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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 29, 1986)
I?; Weather: Partly cloudy today with a high of 80. Southerly winds at 10 to 15 mph. Tonight a low of 50 with a chance of showers. Continu ing in the mid-70s tomorrow. April 29, 1986 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Vol. 85 No. 149 t :r"-r; zzzzl. , - . 3 6Fy!r Doing vsrs5 ami moles from home Malaysians By A'drian Wellington Hudler Editorial Page Editor Will Rogers rarely needs an intro duction when quoted in a speech. Last Saturday, however, was an exception. "He's an American humorist," said a speaker as she addressed about 100 UNL Malaysian students. "He (Rogers) said ... 'I never met a man I didn't like.' " The meeting of Malaysians, organ ized to toast this year's record number of Malaysian graduates, was a mixture of two cultures one learned as children in an Asian country, another at a Midwestern university in America. One is a culture of strong family ties and the Moslem religion, the other of folk heroes like Rogers and Johnny Rodgers of NU's Big Red football. It's that mix that made four years at UNL enjoyable but somewhat difficult, say some Malaysian soon-to-be graduates. About 10 Malaysians sat after Saturday's meeting to reflect on their four years in the United States and their feelings about graduating. "It feels great," one student said. "Relief," another said. "After four long years? It feels great. All my efforts were worth it," said Nita Jalaludin. UNL has about 280 Malaysian students attending classes. Nearly 40 of those will graduate this year. Two of them were honored scholars at this month's honors convocation. New officers named for Young Democrats, College Republicans By Todd von Kampen Senior Reporter Eetsy Apking, a sophomore from Alexandria, and Michelle Walenz, a junior from Bellevue, have been elected leaders.of the UNL chapters of the Republican and Democratic parties. Apking was named to succeed Joe Pigg as president cf the UNL College Republicans Thursday. Steve Bath, a junior from Auburn, was elected vice president, while Troy Butler, a freshman from Lincoln, was chosen as secretary-treasurer. Nate Geisert, a freshman from Ogal lala, and Lynne Armfield, a fresh mar from Sioux Falls, S.D., were elected executive committeeman and committecwoman. Walenz, who was elected presi dent of the UNL Young Democrats April 17, succeeds Patricia Savage. Becky Boswell, a freshman from Lincoln, was elected vice president. Kim Bitner, a freshman frcm York, was chosen as secretary while Carol Husker quarterbacks compete for top spot Sports, page 9 t v -n l krwn7?9 prepare for Malaysia is a small country south of China with about 13 million people including Malays, Indians and Chinese. It has a gross national product of about $15.7 billion and a democratic government. A few years back, few Malaysians could be found on any U.S. rampus, said Peter Levitov, director of UNL's International Educational Services. Since Malaysia used to be an English colony, most students went to Great Britain or Australia to study. But increases in tuition rates in those countries brought them to the United States. The government, which finances most Malaysian stu dents on condition that they return to work at least for four to 10 years in their country, began contracting with some U.S. universities such as UNL. Because most Malaysians are religious and somewhat conserva tive, the government wanted to place its sponsored students in schools away from large metropolitan areas, Levitov said. But even though it's not New York or Boston, Lincoln still gave some Malaysian students problems. Ask Jalaludin how much her phone bill is and she'll smile ear to ear. "Oh, boy, don't ask that," she joked. "It's very sad" living thou sands of miles away from your family, she said. "You're all alone. It's different when you have family near." "It's difficult," said Noor Azuan, another Malaysian graduate. Learning a new language and culture probably is the toughest obstacle, several students said. Al Swigart, a freshman from North Plstte, was named treasurer. Several other members of the parties UNL chapters won offices this month in their state organi zations, Paul McGinnis of Lincoln wa3 elected chairman of Nebraska's Col lege republicans at the group's state convention in Hastings April li and 12, Pigg was elected vice chairman and Lisa Davis, a junior at Chadron State College who will be transferring to UNL in the fall, was elected s'ecretary. ' The Nebraska Young Democrats elected Kathleen Neary, a junior from Wiota, Iowa as its president during its convention in Omaha the same weekend. Boswell was elected national, committeewoman, while Laura Kinzie, a senior from Bene dict, was named secretary. Scott Caldwell, a freshman from Lincoln , was elected vice president for development. Pete Casteliano, a sophomore from Bellevue, was named treasurer. graduation though they start at UNL in the summer for two months of English orientation, some Malaysians say it's hard adapting to an English classroom. Most of them learn a little English when they are young. Popular gripes among them are writing papers and learning from instructors who don't have patience. "Wejieed more support in lower levels," said Wan Azizi. By the time -'students get into higher level classes they've mastered the language and know the university well enough to get by, he said. Most Malaysian students study engineering, archi tecture or business. While some students say they like Wendy's double cheeseburgers, several look forward to eating fresh . fish again, Azuan said. Most Malaysian students live off campus, mainly because they want to prepare their own meals. The Oriental grocery market at 27th and Vine streets is popular among Malaysians. Students get anywhere from $400 to $500 a month from the Malaysian government to pay for rent and food. After the first year of school, however, Azuan and Jalaludin said things got easier. Their English improved and they found support through the Nebraska University Malay Student Association. Within that group, Malaysians socialize. Few drink on weekends because it's against their religion. Most Malaysians interviewed said they'll leave the United States with a good feeling. Native Americans protest ASUN candicllafie reprimanded tor 'totally political' prank By Michael Hooper Staff Reporter UNL's student court charged Steve Henning, Party Party vice presidential candidate, of violating student "Rights and Responsibilities" because he ac tively solicited students to mark "Native American" on the ASUN ballot. After testimony Thursday night, the court concluded that Henning's behav ior embarrassed and victimized UNL Native Americans. To relieve the pain and embarrass ment, Henning must submit an apology in the form of a guest editorial to the Daily Nebraskan and a letter to the Native American Student Association. In addition, he must give five hours of service to Multi-Cultural Affairs. If these duties are not fulfilled to the satisfaction of the court, his behavior will be put on his permanent university record, the court ruled. Because 49 UNL students are registered as Native Americans, and 138 marked Reviewer wrapped up in Cellophane Ceiling Arts and Entertainment, page 7 v. i: u UNL Malaysian graduates Adnan. Native American on the ASUN ballot, it was clear somebody told students to mismark their ballots, said Jerre Moreland, NASA's representative at the hearing. Judy Kawamoto, a UNL student, said Henning told her the day of the election to mark "Native American" on the bal lot. She said Henning told her that Party Party was trying to throw off ASUN demographics. But, she said, she thought he was poking fun at Native Americans, and reported his actions to the ASUN Electoral Commission. Ed Miller, who defended Henning and Party Party candidates Tim Burke and Tim Brogan, said Henning's actions were "totally political." They were simply an act of free speech, he said. By throwing off ASUN demographics, he is telling students that ASUN is a joke. "It was in bad taste, but he (Hen ning) only wanted to prove that ASUN is a joke," Miller said. Three Native Americans said Hen- J 1 . . .. 1 V 4, S i 7f , v, n '.I , J - Oave BentzDaily Nebraskan Azuan, Jalaludin and Shahul ning's actions upset them. Lokota Harden said she felt embar rassed. "It's already very hard for us to come to this university," Harden said, in regard to Native Americans being a minority. "As it is, to survive you have to have a tough skin or be an alcoholic," she said. Henning was making a statement at the expense of Native American dignity and pride, Moreland said. James McShane, a member of the electoral commission and a UNL English professor, said Henning was probably not the only one involved in the scheme. Henning could not have convinced more than 88 voters to mismark their ballots, he said. The ruling is unofficial, according to Jim Rogers, one of the student judges. It is contingent upon the approval of the rest of the student judges: Chief Justice Curt Oltmans and Judges John Rood, Jillane Hinds and Glen Allen.