ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Thursday, March 13, 2014
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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GOVERNMENT
Abortion law to have little effect on ‘U’ plans
VIRGINIA LOZANO/Daily
LSA junior DeVante Rollins and LSA senior Susie Robinson, UROP peer advisors, talk to LSA freshman Richard Wu about research opportunities at the Major/ Minor Expo in the Michigan Union Wednesday.
Majors fair draws students Programs large and small look for new recruits By AMIA DAVIS Daily Staff Reporter
On Wednesday afternoon, undecided students paused their frantic hair pulling to explore new majors and minors that fit
their interests. Staff from the Newnan LSA Academic Advising Center hosted the Major/Minor Expo, — held in the Michigan Union ballroom — to give students the opportunity to meet with faculty, staff and advisers from various concentrations and discuss potential interests. The Newnan Advising Center consists of general LSA academic advisers who help students
choose courses, career paths and alternative choices to the plans they make. They also certify students’ graduations and assist them with academic difficulties. All LSA majors and minors were represented at the exposition. Several programs from outside LSA also attended, including those from the Ross School of Business, the School of Education and the School of
Social Work. Erin Trame, department advising coordinator for Newnan Advising Center, said the expo was a chance for all LSA departments to come together in one location. It also gave all students — freshman to senior, LSA or non-LSA — a chance to talk to major advisers and set up advising appointments. “It makes it much easier See EXPO, Page 3A
Administration and IFC plan for St. Patrick’s By ARIANA ASSAF Daily Staff Reporter
This St. Patrick’s Day weekend, green beer may very well replace green tea as the breakfast drink of choice. However, the University also has a lineup of non-alcoholic activities for students. Wolverine Wellness, Beyond the Diag, the Center for Campus Involvement and the Dean of Students Laura Blake Jones worked together to give students alternative activities for St. Patrick’s Day that don’t involve alcohol. Joy Pehlke, University Health Service health educator and Sarah Daniels, assistant dean of students, were part of the effort that created events such as the Sober Skate and Shamrock It. Pehlke said that programs are similar to UMix — including food, movies and games to draw crowds. She said she encourages students to keep up-to-date with
activities on the Dean of Students’ website. For example, green donuts and water will be handed out at opposite ends of the Diag on Monday for students on their way to class or on their way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at local establishments. “History here on campus will tell you that some students will go out first thing in the morning as soon as the bars open because there are some places around here that do morning specials,” Daniels said. Pelkhe said students who go out — especially over the weekend — tend to drink in excess. She listed strategies such as keeping track of drinks, pacing oneself and eating throughout the day to avoid sickness or injuries. “One of the unique problems of St. Patrick’s Day weekend is that people drink during day and at night, so often that’s different than what people normally do,” Pehlke said. Although in years past the holiday has also brought warmer weather, the forecast for this weekend is chilly. Both Daniels and Pehlke said that this adds to the risk, as being intoxicated may See ST. PATRICK, Page 3A
By SHOHAM GEVA Daily Staff Reporter
Michigan’s controversial new abortion insurance law will go into effect Friday, but students and faculty with healthcare plans provided through the University should not see a change in their coverage. The law, which was passed late last year, prohibits healthcare plans purchased after Thursday in Michigan from covering abortions. Some individuals, specifically those who are fully insured through an employer or enrolling organization, will have an option to purchase a rider — an additional
STICK ‘EM UP
CAMPUS LIFE
Groups encourage students to ‘stay in the blue’ on the alcohol-heavy holiday
Measure prohibits abortion coverage in most new healthcare plans
cost to their insurance — to have abortion coverage. The domestic and international student health insurance the University provides through Aetna qualify as fully insured plans, which means that to continue coverage under this law, the University would have to add on that additional rider. But, since the law only applies to new enrollments, students will not see any change until August, when the University must renew its plan. In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Aetna Spokeswoman Cynthia Michener said the effect of the law on the University’s student insurance plans will not be clear until then. “It’s too early to know,” Michener wrote. “We will discuss the University of Michigan’s plan options during the renewal process.” However, Laurie Burchett, See HEALTHCARE, Page 3A
ANN ARBOR
Candidates prepare for A2 judicial election As two judges retire, competitive race ahead for numerous contenders By EMMA KERR Daily Staff Reporter NICHOLAS WILLIAMS/Daily
Art & Design senior Carisa Bledsoe performs “Off the Wall” at Links Hall in Chicago Feb. 15. See Page 4B in today’s B-Side for more.
POLICY
Case may lead to samesex marriage legalization State considers arguments in adoption controversy By ALLANA AKHTAR Daily Staff Reporter
Michigan could be the next state to legalize same-sex marriage upon the review of recent case hearings by a federal
judge. Last Friday concluded a series of arguments regarding the legality of same-sex marriage in the state of Michigan and the validity of a 2004 proposal that banned the practice, lasting two weeks. At the heart of controversy is whether same sex couples are able to be adequate parents. Hazel Park residents April DeBoer and Jayne Rowse
brought the case to court after the state denied them joint adoption of their three children. While the case began as a matter of changing the adoption process in Michigan, the lawsuit ultimately called into question the same sex marriage ban itself. The state, represented by Attorney General Bill Schuette, is defending the voters’ 2004 See MARRIAGE, Page 3A
As Washtenaw County judges Nancy Wheeler and Donald Shelton prepare to step down from their posts in January, the race to fill their positions is heating up. The judicial election will have its primary on Aug. 5 followed by the general election on Nov. 4. Candidates running so far include Jane Bassett, Tamara Garwood, Constance Jones, Julia Owdziej and Tracy Van den Bergh, all of whom are competing for Wheeler’s seat, and Veronique Liem, Patrick Conlin and Michael Woodyard are vying for Shelton’s seat. Wheeler’s successor will be responsible for family law, probate cases and ensuring that claims to an estate of a deceased person are properly recognized. There is also a potential for change in the docket over the folSee ELECTION, Page 3A
social media b-side A look at the University’s diverse digital campaigns.
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INDEX
Vol. CXXIV, No. 81 ©2014The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com
NEWS......................... 2A SUDOKU..................... 3A OPINION.....................4A
SPORTS.......................6A CL ASSIFIEDS...............6A B-SIDE ....................1B