Page 4-The Michigan Daily- Thursday, October 1, 1992

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Editoriii Chiief

420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
764-0552

MATTIIEW D. RENNIE
Opinion Editors
YAEL CITRO
GEOFFREY EARLE
AMITAVA MAZUMDAR

Edited and Managed
by Students at the
University of Michigan

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CAN .5r LL ACHIEVE THE
E ticAN DR g AM

Unsigned editorials represent a majority of the Daily's Editorial Board.
All other cartoons, signed articles, and letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily.

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Hospitals set efficiency standard

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The University Hospitals recently announced
that, due to a newly implemented program
called M-Share, the hospital's proposed budget
contains an $11 million surplus. The M-Share
program operates by offering cash bonus incen-
tives to employees who find more efficient, eco-
nomical ways of providing quality health care.
Hospital officials created the new program to save
the hospital and, more importantly, its patients
money. The hospital's successful efforts are cause
for much attention and praise.
Hospital officials apparently knew how to spark
their employees' interest and efforts. Within one
year, by implementing cost-cutting measures -
such as ending the unnecessary production of
medication for patients already discharged -
employees were delivering higher-quality care at
a lower cost.
As a result of this teamwork, the hospital dis-
tributed half of the $11 million saved among its
employees, as promised. Even the most ambitious
projection at the beginning of the year only al-
lowed for $500 bonuses.
But in the end, the hospital gave each em-
ployee a $2,500 check. Moreover, room rates were
reduced by 20 percent, and the remaining surplus

will be reinvested in capital projects such as con-
struction and job training.
It is clear that outside of budget matters, not all
is well on the medical campus - as evidenced by
the hospital's flagrant disregard for some safety
regulations. But the measures taken to cut costs and
boost quality cannot be overlooked. The medical
center deserves recognition for being the first arm
of the University to effectively employ M-Share, a
type of total quality management. Such fiscal pru-
dence is encouraging in these days of bloated
administrative salaries and hefty tuition increases.
By taking this significant step, the hospitals
have done more than simply cut costs. They have
also made obvious what many people have sus-
pected for years: wasteful spending runs rampant
in certain University institutions.
This economic accomplishment should serve as
a model for the entire campus - including the
Fleming Building. With all the talk that goes on
about total quality management, President
Duderstadt would be wise to look at the other side
of campus. Other parts of the University should
realize that deficits are avoidable when there are
concerned, ambitious people offering creative so-
lutions.

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Undemocratic dormitory dues

T he school year is just underway, and many
students are already low on funds, in part
because the residence halls have slapped students
with a hefty fee designated for house dues, even
though dorm rent is among the highest on campus.
Even worse, these dues are put toward question-
able expenses. The last thing students need is
another mandatory fee, especially when the tan-
gible payback is usually a bag of Doritoes and a
half-hour of "sex and snacks" after watching "The
Big Chill" for the hundredth time.
When the residence halls' individual houses
are not squandering house dues on these novelties,
they usually apply them to intramural (IM) sports
teams; social events, such as dances and parties;
and highly sought-after house T-shirts. House dues
range from $20 to $50. Residence halt leases state
that house or hall dues are mandatory. Students
who do not pay find themselves with a hold-credit,
wvhich prevents them from registering for the next
term.
Hall governments are gracious enough to allow
students to determine the size of the levy through
a vote; as in: "All those in favor of the exorbitantly
high fee of $30, raise your hands." In most cases,
this would follow: "All those in favor of $20."
Conspicuously absent from the ballot is: "All
those in favor of keeping their cash in their own
pockets." Clearly, dormitory democracy is some-
what limited. And if the size of the house dues are
not a real choice, why aren't they included in the
monthly rent charges anyway?
The problem with house dues is not only the
added burden it places on students, or the fact that

students are denied a real choice in how much they
pay, but that a majority of residents are forced to
subsidize the interests of a few. The money goes to
sports equipment, pizza parties and dances -
invaluable experiences to those who attend, and
taxation without participation for those who do not.
Many residents, for example, may not want to go
on a hayride, but may feel obligated to attend just
to get their money's worth. Some less-agricultur-
ally oriented residents may not enjoy a hay-ride,
but would opt for ahall poetry reading at Cafe Fino.
The only solution is to give residents the option
not to pay dues. Those students who want to play
IM sports should pay for equipment. Those who
attend a house dance should pay through tickets.
And those who choose to stay home should be
allowed to do so - and count their money while
they're at it.

Clinton responsible
for debate fiasco too
To the Daily:
To say that President George
Bush retreated from the Michigan
State debate is ludicrous, consid-
ering the fact that he had no say in
the format. Bush agreed to debate
Governor Bill Clinton twice, but
not under the terms of the so-
called bipartisan commission.
Your inaccurate presentation of
the situation only substantiates
your bias. Bush's campaign staff
attemptdd to meet with Clinton's
campaign staff to settle the terms
of the debate, but the Clinton
camp refused on all occasions.
Your editorial sought to thrust
the blame for the cancellation
wholly on President Bush, with
only a brief acknowledgment of
Clinton's refusal to negotiate.
Why not focus on the fact that
Clinton's aloof refusal to negoti-
ate played an equal role in the
cancellation? Maybe it is time for
you, the editors of the Daily, to
start reporting the news and not
your questionable opinions.
Brian J. Laliberte
LSA first-year student
Clinton's past speaks
To the Daily:
In response to the issue of
integrity and character of Gover-
nor Bill Clinton, my husband and
I wish to provide the American
people with our personal reflec-
tions upon Governor Clinton's
background. As Bill's high school
counselor and an observer of his
personal and professional
accomplishments, it is clear to me
that he cares about people and has
an understanding of the issues
relevant to most Americans. Bill
Clinton is a highly intelligent,
optimistic and truthful person
who loves God, his family and his
country.
Edith B. Irons
Hot Springs, Arkansas

To the Daily:
For years, unwilling even to
hear the students to whom it so
rarely deigns to listen, the
University administration has
sought to choke off any remotely
challenging voices by restricting
their avenues for free expression.
Back in '66, President Hatcher's
minions snuck through a code of
non-academic conduct threaten-
ing students' acting against the
interests of the University
community with suspension or
expulsion (sounds familiar).
As the free-speech movement
dawned at Berkley, the adminis-
tration outlawed sit-ins and any
other 'disruptive' protests - like
playing guitar in the West Engin
arch - and otherwise powerless
activists using extra-ordinary
means of communication to
contest the extra-ordinary
injustices of the day were faced
with the steel hand of disciplinary
action. Needless to say, they
didn't take it lying down.
Today, the administration -
which has taken a student to court

for chalking, arrested protestors
peacefully sitting in the Fleming
building, locked students out of
Regents meetings, and deputized
an armed 'security force' - is
offering students the unwanted
boon of a new code of non-
academic, off-campus conduct --
one which Vice President for
Student Affairs Maureen Hartford
says we can't turn down.
The administration that claims
it's going to trust students to sit on
the board of judgement doesn't
trust them to judge whether they
want anyone seated there in the
first place? Not an auspicious
beginning for anyone concerned
over whose interests the code is
really going to serve.
As the administration tools up
to stifle or ignore student opinion
once again, it seems like it's time
to stake out some space on
campus and make our voices
heard before the chance to speak
is lost for good.
Jonathan Harrison
RCjunior

'U' stifles students' rights

Educate yourself, AIDS kills

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To the Daily:
One has to help oneself before
one can help one's fellow man. I
am helping myself by becoming
aware of the facts concerning the
potential killer - AIDS and,
hopefully, also making you aware
of the danger.
Almost one out of every two
hundred people are HIV-positive
in this country. They will get
AIDS, and, as far as is now
known, they will die. There is no
cure for AIDS. Life can be
prolonged-but eventually AIDS
kills. It is now the second or third
leading killer among men from
22-49 years of age.
I have heard people say that it
is a gay man's or woman's
disease. AIDS is transmitted by
the passing of bodily fluids

during sex. I have chosen absti-
nence but I am not 100 percent
safe from AIDS since medical
personnel,who are infected, can
transmit the virus.
Experts are optimistic that a
cure is possible. Some of the
experts expect three to 10 years
until a cure is discovered. The
thing that seems unjust is that
innocent people are dying. If they
are not innocent, this is a harsh
penalty for having unprotected
sex.Will the average man get
AIDS? I hope not. I will try to
remain celibate, but if the allure of
mingling is too much, wear a
condom. You all can make the
odds pretty much in your favor
and live a long, happy life.
Albert A. Pontello
Birmingham, Michigan

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We didn't start the fire..

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NAFTA will improve economy

President Bush has promised to sign the North
American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) if
he wins the November election. The issue of
combining the three North American nations into
a giant free market has proven controversial be-
cause of the short-term threat of unemployment.
While increasing unemployment presents a dan-
ger which must be addressed, free trade will, in the
long run, promote far greater prosperity for both
the United States and Mexico.
NAFTA will help U.S. businesses gain access
to international markets, resources and consum-
ers. By eliminating tariffs between Mexico and the
United States, NAFTA will give companies with
the best products, ideas and resources the chance
to expand their markets. Free trade is necessary in
order for the United States to remain competitive,
particularly in light of the coming European Eco-
nomic Community which will create a lucrative
trade block on the other side of the Atlantic.
The price for this long-term prosperity will not
be cheap. Mexico's environmental policy and low
minimum wage standards would put American
workers at a distinct disadvantage if the borders
were Anened tiahv Ac manv as 300 000 Americnn

government will have to make a significant invest-
ment in job training to ease the short-term pain.
Mexico, which stands to benefit most from NAFTA,
must also institute stricter environmental legisla-
tion as a precondition for the agreement.
Bill Clinton proposed drastic changes in educa-
tion, health care, and international trade as part of
his campaign package. However, Clinton's posi-
tion has waffled on NAFTA. He supports a free-
trade agreement, but has expressed strong reserva-
tions - probably to protect his strength with tradi-
tionally Democratic labor workers.
The political difficulties of ironing out NAFTA
mirror the problems faced by the federal govern-
ment at the end of the Cold War. The government
has preferred the short-term benefits of keeping
military -related jobs to the long-term benefits of
investing in newly relevant industries.
Just as defense workers will eventually share
the benefits when the military is downsized to post
Cold War levels, blue collar workers will find
greater job opportunities when NAFTA has been
implemented.
Clinton must acknowledge that short-term prob-
lemq of are worth overcnmina for the long.term

I have a suggestion for the Uni-
versity administrators who are draw-
ing up the new code of non-
academic conduct: Trial by ordeal.
It's the only sure-fire way to ensure
that victims' rights aren't violated.
A little background first. Trial
by ordeal is a highly effective test to
determine guilt or innocence; un-
fortunately, it has fallen outof favor
in recent centuries. The process is
simple. The plaintiff brings up a
complaint against the defendant -
the traditional accusation is witch-
craft, but it
can be any-
thing. The
defendant JMWNA AN
is then
placed in aIC H A T
tub of wa-
ter. If he
floats, this
means that
the holy water his rejected his im-
pure spiritand he is therefore guilty.
If he sinks to the bottom and drowns,
he is innocent, because the water
has accepted him.
Defendants who are found guilty
can submit to an appeals process
wherein they are tied tr, a stake and

began slowly. First came small re-
forms, such as the right to have a
lawyer present when being burned
at the stake. This finally led to the
right to be considered innocent un-
til you are proven guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt - or at least
shown on television pulling your
shirt over your face to hide from the
cameras.
This system has been in place
now for a couple hundred years,
and people have gotten pretty used
to it. But recently, the University
administration has come to the re-
alization that the whole "rights of
the accused" fad hasn't really
worked out so well, and maybe it's
time we chucked the whole idea
and went back to the old system.
So now the University has pro-
posed a code of non-academic con-
duct, which sets up a separate Uni-
versity legal system to handle
cnimes on campus.
Why can't we rely on the Ameri-
can legal system?
Well, the American legal sys-
tem, as I have previously explained,
is run by a bunch of wimpy liberals
who are concerned only with
criminal's rights and tramole all

is "more likely than not" that the
accused is guilty. Lawyers can be
present, but they are not allowed to
speak. They can still perform many
vital functions for the defendant,
however, such as providing refresh-
ments.
While student leaders from
across the political spectrum have
complained that this code is too strict,
I feel that it is too lenient. Guilty
criminals might still occasionally
be found innocent.
It's better to punish a hundred
innocent people than to let one guilty
person go free. Why go back 200
years when we can go back 500? We
need a system that is sure to protect
the rights of the accuser.
Trial by ordeal is not quite as
outdated as you might think. In fact,
it's still used in modern life. Take
pick-up basketball. When two play-
ers disagree over a foul call, the
accused fouler has to take a set shot
to determine if he really committed
the foul. If the ball goes in, the rim
has accepted the ball, and he thus
did not commit the foul. If the ball
bounces out of the rim, the rim has
rejected the ball and he is guilty of
the foul. You don't hear any com-