Seventy-SixthYear EDITED AND MANAGED BY STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN UNDER AUTHORITY OF BOARD IN CONTROL OF STUDEN'T PUTiT CATTONS SOUand FURY College Students: Privileged Minority? by Clarenuce Fanuto u e t : l O i . - - - Opininne Are Free. 420 MAYNARD ST., ANN ARBOR. MIrH. tb Will Prevail NfrWs PHONE: 764-0552 Editorials printed in The Michigan Daily express the individual opinions of staff writers or the editors. This must be noted in all reprints. DAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1966 NIGHT EDITOR: NEIL SHISTER The Free University: A Good Opportunity Lost? HAT HAS HAPPENED to the Free Uni- versity? By this relative time last se- mester, people had volunteered to teach 18 differ'ent courses, registration dates had been set and a prospectus written.. Close to 300 students were registered by the beginning of February. Thus far this fall, no plans have been made. The principle behind the Free Univer- sity was learning and exploration for its own sake. No grades or credit were given. The curriculum covered a wide variety of subjects and interests. Poetry, modern film, historical theory and Marxism and, art were just a few. MANY PROBLEMS plagued the group last year. Administrative details were not planned for or well carried out. It was hoped that some data telling how many students had actually finished the courses would be compiled. This was never done. It is not even known how many courses officially ran to completion. Collection of money was difficult. A tuition of five dollars was the sole source; of funds. In some cases this fee was waived if someone could not pay. Be- cause of inadequate funding it was im- possible to hire a sufficient number of staff members. Facilities for holding classes was an- other problem. There was some attempt to locate a house which could be used as a center for teaching and a general head- quarters but it* was' never secured. In- dividual groups arranged their own meeting locations. Most met in private homes, co-ops or offices. Because * the Free University was a form of protest against the teaching methods and prac- tices of the University, and also because the people involved desired a more in- formal, setting than the traditional classroom, the University was not con- tacted. Also because of lack of organization, the hope for iterchange between the different groups was never realized. Once classesbegan to meet there was very little contact between teachers or students in- volved in different areas. These were all problems, true. They all weakened the structure of the Free Uni- versity but they did not prevent the or- -ganization from functioning. They cer- tainly cannot be preventing it from oper- ating this year. HY, THEN, is the Free University fal- tering? Is there a lack of people will- ing to compile a class prospectus, draw up reading lists and lead discussions? With- in a month and a half after the original group decided to start the experiment, people had volunteered to teach 18 dif- ferent courses. Several were taught by more than one person. One course had seven different leaders. There were no limitations placed on who could teach and no qualifications to meet. If someone wanted to teach a course, he had to write an outline de- scribing his idea. People would then sign up for the individual classes offered on the basis of this outline. If they didn't like the subject matter or organization, they were free to alter it. It is difficult to believe that there is not at least an equal number of people interested in or- ganizing classes this semester as there were last year. COULD THE PROBLEM be lack of stu- dent interest? When the idea was newly conceived 300 students registered. Although no figures exist indicating how many people completed courses, the num- ber who registered (300) indicates that many students were willing to give it a try. Being a dynamic organization with a changing curriculum each semester, and such a large number of people ex- pressing interest in the idea if unpattern- ed education should be enough to make it worthwhile. THE ONLY ELEMENT which seems to be lacking is a group willing to bring all these different people together. Many of the people who worked last year are willing to take part, but will not assume responsibility for organizing it. There is one source of movement, how- ever. Prof. William Livant of the psy- chology department has called a meet- ing of people interested in the Free Uni- versity. Hopefully, the organizational ele- iment needed' will emerge from Livant's meeting. If it doesn't and no one else takes the initiative, a great opportunity for creative education will have been wasted. -BETSY TURNER By CLARENCE FANTO Managing Editor STUDENTS on this campus will most likely be asked to parti- cipate in a "draft referendum" as part of the all-campus student government elections in Novem- ber. Supposedly, the result of this referendum will be a massive out- pouring of student sentiment op- posing the release of class rank- ing information to local draft boards by the University. At least, this seems to be the result desired by SGC President Ed Robinson as well as Voice Po- litical Party, which is asking for the draft referendum to be con- ducted in October, 'separated from the other election contests. Unfortunately, the world being what it is, it would be nonsense for the University to refuse to submit transcripts to draft boards because more students would be hurt than helped by such an ac- tion. Whether we like it or not (and many of us don't), this coun- try is at war in what has now, been described as the third larg- est war involving the U.S. in this century. That means that many of us now in college will be called on to fight if the war continues for another two or three years, which now seems likely. Most college stu- dents, until now, have been quite secure from the pressures of the draft, even if they had barely- passing averages and were attend- ing school to evade adult responsi- bilities rather than to try to learn how to live a decent life. BUT NOW, the secure haven of college no longer exists. Students in the lower quarter of their class as undergraduates face the like- lihood of being drafted unless they score above 70 per cent on the draft deferment test. The proponents of the draft ref- erendum here justify it on two grounds: 1) the University is al- legedly "cooperating" and thereby supporting the aims of the Selec- tive Service system by submitting class rankings, and 2) use of the class rankings contributes to aca- demic pressure and detracts from the more important purpose of col- lege-education in how to live ra- tionally and intelligently. However, students still have a free choice as far as their class rankings are concerned. If they did not fill out the forms provid- ed at registration, the University will not release their transcripts and rankings to their draft board. What can the University do but give the student this choice? If the University were to adopt a policy of not submitting rank- ings to draft boards, many stu- dents who stand in jeopardy of being drafted would suffer because their draft board would lack evi- dence of their academic progress. Furthermore, even if a draft ref- erendum is held, it seems highly likely that a majority of the stu- dents here would approve the Uni- versity's policy of submitting tran- scripts and rankings after clear- ance by students. MOST IMPORTANT, the argu- ment that submitting the rank- ings contributes to vicious aca- demic pressure misses an impor- tant point. Academic pressure was a distasteful fact of life long be- fore the Viet Nam war developed. It existed then, it exists now, and it will continue to detract from the higher goals of education un- til more fundamental academic re- forms are approved by the Univer- sity. A start toward this type of re- form is the proposed pass-fail op- tion, which is before the literary college executive committee. A modest beginning toward the elim- ination of unhealthy preoccupa- tion with grades, the option would allow students to select one course per sfmester, outside their major, to be graded on a basis of pass or fail. Students would be thus enabled to take courses which in- terest them but which might cause some difficulty, with the assur- ance that they would "pass" un- less they received the equivalent of an "E" grade. Proposals such as this are the way to help ease academic pres- sure. Granted, the Selective Serv-' ice System needs a major over- haul, with options for Peace Corps service or a universal system whereby everyone would serve the nation for a year. But it is a dis- tortion of the facts to claim that Selective Service pressure is the main cause of heightened academ- ic pressures, but it has long been recognized that radical academic form is needed to reduce this bane of college life. AS FOR THE DRAFT, it is un- likely that any major overhaul in the system can be accomplished until, the war is over. It would be unfair to ask some young men to give up their lives fighting in Viet Nam, while others, through their own choice, would be leading a relatively comfortable, safe ex- istence building roads in Nigeria. The fact is that we are at war but the burdens of war have been shouldered only by a small minority of our citizens-mainly those unable to attend college for financial difficulties or lack of interest and capability. This has indeed been a "poor man's war" so far with Negroes accounting for close to 20 per cent of combat casualties in Viet Nam, though they only constitute 11 per cent of the nation's population. Defense Secretary McNamara's proposal to "salvage" nearly one million draft "rejects" who were unable to meet the physical or mental requirements of the army will add to the inequities, since 30 per cent of those to be "salvaged" will be Negroes. COLLEGE students should real- ize once and for all that they are not a privileged minority in this country despite the fact that they will one day be the leaders of this country. Unless the burden of this sickening, immoral war is shared equally by all classes of American society, we will be sub- verting our basic democratic val- ues much more than the Selective Service System is. 'p From Bad to Worse in Indonesia By WALLACE IMMEN jNDONESIA is in desperate need of aid. While its leaders make pretenses of seeking a cure for that nation's current severe eco- nomic crisis with "trade not aid," its future appears to depend large- ly upon assistance from the West. Indonesia's leaders have sched- uled a series of "trade discussions" in Tokyo next Monday to try to reopen some of the aid channels which Sukarno effectively blocked last year. Representatives from the United States, Japan and oth- er countries, which were the sub- ject, of angry tirades last year, have been invited in the hope that they will forgive and forget. They're expected to be asked for collective assistance in the form of an "aid Indonesia consortium." Also expected is a request to de- lay repayment of the nearly $1 billion which Indonesia received from America in previous aid pro- grams. INDONESIA'S economic struc- ture has been left in a horrible muddle by large expenditures for the "crush Malaysia" campaign. The attempted coup was also a large strain on the military budg- et. Debts are rising. The country's industrial produc- tion is definitely the prime factor behind its current economic con- dition. Its factories are operating at less than 15 per cent of ca- pacity and farm output of key goods for both domestic and for- eign consumption is very small. The current droughts will curtail agricultural production even more drastically. But no effort has been made toward economic reform, and im- practical expenditures continue. For example, projects initiated by Sukarno expressly for prestige are still being planned. STARVATION is occurring in the midst of this extravagance, which also underlined the need for reappraisal of the economic system. Due to a two year crop failure, most of the 1.5 million inhabi- tants of Lombok Island, a short distance from Jakarta, have been reported to be down to their last stocks of rice or without any food at all. ,Already an estimated 29,000 have died of starvation this year and that figure is expected to reach 80 000 by January. Without im- mediate aid the toll could reach many times that figure. The Indonesian government was accused last week of keeping in- formation from the press to con- ceal the country's desperate 'situ- ation. The local government offi- cials have not been given power to begin emergency action, and no outside help has as yet been pledged.. INDONESIA's grave economic problems no doubt were a fac- tor in the decision to reconsider the cancellation of United States aid, and will affect how much re- newed aid will be given. More im- portant, however, was the shift of Indonesia's political position clos- er to the United States. A year ago, officials were grave- ly concerned that Indonesia had been lost to the Communists. Demonstrations and speeches de- nounced the United States for its support of Malaysia and its in- volvement in Viet Nam. The at- tempted coup of last fall took its own toll of political leaders and relegated Sukarno to an advisory role. A purge, led by militant Mos- lems, which followed the coup virtually rid the nation of much Communist influence. While most of the purge activity was done secretly with mass exterminations in isolated areas of the Jungles. estimates of the slaughter have been set as high as 300,000 to 500.000. These changes have brought In- donesia very close to American policy and have alienated Com- munist sources of aid. OBSERVERS say the decisions concerning America's future poli- cies on Indonesia have already been determined by the adminis- tration. The manpower, resources and potential inherent in the country, that made it a prime target for assistance by three ad- ministrations, still exist. Therefore, most experts see a renewal of aid relations, if re- newal can be done without a loss of continuity in our foreign poli- cy. Decisions must now be made as to the magnitude and the con- ditions under which this assist- ance will be given. AMERICAN officials who are attending the meeting say they plan to be firm in considering a revival of the large aid programs conducted In the 1950's and will insist that, as a minimum step, Indonesia institute "austerity measures" and formulate a work- able program to combat the spir- aling inflation threatening its economy. AMERICA SEES Indonesia as a strong ally and a source of great potential in the future. The eco- nomic difficulties of the' present will remain a long-term headache; to expect immediate results would be foolish indeed. America does, however, have an excellent opportunity to establish what it has been seeking for years -a close diplomatic relationship with Indonesia. A cautious and logical approach to the confer- ence next week could pay big dividends. I LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: 'a The Fraternities Attempt a 'Tax Dodge' Modern War: The Territorial Imperative To the Editor: WE'RE BEING TAKEN again! John Feldkamp's s c h e m e (Michigan Daily, September 15) to siphon off tax deductible do- nations to the University into the fraternities' coffers is the latest raid by special interest groups on the little man's pocketbook. Texas has its oil depletion allowances and now Michigan will have its tax supported private clubs. Even if the houses are formal- ly deeded to the University, there will be no reform of their un- democratic methods of selection which exclude students from mi- nority groups and from low in- come families. With one hand the University is recruiting Negro stu- dents and faculty, and with the other it facilitates illegal tax sup- port for an undemocratic ana- chronism which rigidly excludes them. It appears that the scheme is, in fact, "merely a tax dodge" in the University's housing direc- tor's words. Under the proposed plan a fra- ternity alumnus could contribute to his son's plush surroundings and claim that the contribution is tax deductible. The unaffiliated student has no such government subsidy in furnishing his already over-priced apartment. IT IS NOT too late for the Uni- versity to uphold the tax laws by refusing to hand the fraternities an avenue of tax evasion. Is a tottering fraternity system worth sacrificing the University's vaunt- ed reputation as a law abiding in- stitution? -R. Berets, Grad -G. Beauchamp, Grad -T. Wilson, Grad IT SEEMS that baboons have it all over "humans"' they know when to stop fighting. In the book, "The Territorial Impera- tive," anthropologist Robert Ardrey notes that baboons, upon violating another tribe's domain, quickly size up the situ- ation and often, decide that the little ex- tra land they could gain from fighting is, not worth'the baboon lives that would be lost. But, take a quick look around the world, and on any day you are likely to see a few hundred thousand soldiers or so crawling through the jungles being mo- lested by some idiots in black pajamas-- both, ironically, fighting for the libera- tion of South Viet Nam. ANOTHER THEORY which Ardrey pre- sents in his book is that a society, when invaded, reacts instinctively to re- pel the aggressor. It is this instinct which motivated the United, States' immediate response to attack. on December 7, 1941.' The instinct still persists, but, some feel, without the strength it had before. And, the instinct still exists in Viet Nam. The territorial imperative was only dormant during the previous wars. The French had been there for years and the mental irritation was only that: a slight inconvenience. Furthermore, the Viet Minh were an integrated part of the cul- ture; they could not be excluded. Now, the Vietnamese people have been subject to strife and struggle for 20 years. The underlying cause of the conflict there is poverty and the response is the all-too- human desire for some kind of relief through involvement in rebellion. And, in the face of American inter- vention in increasing numbers, the Viet - namese cannot help but feel the terri- torial instinct. The Americans are out- right invaders; an alien element. FIRST OF ALL, the invaders have dis- rupted the Vietnamese way of life. The forces have upset the economy, created, if not an American brothel, certainly an American ghetto. They have been forced to create concentration camps for dis- placed persons. The Vietnamese see their children growing up on a staple diet of rice and chocolate bars. They are forced to beg in the streets; having been driven from the fields and villages by bombings and Viet Cong' atrocities. In addition, there is always the dif- ference of culture. The United States has managed to create the perhaps true im- pression of the "Ugly American" by show- ing arrogant attitudes, displaying plump bellies and wearing strange clothes. And then, there is the question of race. No matter how much the idea of broth- erhood is supported in this country, the fact that Americans are on the whole Caucasians or Negro is a psychological barrier which creates distrust and fear. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE also invaders, the North Vietnamese are not hind- ered by the barriers of race and culture. In the eyes of the Vietnamese, they are the underdogs; they lack planes and bombs, they starve with the peasants. The Vietnamese do not show a deep hatred for the Americans; they would rather milk both sides for as much as possible. War has settled them and brought them to accept, in a fatalistic way, poverty and suppression. They no longer fill the roads, fleeing from the ene- my, as the Chinese did in World War II. But for so many reasons, a dormant wish to rid themselves of the Americans is portrayed by a word, a gesture, or no ,._- , / + " rr C t f.:. C ,t1 M w ovit f MCA 4 1 Motorcycles To the Editor: I WAS DISAPPOINTED not to find further details on the pro- posed motorcycle ordinance - a subject of great concern to a large number of students (as well as non-students like myself). I would particularly like to have seen what "certain safety meas- ures" to be imposed on cyclists are going to be. Regarding the proposals you did publish, I would make these com- ments: -LICENSING of rental agen- cies would be of primary concern to owners of such agencies, and licensing fees a new source of in- come to the city. This may not be a bad idea, but will the license restrict rentals of anything over 50c? May I say that the more power a machine can produce, the safer it is. (This also applies to cars, Mr. Nader notwithstanding.) -Safety helmest should beworn by all cyclists, whether the law requires this or not. Not only do they partially compensate for the lack of a roof over the rider's head ,they also make the rider more easily visible to the automo- bile drivers. -Cars must drive 35 m.p.h. in the city, or less, so what is this proposal doing in here anyway? -Tail lights for night driving is an obvious precaution and any cyclist who would drive without them is suicidally inclined. -AS FOR LIMITING the road conduct of cyclists, I think that prohibiting them to ride between lanes of traffic is a good idea. Although ,asfa cyclist myself, I find it very nice to be able to ploy through traffic (especially at rush hour), I also drive a car; I know how hard it is to see a cyclist generally, and especially one coming up close to the car on the right. I have also felt the urge to crush a few hapless riders who hog the line between two lanes and don't let the drivers in either lane go by. Add to this the fact that many automobile drivers are reckless and don't bother to sig- nal turns, there is the ever-pres- ent danger of an unseenecyclist being run down by a car turning suddenly, or switching lanes. someone to turn, and the cyclist in the right .,ane cannot go past because the law prohibits this t In order to prevent what I think the council is trying to prevent, i.e., weaving in and out of traffic and squeezing into small and un- safe places. the preceding suggest- ed ordinance should be made to read "prohibit passage between lanes o ftraffic" or "motorcyclists shall operate their cycles in the center of a traffic lane" or some such appropriate legalese. -Beyond the proposals men- tioned, if the city is truly inter- ested in improving traffic safety, an area the size of a large park- ing lot might be set aside spe- cifically for the training of motor- cycle and scooter riders, with dif- ferent obstacle courses set up and plenty.of open space for the rider to learn not only how to handle his machine, but also what the limitations of his machine are. I also think that some kind of campaign should be started and waged vigorously over a period of months to alert automobile driv- ers to the fact that there are cyclists on the road (I sometimes think most drivers are blind to anything but 10-ton trucks ob- viously bigger than they); to the fact that most cyclists are at least as careful and courteous (prob- ably even more so) as the aver- age car driver; and to the fact that cyclists have an equal right to use the highways of this coun- try. IN EUROPE, where cyclists are .a common sight, there are not as many accidents between cars and cycles; and the car drivers cer- tainly don't., gripe about cyclists -they probably had a cycle be- fore they gotaa car, anyway. The trouble in this country is that automobile drivers are not used to seeing cyclists and therefore don't see them, even when they are there. That is, unless the cyclist hap- pens to get in his way (i.e., is in the lane he'd like to be in). And then strange things happen. Car drivers are a vicious, lazy, un- safe lot. They don't bother to sig- nal a turn, and yell bloody mur- der when a motorcycle crosses the intersection they were about to turn into. They take out their fru-, -atin~c n va pipicstsfrcpine * '1 r'; t y,?r8' ,; .'iii: i .. jJ+/j o ° .r. , j ," .r: '9 /\ )> G