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Newsbriefs
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Tobacco industry PAC money found to sway tobacco legislation

    The tobacco industry donated about $11,000 to each U.S.
senator and about $2,000 to each member of the House during a
24-month period in the early 1990s. The result, according to a
report published last week by researchers at the School of
Hygiene and Public Health, is that PAC money--more than party
affiliation or legislative representation--swayed a lawmaker to
vote consistently against tobacco control legislation. 
    Stephen Moore, the study's principal investigator at the
school's Preventive Medicine Residency Program, said this first
quantified research has significant effects on public policy and
public health. "It has been shown in other reports that if a pack
of cigarettes cost $2, nearly 2 million fewer people alive today
would die prematurely," he said. But until there is campaign
finance reform to provide public funds for congressional
campaigns, the tobacco industry will maintain a tremendous
influence on legislation policy." 


Community Service Internship funding for students now available

    For the third year in a row, students interested in
designing and implementing a community service project can apply
to the Alumni Association for funds to make their ideas reality.
Applications for spring 1995 funding must be submitted no later
than Nov. 15.
    "Over the past three years Community Service Internship
funding has helped establish programs such as Teach Baltimore,
the Hopkins Adult Education Cooperative, the Women's Fitness
Program at Rutland Transitional Housing, Bread and Books, and
many other important initiatives," said Lisa Marks, assistant
director of Alumni Relations. Students may choose to design their
own community service programs or to work within the framework of
an existing community organization.
    Undergraduates and graduate students from every academic
division are eligible to apply for funding. Grants are made in
amounts up to $1,200 for undergraduates and $1,600 for graduate
students. The money may be applied to program support or it can
be used for salaries. 
    The Community Service Internship Program was designed by the
Alumni Association to provide valuable learning experiences for
students and foster positive relationships between the university
and its surrounding communities. 
    For applications and more information contact Marks in the
Office of Alumni Relations at 516-0363.