4 OPINION Page 4 Friday, October 11, 1985 The Michigan Daily Code, national issues spark debate 4 4 After eight months at work on an alter- native to the administration's code of non- academic conduct last year, members of the University Council suddenly found themselves under University President Harold Shapiro's gunpoint this week. Monday, it was disclosed that in private meetings between student leaders involved in the code and Shapiro last week, he threatened to by-pass the eight-member code council and submit last year's code proposal to the regents in January. Shapiro, however, told MSA President The Week in Review Paul Josephson, and University coun- cilmembers Ben Long and Susanne Cohen, that he would not go to the regents if the council finished its version of the code within the next two or three months or else reconsidered last year's code proposal. The University Council set aside the ad- ministration's proposal last year and opted to begin work on their own code, after students and faculty rallied and protested the proposal as unfair. The "code" sought by the administration would give the University the authority to punish students, faculty members and University staff for offenses outside the classroom. Those against the code however said parts of it was unconstitutional, citing for example, that students subject to ex- pulsion or suspension for over one term would have the right to a jury of their peers, but for all other accused, their fate would be decided by one faculty or administrator serving as the hearing officer. Others opposing the code maintain that the University should not have the right to con- trol the lives of students outside the classroom. Reconsidering the administration's code may give it credibility and make it easier for the administration to gain regental ap- proval, students say. Archie Andrews, one of the three administrators on the council says such a move may be politically unwise. But on the other side of the gun is an ad- ministration impatient with the council's progress, threatening to shut the council out of the code drafting process. Exorcising rights Chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Com- mission Clarence Pendleton sparked off his own small protests at a speech in the Law School Tuesday night. Addressing the topic, "Does Racism Exist in America?" Pendleton answered, "There is racism in America. There always will be. It cannot be prevented by laws or regulations." He contends that a "new racism" has developed from the preferential nature of many Affirmative Action programs in place. Because many programs now, "sub- stitute(ing) race for standards in em- ployment and admission to college," Pen- dleton says some qualified white candidates are overlooked and those minority can- didates who are qualified are often mistakenly looked down upon as the beneficiaries of preferential treatment. Pendleton advocates expanding the pool of minority applicants for positions, but sharply criticizes quotas and timetables as measures of programming success. During the question and answer period following Pendleton's speech, several protesters identifying themselves as "con- cerned members of the Ann Arbor African- American community," staged an "exor- cism" to remove what they called a "European mind hiding behind a black face." The protesters donned minstrel style black face in allusion to the racism inherent to the turp-of-the-century stage event. Sweet nothings While the crowd at Rackham was solem- nly consuming a balanced menu of opposing views on the Star Wars controversy from national experts, one Daily editor may have learned the true origins of the President's Strategic Defense Initiative. According to Alvin Streeter, an infor- mation officer for the United States Arms Control Agency, who was in town to par- ticipate in the conference, Star Wars is "based on the vision of Ronald Reagan as a political leader. He sensed we'd come to the end of the road with arms control, deterren- ce was unstable. "I don't know exactly where the idea came from", Streeter later said when pressed to describe preliminary research of the proposed stratospheric missile shield. "Maybe it was something Nancy whispered in his ear," Streeter told the Daily. VP visits Twenty-five years ago, Ann Arbor was just a quick rest stop for a young presiden- tial hopeful. But one early morning when John F. Kennedy addressed a crowd of students on the steps of the Michigan Union in 1965, the ideals of the Peace Corps were born. This week, Vice President George Bush stood beneath the gleaming bronze plaque that graces the steps of the Union com- memorating the Kennedy speech - as an envoy of the Reagan Administration in celebrating the anniversary of the Peace Corps and the international development ef- forts that have evolved. Bush seemed unshaken as he faced a large and partially hostile crowd, but tried to charm the protesters with his love of those Amazen' Blue Wolverines. when the sea of protesters and placards seemed to swell, however, Bush chuckled and told the crowd, "That's one of the great things about freedom. I'd like to see them go down to old Lenin Square and see what happens there." Ironically enough, Bush was probably unaware that his controversial visit had in fact endangered last week's Michigan Student Assembly and Rackham Student Government's resolutions expressing their firm opposition to the appearance of any member of the Reagan Administration - a move that stirred campus controversy as to the legitimacy of such potential "censor- ship." Where was Hal? The Michigan Student Assembly, Cam- puses Against Weapons in Space and the of- fice of Student Activities presented the University community with a comprehen- sive conference on the Strategic Defense Initiative last Friday and Saturday. A variety of campus and national experts on arms control, economics and foreign policy from both ends of the political spec- trum participated in a charged panel discussion Friday night, while more specific workshops were held on Saturday. Student organizer Ingrid Kock, MSA's military research researcher said she was encouraged by the turnout, which nearly filled Rackham auditorium Friday night. Kock noted, however, that the primary student audience was indicative of the fact that many of the Regents, faculty, and University administrators aren't much in- terested in debate or discussion of the issues. "I'm disappointed they couldn't attend," Kock said, "but what's most im- portant is that the Regents not cut off discussion. The Week in Review was compiled by opinion page editors Jody Becker and Joseph Kraus and staff writer Kery Murakami. 4 ... contemplates SDI's origins 01 b e fiCtt4gan Batilyl Edited and managed by students at The University of Michigan Vol. XCVI, No. 27 4 20 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Editorials represent a majority opinion of the Daily's Editorial Board LETTERS MSA should stick to student issues Day of protest THE UNITED NATIONS has designated today as an inter- national day of protest against Apartheid. Over 100 universities will hold demonstrations today in the movement to cut U.S. ties to South Africa and free South African political prisoners. The U.N. General Assembly has long called for complete divest- ment by foreign investors and for economic sanctions by national governments. In speeches last week the ambassador to the U.N. for the Organization for African Unity Onmarou Garba Youssoufou articulated inter- national opinion by calling for a total embargo of South Africa. While the University has ap- propriately divested 99 percent of its holdings, members of the University community can still make an important statement at local actions by underscoring the U.S. government's ties to the Apar- theid regime and its growing isolation in the international com- munity. Several University organizations have scheduled workshops, mar- ches, diag rallies, and a panel discussion this afternoon as well as a teach-in the following Thursday through Saturday. To the Daily: The Michigan Student Assem- bly was created as an organization to "regulate, coor- dinate, recognize, and calendar STUDENT activities and STUDENT organizations." They were not created to "pass resolutions opposing appearan- ces of national figures and en- dorsing demonstrations," not to be involved in international or national politics. They should only be concerned with the students' problems within the university system. Recently, however, it seems that MSA would rather concern itself with the appearance of an important elected official than campus issues. When the students of the University pay their tuition bill they are each giving $5.07 to MSA. By accepting this money, MSA agrees to represent the students and their interests in the university and the students agree to endorse their policies. Currently, there is no shortage of campus problems. There is in- sufficient student seating for football games, resistance to the Code of Nonacademic Conduct, and many problems with CRISP. These are the issues which the MSA should deal with in fulfilling its responsibility to the students. Vice President Bush's ap- pearance on campus is an honor for the university. Not only will it bring national coverage and ac- claim, but it will also be a source of publicity for the school. His appearance may even spark campus discussions on ad- ministration policies, as the Daily points out. By attempting to censor the appearance of certain "un- desirables" on campus, MSA is acting against the interests of the Daily misread RSG resolution students and the basic values of a democracy. I wonder what the MSA would do if the regents voted to oppose the appearance of all liberal speakers on campus. Instead of MSA's members trying to impose their views on the students of the university by passing resolutions and endor- sing demonstrations that will hurt this school, they should be more concerned with the studen- ts' interests. The resolution which they passed was un- necessary and wrong. -Jeff Ellman Eddie Mehrfar Nate Nichols Dan Golovan Greg Brehm Jim O'Donnell Steve Horwitz To the Daily: Your editorial ("Deaf Ears," Daily, Oct. 2) condemning the resolution passed by the Rackham Student Government concerning the appearance on campus of representatives of the Reagan administration seems to be based on a misunderstanding of the actual wording of the resolution we passed. Our resolution did not call for a ban on appearances by represen- tatives of the Reagan ad- ministration. Rather it expressed our "firmest opposition" to their appearance in a context where opposing viewpoints will not be allowed to be presented. Our intention in passing this resolution was in no sense to cut off debate or to keep people from hearing the Reagan ad- ministration's arguments. The tremendous power of the Reagan administration to manipulate the media would make such an effort seem ridiculous. Our concern was rather to express our op- position to the University's allowing itself to be used to enhance the legitimacy of their policies. The Reagan Administration is currently committed to a policy of mass terrorism in Central America - supplying planes and bombs for the indiscriminate bombing of rural civilians in El Salvador, while financing and directing the Contras' atrocities in Nicaragua. In South Africa it continues to support a regime that intensifies the repression of its people daily. These policies stand in op- position to the most basic notions of human rights and self- determination. As long as the administration is pursuing these policies it is unconscionable its representatives be allowed to speak on campus in an honorific context. - Dean Baker October 2 Protesters leave sour taste 4 To the readers L ETTERS TO THE EDITOR from readers are an important part of any newspaper, par- ticularly at the University, where they can serve as written extension of the debate that grows out of the educational atmoshpere. The Daily's recent increase in circulation has brought on the mixed blessing of a dramatic in- crease in the number of letters we receive. Since we anticipated a more modest increase, our current policies for selecting and printing letters seem insufficient. We encourage that all future submissions be kept under 300 words. In cases where such a limit is impossible, contact the opinion page editors to make other arrangements. In the meantime, as we pursue alternative means of handling let- ters to the editor, we apologize to those people whose letters have not received sufficient con- sideration, and encourage everybody to continue correspon- ding. A Royal Cardinal sin To the Daily: Now that the Royals and Car- dinals are battling in their respective League Championship Series, it seems a fitting time to comment on "The Missouri World Series" article of Oct. 3. As a Missourian, Mr. Keaney has failed to "show me" anything remotely resembling a "Kean Eye." Although the entire article of- fends, three points in particular stand out. First, astroturf is not a detraction from The World Series. On the contrary, it provides up tempo games with base runners and high scores. Not everyone likes slow infields and unfair bounces provided by natural turf. Mr. Keaney also takes a poke at Royal's Stadium and its year's NL batting champ; Dan Quisenberry, the greatest relief pitcher in history; Ozzie Smith, third highest paid player in the game, All-Star, and Gold Glover; George Brett, the best hitter of the last decade; Vince Coleman, third highest stolen base total in only his rookie year; Frank White, only second baseman to win 6 Gold Gloves; Tommy Herr, All-Star and perennial MVP can- didate; and the list goes on. So, next time you take a pen in hand Mr. Keaney, remember that good journalism is based on accuracy and truth. And by the way, George Brett had hemorrhoids in the 1980 World Series, not 1981. -Steve Highlander October 6 To the Daily: Having waited 2 hours on Monday, Oct. 7, for Vice President Bush's speech, I am chagrinned at not having been able to hear him utter one com- plete sentence, because of the protestors chants, of course. But what is the practical significance of this event? The protestors might ask what the real tragedy of one afternoon lost is in a life that has thousands of afternoons; when so much time is wasted by our own stan- dards? They have a point. The demonstraters may also question the peculiar importance of a Peace Corps com- memoration speech, com- memoration speeches come a dime a dozen. And there is the justness of the causes, and the right to protest U.S. government policies. All these options and rights stand. Now, what was the practical nature of this protest and what ef- fects follow? Once more, I could not hear a word he said. An organized group of protestors willfully violated a fundamental American law, to wit, Mr. Bush's right to speak and my right to listen to him. Who can deny that by such ac- tion they attempted to establish themselves as arbiters of opinion? If I alter my opinions in any way favorable to them, is it not based on the one sided, forced information I heard shouted for 20 minutes? It is undeniably so. when protestors try to change ou beliefs in this manner they break our constitutional right of free speech and attempt to dictate changes in our opinions. Even more important than this event though, is how I, and others, will view the protestors and their causes in the future. Monday's speech and protest is over, logged by the Daily, to be judged as it will. But tomorrow will again consider the makeup these various group's members, the volume or strength of the arguments, and how they are presented as well. This is what is really at stake - and, in my view, they have fared poorly enough for one day. David F. Battaglia October 8 ..... .,i. . yti :.... o;.y.'{":".":"J:4:".4" .ti ":: "ii:":"::!}::{.'.iY::,..: "::1.4:'::" .............r.r:::..'::::...::::.::::.::.::::. ::::.::::::.::............. " Y LY:iii . " ~+. 1.:L. ..1 .t. ".{V::::.4 :.t .1 . "fti":":":":ti":":": J:".".Y :":.":;:}: i. "' }rN".:".": ..::.......... 1'". ti. 144":,'"::";; i}"i:; i:"'r:" "":4".1v": ..ti i " ..1...1V ":.11....... . ..1 "4T: 4. :Y: .... . 4. . " ..." t... i.4':.. rte... ... .": :.::.:..........:: ...:."."::::.: i }. 4 . t.l. V.V "::.11": l:.11Y1::.1".""""" "": "'Yfl:: S ....... ...... :::.::.411"::::.x:: ...::::i ":"444 .4V.......... 4V "k "f.4444"::.4V."::.4.4..:' ..:........... ..4.. ":.4"". " .::: : . ........::".ti"::"::":":ti":": : ::": ....... .... :44. N Q :'.1":::.11".".".1441Y: :11"::.4": :." :14......A":.':..44".".........:., 4": ... "..... .... ................