
program Central has and if it
declines it is going to hurt me
too," Dilworth, Livonia senior,
said.
♦See "BCA" —page 15
Injury lawsuit brings
CMU immunity claim
byTOMWICKHAM
LIFE Copy Editor
CMU is claiming governmental immunity in a
S75.00O lawsuit filed by a student who alleges
he was injured when he fell on a snow and ice—
covered campus sidewalk in 1982.
Peter C. Quinnan, Clare junior, filed a claim
Sept. 1, 1983 in state Court of Claims alleging he
suffered injuries — including a broken leg —
when he slipped and fell on a sidewalk near
Moore Hall in February 1982.
The University's attorney, Michael S. Condon, filed a defense statement Jan. 24 stating
CMU is protected by governmental immunity
because it is affiliated with the state.
The University also denies liability for Quin-
nan's claims that it acted "negligently,
carelessly and recklessly" by not providing
safe access of University walkways, not salting
and removing snow and ice from walkways and
not offering protection from such hazards.
Condon said further motions and depositions
will be filed in court but no specific dates have
been set.
"There's going to have to be some more
checking done," Condon said regarding the extent of governmental immunity.
"They (governmental units) just can't be
sued for certain things," he said. "There are
always exceptions. I can't be more specific."
Quinnan and his attorney James S. Bicknell
III, both refused comment on the lawsuit.
"In fairness to my client and myself I care not
to comment,** BickhHl said. **I think the plea
speaks for itself."
Quinnan previously filed his complaint
against CMU in Isabella County Circuit Court
but the case was dismissed Aug. 12, 1983, because it was not filed in the proper court. Condon said.
♦See "Lawsuit" — page 2
Brotherly support
Greek Rush Week ended with the bi-annual celebration of pledge acceptance — bid day — Friday afternoon in Finch Fieldhouse. See related story
page five.
Alma resident files petition to recall Engler
by PAUL MASON
UFE Ass't. News Editor
A recall effort was started
against Republican Sen. John
Engler Friday, just one day after he was voted the first GOP
majority leader since 1974.
Charles P. Murphy of Alma
filed a proposed recall petition
in the County Clerk's office
Friday for official approval of
the petition's language. The
County Election Commission,
composed of the county
treasurer, county clerk and
Probate Judge David Burroughs, must approve the
wording of recall petitions before their circulation.
We had to expect this kind of
attack against Republicans after
gaining control.
—Sen. John Engler,
R-Mount Pleasant
Engler, R-Mount Pleasant,
said Saturday he believes the
petition stems from his vote
last spring to put into effect im-
mediately the increase in state
income tax from 4 6 percent to
6.35 percent.
Engler voted against the initial proposal, but voted in favor
of the immediate imposition of
the boost in March rather than
have it go into effect in July.
"1 think it was carefully
timed filing," Engler said of
the petition proposal. "It seems
to be more political in substance— it's not a public issue.
"We had to expect this kind
of attack against republicans
after gaining control," he said.
Murphy could not be reached
for comment Sunday. Gratiot
County Republican and Democratic officials, however, said
Murphy is not a member of
their organizations.
Engler defended his vote on
the immediate effect of the legislation. The immediate effect
April 1 would be a 51 percent
increase, he said. However, if
the change had been delayed
three months, the increase
would have been 70 percent, he
said.
State Representative Gary
Randall. R — Elwell. said he
does not know Murphy.
"He really seems to be a
phantom. He doesn't have a
phone." Randall said. "I'm not
familiar with him."
"It appears he might be a
front individual for a recall
effort, but he doesn't seem to
be trying to get exposure. I find
it unusual," Randall said,
adding there are approximate
ly 19 other recall efforts
statewide, hesaid.
Republicans gained a majority in the Senate when GOP
candidates won special elections Tuesday to replace recalled Democratic Sens. Phillip
Mastin of Pontiac and David
Serotkin of Mount Clemens
who were ousted for supporting the income tax increase.
Republicans Kirby Holms of
Utica and Rudy Nichols of
Waterford were elected to replace the two who were recalled.
Randall said he does not view
the petition as a serious threat
*"> I'nglei
Large parties hinder safety
byRHODAMIEL
UFE Statt Writer
Large masses of people at parties violates safety standards and
increases the risks of fire, local fire officials said.
A Mount Pleasant Fire Department spokesman said the fire
department uses a scale of one person for every 15 square feet as
a general rule for safety in public areas.
"I would say 25 people in a two-bedroom apartment would be a
lot," the spokesman said.
During a recent party in Park Place Apartments N building,
1301 E. Bellows, where approximately 300 people were attending
a party — power to the building was cut off three times.
Don Schaffer, of the state's Fire Marshall department, said
there is a greater risk of fire and panicking during a situation
when power is cut of f and there are a large number of people in a
small area.
"If the people just sat there and didn't do anything, then there
wouldn't be any problems." he said, but admitted the likelihood of
that occurring during a party was minimal.
Judy Green, Park Place Apartments manager, said they broke-
down a locked door to get to the breaker. She said police were not
contacted because by the time it was discovered Monday it would
have been too late for the party-goers to have been found.
Br en da Gingrich, Utica senior, said a number of people were
smoking and using lighters to see in the dark. One or two of the
party-goers also were yelling that there was a fire during the
first blackout.
Schaffer said if people were to have believed the yells, there
could have been a panic situation. As a result, people running for
♦See "Party"—page 2
Merger questions
receive answers
byKALUEBlLA
UFE Assl. News Editor
Apprehensions appear to
have lessened somewhat after a question and answer
session between administrators and chemistry faculty
concerning the possible
CMU-Michigan Molecular
Institute merger.
"I am reasonably satisfied
that the financial aspects are
being seriously considered
by the Board {of Trustees),"
Thomas Delia, professor of
chemistry, said.
The meeting Thursday between Chemistry Department faculty. Provost John
Cantelon and Myron Henry,
dean of the College of Arts
and Sciences, was a chance
to have a "free Interchange
of ideas," Henry said.
"Things were discussed
primarily in the abstract,"
he said, adding there still Is
no firm commitment between CMU and MMI. -r\
♦See uMMI"—pBg» 16
In Brief
Financial Aid refund checks may be picked
up today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. oh the second
floor foyer of Warriner Hall.
Campus
About 600 people were
present on campus for
"Puttin on the Ritz" ihis
past weekend.
page 3
A public hearing on the
city's 1984 Budget Ordinance is scheduled for
tonight's city council
meeting.
page 8
Sports
The wrestling team
returned home from
the Grand Valley
State College Tournament Saturday with
its first tournament
win of the season.
 page 12	
Weather
Today partly sunny and
cold. 20 percent chance of
snow showers with highs
from 5 to 12 degrees.