University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Associated Students of the University of Montana Montana Kaimin, 1898-present (ASUM) 12-11-1981 Montana Kaimin, December 11, 1981 Associated Students of the University of Montana Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper Recommended Citation Associated Students of the University of Montana, "Montana Kaimin, December 11, 1981" (1981). Montana Kaimin, 1898-present. 7213. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/studentnewspaper/7213 This Newspaper is brought to you for free and open access by the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM) at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Montana Kaimin, 1898-present by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Baird calls abortion an issue of rights m o n tu n a By Melinda Sinistro Baird, who has been in­ death of several women from self- Kaimin Contributing Reporter strumental in passing legislation induced abortions, including one allowing legalizing birth control incident in which a woman tried The abortion issue is not a and abortions for 18 years, said to give herself an abortion with a question of when life begins, but the Reagan Administration has coat hanger, hemorrhaged, and k ill min of human rights to freedom, said taken the most “radical stand died. This inspired Baird to become active in the abortion Friday, December 11, 1981 Missoula, Mont. .Vol. 84, No. 41 Bill Baird, who has been called possible” on the abortion issue by “ the father of abortion rights,” in supporting the proposed Human rights movement. a lecture last night. Life Amendment. “When abortions are illegal, The amendment, which has women die,” he said. “How can been ratified in 19 states, says people who call themselves pro­ that life begins at conception, a life allow this type of thing to Snafu snarls Spaulding GPA theory that Baird said is “ab­ happen?” surd.” He said that a fetus is not. Baird said the anti-abortion office, showed Spaulding’s GPA By Greg Gadbeny Spaulding’s GPA became a topic regarded as a person in any movement is powerful because it at 1.59. Kaimin Contributing Reporter of discussion in student govern­ context except in regard to the has “the support of many ment. After hearing of the discrepan­ abortion issue. “If a census is churches, including the Catholic What was described by one Earlier this week the Kaimin — cy, Bain explained that the figure taken and a woman is pregnant, and Mormon churches.” University of Montana official as responding to rumors that provided by the computer prin­ does she count as tw o people?” he However, he said, many aspects a “baffling” computer error may Spaulding’s GPA was 1.59— tout was false and that said. “And try to get a deduction of these religions are “sexist,” be responsible for the rumors that asked the ASUM president to Spaulding, like a small number of from the IRS for a fetus.” including parts of the Bible, ASUM President Steve release his GPA. Under law, a other students, was the victim of adding that “they want to pass Baird said a majority of Spaulding has a poor academic school cannot give out such a computer snafu. laws to make us believe what they Americans support a woman’s record. information without a student’s According to Bain, the com­ believe.” right to an abortion but will lose A computer list, which UM permission. puter printout, used in various In 18 years of activism, Baird the battle for those rights unless Registrar Philip Bain says con­ Spaulding agreed to have his offices around campus, contained said he has been arrested eight they make their opinions known. tains false information about academic standing published. false information on about 30 times for displaying contracep­ Baird became involved in the some students’ grade point The Registrar’s Office then told students. The error had been tives at his lectures. At last abortion issue as a medical stu­ averages, has apparently been the Kaimin that Spaulding had a discovered recently after the night’s lecture, he showed dent. circulated this quarter. The list cumulative GPA of 2.02. Registrar’s Office double-checked various birth control devices and However, after two years at the shows Spaulding’s GPA at 1.59 Yet it was learned yesterday the printout against students’ gave brief explanations of their head of his class at New York instead of the 2.02 that is shown that a second GPA figure, which transcripts. uses and misuses. Mick Hanson systems analyst University, he ran out of money. in Spaulding’s transcripts. was much lower than the one During a similar lecture at in the UM Computer Center, con­ He then took a job with Emko, a Yet Bain could not explain the provided by the Registrar’s Of­ Boston University in 1967, he firmed that the error had occur­ spermicide manufacturing com­ error. fice, existed in a computer prin­ handed a 19-year-old female stu­ red and said he would probably pany, doing research on the ASUM officials either could not tout. dent a can of spermicidal foam have to spend some time iron­ effectiveness of the product. Dur­ or would not explain how the The printout, provided by the and was arrested “for indecent ing it out. ing this time, he witnessed the false information about registrar for the financial affairs exposure of obscene materials,” he said. He served a prison term of three months for the crime. At last night’s lecture, Baird Buchlew enjoying UM ‘honeymoon’ urged members of the audience who supported abortion to write letters to state representatives By Pam Newbem UM seem to think Bucklew has done a good of fact, rather than entering into a discussion and make their views known. Kaimin Reporter job in the time he has been president. of it,” Bucklew said. “This is not a sure basis “We’re kind of waiting to see what’s going for a good understanding of the issues.” Baird opened the first abortion clinic in the United States in 1965 University of Montana President Neil to happen,” said Richard Vandiver, presi­ Bucklew said he thought student govern­ in Hempstead, Long Island. At Bucklew says his initial impressions of UM dent of the University Teachers’ Union. last night’s lecture, he showed a haven’t changed much since he came here in “This is still the honeymoon period, but my ment on campus was candid and straight­ film of a woman having an August. He’s still “ very pleased to be at UM.” first impressions of him have been very good. forward. abortion, which was performed at Most UM faculty, staff members and He’s open, and he listens to people. He has a “ I’ve had a good and effective exchange o f one of several clinics he has students also are pleased he’s here. Most sense of direction.” views with CB members, even when we’ve organized around the country. people contacted on campus had only good disagreed on issues,” Bucklew said. “They things to say about the president. James Cox, chairman of the Faculty were candid and straightforward in their “So far, my assessment is that he is the Senate, agreed with Vandiver’s comments. views and in talking with me.” ASUM President Steve Spaulding is best academic administrator on campus “The faculty, I belieVe, continue now, Classes on since 1950,” said Richard Solberg, dean of months later, to be impressed by the generally pleased with Bucklew’s first four president’s organizational skills, his hard months on campus. the College of Arts and Sciences. “ He is very tropics knowledgeable about the institution work, and particularly by his willingness to “I think it’s too early to tell for sure if he’s although he has only been here a short time. meet the faculty in open forum to exchange done a good job,” Spaulding said. “I think to be held He acts like a university president should.” you need a year to tell for sure. What I have Since Bucklew arrived in Missoula four seen, I’ve been impressed with. The president The University of Montana months ago, he has spent much of his time is willing to talk and to maintain lines of Biological Station, in cooperation meeting with various people in and around open communication. He says what he feels, with the University of Montana UM and the state. Several faculty and staff even if he disagrees with something, and Center for Continuing Education members referred to this time as a “honey- that’s good.” and Summer Programs, will offer two short courses dealing with Staff view s of the president are mixed, aspects of tropical ecology from news analysis although the general consensus is that he Jan. 4 to 14. The courses are titled has been doing a good job. “Ecology of Carribean Coral moon” period, in which none of the “Among the staff, there continues to be Reefs” and “Ecology of the president’s actions have offended anyone. optimism and enthusiasm,” said Guy Rittel, Yucatan Coast.” president of the Staff Senate. “We’re seeing Jack Stanford, director of the “ I think ‘honeymoon’ is a reasonable the gap between the administration and biological station, will teach the phrase,” Bucklew said. “As time goes on, staff shortened, and that is due in part to the field courses. They will involve an there will be issues that will distress some leadership of the president.” eight-day trip to the Carribean people.