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Show TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, THE DAILY UTAH CHRONICLE Legislature Hears Pleas To Continue Disabled Programs MATT CANHAM SCOTT LEWIS Chronicle News Writers Rebecca Davis struggled through her undergraduate work at Brigham Young University before finding the help she needed at the University of Utah. Davis is completely deaf in her left ear, and has partial hearing in her right. Despite this setback, she received her bachelor's degree in chemistry and is currently working on her graduate degree in organic chemistry from the U. In some instances, she has interpreters, and in others, note-taker- s. With the help of the Center For Disability Services, Davis even teaches a number of classes, as required for all graduate students. But funding problems may threaten the programs that helped her achieve her goals. In 1999, federal funding for the services came to an end. In four years, money to support disabled student services must come completely from the state level. Davis told the Utah State Legislature's Higher Education Appropriations Committee Monday about her situation and the need to continue funding for such services.:.. She joilved other "disabled college students to ask for $400,000 for the Americans with Disabilities Act and $369,000 to replace lost federal funding. During the 1998-9- 9 school year, 771 students requested that the U accommodate their various disabilities under the ADA. Olga Nadeau, director of the Center For Disabilities Services, said approximately eight to 10 students come into her office each week to request accommodations. "The ADA says you must provide services and accommodations for those in need" said Nadeau. "It doesn't say if you don't have the funding you don't have to." Nadeau said students sometimes need interpreters, notes enlarged or a book recorded on tape. No matter what their situation, there is usually a way to make things easier, she said. The ADA provides for faculty and staff accommodations and services as well as for student needs. "To my knowledge we have never had a situation where we couldn't accommodate somebody because of a lack of funding," said Julene Persinger, the ADA coordinator for the university's office of employee relations. "We will find the money because we will have to." According to Persinger, 26 staff members and approximately three to five faculty members requested accommodations last year. Legislators placed the requests on their funding "wish list" and will make their final funding decisions by TERRA FIRMA continued from page 1 "Mr. Nader is looking at this state just to see how we're doing this," Rowland said. Other states should follow suit, Rowland said, and start collecting signatures and paying fees to get the party on state ballots soon. Rowland said Utah has some of the strictest regulations for baliot status in the nation. New Jersey only needs 800 signatures by July, he said, and in California, the party needs only to express interest in being on the ballot. If the Utah party doesn't collect 2,000 signatures, Nader can still get on Utah's ballot as an unaffiliated candidate as long as they get 1,000 signatures by Aug. 30, Rowland said. "It wouldn't be a desperate thing if we were to fail getting the party status on the ballot," Rowland said. "He'll be on the ballot either way, but he wants to be on as a Green-Part- y candidate," he said. ASUU continued from page 1 If the Utah chapter doesn't gather the required signatures for party affiliation, each person from Utah who wants to run as a Green Party member will need a separate petition. Lazar said Terra Firma supports many issues on the party's platform, such as the issue of corporate responsibility. In fact, Lazar said Terra Fiima members are the sole participants in the local chapter of the nation-wid- e Dirty Jobs Boycott, which forces companies to own up to their actions. "The members of the Green Party have stood up for in the past and will continue to stand up for environmental safety," he said. "People are taking the Green Party seriously." Rowland said he expects Nader to officially declare his presidential bid this month, and if Nader garners 5 percent of the vote nationwide, he will be pleased. Eventually, though, he wants to see Nader win. "I think it's something worth imagining," he said. U Child Care Services conducted an assessment in 1994, indicating that 4,000 student families required e e or child either care on a daily basis. Student incomes regularly fall below the poverty line, McAdams said, and full-tim- p2rt-tim- time services to approximately 450 children. Many of these programs are funded privately through contractual agreements with the U. Peggy Golding, director of the Early Childhood Education Center, said U child-car- e programs can't offer drop-i- n services due to space and funding. The ECEC is already filled to capacity, and even if it had more funding, it does not have the space to support more children, according to Golding. child care is an impor"Drop-i- n tant thing for students," she said. "Because of costs and space, we're students. 'ASUU's role is to help facilitate students' education," he said. "We believe ASUU has an obligation to reach out to ail students. The social aspect of an education is not as important as having affordable child not able to offer this." care." finding affordable child care is almost impossible. McAdams said funding affordable child care is an important issue for ASUU to handle, because 40 percent of ASUU's budget comes from al Presidential Candidate While the New Hampshire primaries may have captured the public's attention, last week, the candidates' showings in the polls are not the only topics generating interest and raising eyebrows. A recent article titled "When dumb things happen to smart people" was posted on Slate's Political Roundup (www.slate.corn), which reported that Bill Bradley, a Princeton graduate, received a SAT verbal score of 485, and George W. Bush, a graduate of Yale, received a SAT verbal score of 566. Geoff Kabaservice, the article's author, further suggested that Ivy League colleges admitted the candidates for reasons other than their scores. While Bradley was a star basketball player, Bush was the son and grandson of a Yale alumnus. For Clifton Conrad, a University of Wisconsin-Madiso- n professor of educational administration, the candidates' scores simply reflect the limitations of the SAT as an indicator of success. "SATs are very much a crude predictor of success, and by themselves, wholly inadequate," Conrad ELIZABETH WHITE Chronicle News Writer Movement is central to the n history of the culture: movement cut of slavery and toward equality, and the constant search for improvement. This common cultural thread motivated the theme for this year's Black .Awareness Month at the University of Utah: "Move on Up A Little Higher: The Africa Church in the Dr. Wilfred said 2tsc Century," African-America- Samuels. Samuels,' who chaired this year's planning committee, said the theme signifies wholeness n and the new directions culture is taking, specifically regarding religious practices. "It's the beginning of a new millennium, and people are interested in setting new agendas," said Samuels, who is also an associate professor of English and ethnic studies. This week's events will focus on not only the spiritual facets of the black church a collective term for all churches with prin memarily mbersbut also on the power of the churches as political forces of change, said Karen Dace, U associate vice president of African-America- African-America- gious Expression. Calvary Baptist Church Pastor France Davis will teach the class. Davis said this week's panel discussions will "emphasize the role of the church." Davis was also on the plan- ning committee and said man-ber- s tried to select panelists "with a variety of experiences, both practical and academic." Although February is Black Awareness Month, last year's switch to the semester schedule necessitated that events only take place this week to make room for other diversity weeks and events, Samuels said. "In large part, we found that we might be able to do more in a concentrated period of time," Dace said. 'T good-qualit- think we can offer some programs in a y week," Dace said she hopes for at least 100 people at each of the week's events . "I hope they get a better understanding and appreciation of the importance and the really significant role the black church " has played," Dace said, Samuels said the most important part of the week will be the discussion that takes place among the university communit- y. "It's very important. .that we church has provide a venue for exchange," he said. "As an academic institualways also been a political entity; religions and politics. ..go tion, we -- are hereto provide hand in hand'.she said, "They information if nothing else, a are woven together." deeper understanding...of the For example, Dace said, many variety of the dynamics of black argued for arid against slavery culture." based on religious doctrine, and Samuels said planning for the politics entered into the situapanel discussions, speakers, contion with the Emancipation certs and performances begins Proclamation. one year in advance. In conjunction with this year's "We decide within a month what the next year's theme is theme, Dace said, the U permanently established a new course going to be," he said, "and conn Reli called firm guests in the fall." diversity. black African-America- said. According to Conrad, students present other qualities, such as curiosity and openness to learning, that are better overall predictors of success. BADGER HERALD UWire Monday. Persinger said there was nothing more to do than continue working out the daily situations that arise. "Things can always be better, but I think we are doing a pretty good job with what we have." STUDENTS continued from page 1 capitol steps, and Noel said students for each of Utah's institutions will participate, but a large number of "the students are expected to be from the U because of the location. "High Noon for Higher Ed" is the rallying cry student leaders arc using, but it's not only for students. Faculty members have also expressed interest, she said. Vencerema Is H I Si Progressive Chicanao Press coming to you from the heart of Aztian! Suffer from cold sores? Look for it everywhere 3 Black Awareness Week to Focus on Church Movement "The SATs Not Accurate for 2000 for. If so, then you moy be just who we're looking We are conducting a research study of an investigational medication for the treatment and possible prevention of cold sore lesions. You must be 2 years of age or older (with parental consent, if appropriate), 1 and in good general health to participate. IF U of Utah-Clinic- al INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT: Studies, 546 Chcpcta Way, Ste 2300 ; j |
