1985-02-27; Central Michigan Life

              m
Central Michigan LIFE
Wi
ednesday.
February 27,1985
1985 CM LIFE
30pages
Mount Pleasant. Mich   48859
Blanchard finalizes trustee appointments
V0L68N0.73
by PAUL MASON
UFE Managing Edttor
After months of waiting, Gov. Blanchard
Tuesday reappointed Margaret Riecker and
Bernadine Denning to eight-year terms on
CMU's Board of Trustees.
Blanchard also appointed Mitch Kehetian,
managing editor of the Macomb Daily News, to
complete the remainder of Alfred Fortino's
term, which expires December, 1986. Fortino,
70, resigned Tuesday, effective April 1.
Kehetian confirmed Feb. 5 he had been
appointed as trustee, and it appeared either
Denning, a Democrat from Detroit, or Riecker,
a Republican from Midland, would be reappointed.
Greg Morris, Blanchard's director of personnel, said Kehetian and Denning were to be
recommended for eight-year appointments,
but then Fortino's resignation was confirmed.
Fortino, of St. Louis, said Tuesday bis resignation was contingent upon the reappointment of Riecker, former Republican National
Committee chairwoman.
"I didn't think there was any question Dr.
Denning would be reappointed and it looked
like Mrs. Riecker would not be," Fortino said
Tuesday. "If she would not have been reappointed to an eight-year term, I would not have
not have resigned."
Fortino, vacationing in Port St. Lucie, Fla.,
said Senate Majority Leader John Engler, R-
Mount Pleasant, played a part in Riecker's
reappointment.
"Senator Engler had been in touch with the
governor's office," Fortino said. He called me
one day and I had already said that if my resignation would fuel Mrs. Riecker's reappointment, then I would."
Engler Tuesday would not confirm his role in
Riecker's reappointment except to say he
"participated in some discussions."
"The steps taken are not as important as the
outcome," Engler said. "The important thing is
the ultimate decision because that is what
everyone is judged on."
Engler said Riecker received support from
constituents and friends all over the state.
♦See "Trustees"—page S
Fortino resigns after 18 years
Female
allegedly
assaulted
Police are investigating
the alleged assault of a
woman Monday night
near Brooks and Anspach
halls, a Department of
Public Safety report
stated.
" The victim, whose name
was being withheld for
her protection, reportedly
went to Central Michigan
Community Hospital after the attack, a report
stated.
Details about any injuries she may have sustained in the attack were
not available.
The assault was reported to have happened
between 10 and 11 p.m.
The Isabella County
Sheriff's Department was
called in with its tracking
dog to locate the woman's
alleged assailant, a report
stated. No information
was released to indicate
whether a suspect had
been caught. -
Additional information
about the incident was not
being released pending
further investigation by
DPS.
by PAUL MASON
UFE Managing Editor
Alfred Fortino's resignation
from CMU's Board of Trustees
Tuesday ended 18 years of service.
Fortino, 70, of St. Louis, resigned from his trustee position
two years early to facilitate the
reappointment of Margaret
Riecker, of Midland.
"If she had not been reappointed, I would not have resigned," said Fortino, vacationing in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
"I felt imperative that she be
reappointed," he said.
Fortino, an attorney, resigned his chair position Feb. 1,
the same day President Harold
Abel announced his resignation, effective July 5. Fortino
was expected to remain a
trustee.
The time requirement of the
position and his health were
factors for his stepping down
from chair, trustees said.
"That thing about my health
is a bunch of malarky," he said.
"I resigned as chair, but when
this matter of these appointments was in limbo and it was
quite obvious Mrs. Riecker
probably would not be reappointed, I decided to resign."
"I would not have taken a
reappointment after 1986 anyway," he added.
Fortino was appointed to the
Board in November, 1967 to replace E. Allan Morrow, who
resigned. He was reappointed
in 1970 and 1978 to eight-year
terms.
Fortino will be replaced by
Mitch Kehetian, managing editor of the Macomb Daily News.
Fortino's resignation is effective April 1 and Kehetian's
term starts April 6, expiring
December, 1986.
Fortino said he does not plan
to attend Board meetings Friday or Aprils.
Ironically, Kehetian said he
plans to walk out of any illegal
Board meetings and Fortino
cited the Michigan Open Meetings Act as indirectly leading
to his resignation.
The Open Meetings Act contributed to strife between
Board members in public, Fortino said.
"We had no differences on
the Board of Trustees as long
Alfred Fortino
as we could get together by
ourselves. Now, it's not legal to
do that," Fortino said.
"Indirectly, it did play a part
in my resignation," he said.
"There wouldn't have been a
big feuding match."
Still Fortino said he has enjoyed his 18 years on the
Board.
"My term on the Board was a
very great pleasure to me and
it was a privilege," he said.
Committee to examine
alternatives to street parties
Fiery loss
CM M.7M* Wtc*h»m
More than $3,000 damage was done to the contents of a storage shed at 217S 3rd Street Tueday
night. The Mount Pleasant Fire Department responded to the fire shortly before 8 p.m. Cause of
the fire was linked to an electrical short in heating
tape wrapped around a well pipe from in tbe shed, a
fire department spokesman said.
by TOM BUSS1NEAU
LIFE Staff Writer
A group of local residents, University and
city officials are making early plans to deal
with problems of the "End of the World" party.
The End of the World Party Issue Ad Hoc
Committee was formed through the Mount
Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce at the
beginning of February. The committee was initiated by officials from the Office of Student
Life.
"It is not an official committee. It is a group
of people who share different concerns about
the party. They are volunteering their efforts
to make a safer celebration at the end of the
year," Jim Sandy, executive director of the
chamber, said.
Approximately 4,000 people attended last
year's party which resulted in seven arrests.
Also, the city charged the Tau Kappa Epsilon
fraternity, 906 S. Main St., with a $2,604.47 bill
to cover clean-up expenses and extra police
patrolling hours.
Sharon George, assistant director of the
Office of Student Life, said the committee is
comprised of approximately 30 people who are
brainstorming to deal with the party problem.
"Along with community residents on the
committee are the Student Activity Advisory
Board, the mayor, Jim Sandy, and members of
the city commission," George said.
George said the committee is not trying to
disband parties.
"Our goal is to come up with a proposal for
the city and University of different programs.
We want to offer activities and entertainment
for the students. We don't want the main event
to be on Main Street," George said.
The group will have its second meeting
tonight. No proposals have been developed yet.
Sandy said the Chamber of Commerce would
be supportive of the programs the committee
presents.
"There is a need to improve the positive image of the city and University,"' Sandy said.
Sandy said the negative results from the party come from a small percent of CMU students.
"Only about 3 percent of CMU's students
participate in the party. The rest of the people
who attend are outsiders and minors. The people who come from out-of-town don't care about the resident's property," Sandy said.
Sandy said the other 97 percent of the students should emphasize the positive image of
theUniversity and community.
♦See "Part y" — page 2
Due process lacking, Sig Ep appeal claims
by PAUL MASON
UFE Managing Editor
Attorneys for Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity Monday filed an
appeal of the University's decision to strip the group of its
rights, claiming in part that due process was not carried out.
In a 36-page appeal to President Harold Abel, attorneys
Reynolds Campbell, a former Sig Ep, and J. David Kerr, former
University counsel, requested that all charges alleged and sanctions imposed against the 90-member fraternity be dismissed.
The appeal states, in part, that due process was not followed in
a Dec 18 "Do novo" hearing.
"Tribunal provided by the University was not fair and the
hearing was not impartial," the appeal states.
Tapes from a Nov. 16 hearing, with completely different
charges, were used as evidence at the Dec. 18 hearing and
Hearing Officer R. William Dunham "was not in a position to be
impartial" and had preconceived opinions of the case, the
appeal states.
The fraternity was found guilty of raiding the Sigma Kappa
sorority house. 814 S. Main, on Oct. 21 and for making an
obscene chant to the Phi Mu sorority, 1808 Deming.on Oct. 28. A
former female CMU student, charging former Sig Ep president
Paul Bonaccinie, of Birmingham, with rape, was in the house at
the time. .
The fraternity was suspended for an indefinite period of time.
The suspension would be lifted if, among other things, the
national chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon revoke the Sig Ep's charter "from 1985 Winter Semester at least to the beginning of the
1987 Fall Semester."
The appeal states Dunham incorrectly found that four female
witnesses, members of Phi Mu sorority, identified the individuals involved in the Oct. 28 incident as members of Sigma Phi
Epsilon.
"None of the witnesses could identify a single person who
took place in the incident. Nor would anyone say those persons
were in fact members of the chapter," the appeal states.
The attorneys were critical of the University's handling of the
fraternity and the incidents.
"The fraternity has continually suggested an educational
approach be taken in this matter. The University at every turn
has rejected that approach, seeking punishment through the
death penalty," the appeal states.
"Isn't it a shame the students of this University cannot look to
their University to care about them? There were approximately
10-15 people at the Phi Mu house, there is no competent proof
any of them were from Sigma Phi Epsilon, yet 90 students are
punished..." the appeal states.
President Harold Abel will make the decision regarding the
appeal. Abel could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Russ Herron, assistant to the president, "guesses" Abel will
make a decision in two to four weeks.
Campbell earlier said, "We have no doubt this case eventually
will be heard in Circuit Court or Federal Court..."
Campbell Tuesday said any court action would follow Abel's
decision.
In Brief
The University Health Center is offering a
free measles immunization clinic Thursday
from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. in the lower level of the
Bovee University Center. The clinic also will
be today from 3 to 6 p.m. in Troutman Hall.
Inside
Unpaid parking
violations can stop
transcripts.
page 3
Travelers get tips
to make the trip fly
by.
page 16
Sports
Weather
The women's basketball team gears up
for their final home
game.
page 12
Partly cloudy and
cool today. Highs mid
20s to mid 30s.
Chance of flurries
tonight. Lows low
teens to low 20s.