Page 4-The Michigan Daily- Friday, March 26,1993 I " 4F A& 4& A6.Aw Ttle 420 Maynard Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan JOSH DUBOW Editor in Chief ERIN LIzA EINHORN OpinionEditor Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the Daily editorial board. All other cartoons, signed articles and letters do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Daily. U . /. - ~ - ~ < s y 2 - .- K : , . ,4 ~ 7. f MURDER BY NUMBERS Quantitative reasoningj W HO CAN FORGET sitting inthoseseem- irgly endless orientation sessions, mind wandering as immensely com- plicated pie charts and graphs attempt to explain the unexplainable - the distribution require- znentsystem atthe University? By the time most of us fulfill the myriad requirements, our social security checks are arriving in the mail. But instead ofreorganizing the already exist- ing requirements, the University has asked the LSA faculty to vote at their April meeting on a proposalto institute anew Quantitative Reason- ing Requirement (QRR). While a QRR would be extremely rewarding to LSA students, it should only be implemented as a part of the already existing natural science requirement. LSA Associate Dean Michael Martin has made a compelling argument for the QRR. "In general, what studies show is that in college, students actually get worse in quantitative or computation skills, or they remain the same," Martin said. Moreover, "There are a number of students who avoid math classes. That is a very self-defeating, unhelpful attitude." A QRR would include classes ranging from economics to women's studies and would be beneficial to all. But the fact remains that simply adding another requirement would provide an unnecessary burden on an already hard-pressed student body. Therefore, the University needs to organize the distribution system better in lieu of adding needs more forethought new distributions. Currently, students are offered three distribu- tion patterns to choose from. The one that is selected by a vast majority of LSA students is called a Pattern I distribution plan. This plan requires students toelect atotal of30 credits, with aminimum ofnine from eachof three disciplines - natural sciences, social sciences, and humani- ties. The three remaining credits can come from any of the three disciplines, or can be filled by electing a course dubbed "not excluded." We suggest that the current Race or Ethnicity (ROE) requirement and the proposed QRR be folded into the current distribution categories. For instance, the college would mandate that at least three ofthe required Natural Science credits be elected from a list of quantitative reasoning courses. Likewise, three of the required Humani- ties credits would have to be elected from a list of ROE courses. Under this proposal, students would still be exposed to the breadth of knowledge that distri- bution requirements exist for, while avoiding an increase in the total credits students must elect. The idea of a QRR is not flawed in and of itself. However, imposing such requirements without regard to the big picture helps no one. Recent history has shown us that these require- ments get tacked on without regard for existing distributions -without significant forethought. Suchdecisions riskmaking what is agood ideain theory fail in execution. } + t '' ' 4 s. ,f/ Learn about Ramadan, crush stereotypes By Muzammil Ahmed Medical Student The approximately six million Muslims in the United States observed the Muslim holy month of Ramadan by fasting from dawn to sunset from Feb. 22/23 to March 24/25. Very few people know this. How- ever, most people do know that Muslim fundamentalists might have blown up the World Trade Center. The current publicity regarding Islamic fundamentalism has distorted the more ba- sic principles of the Islamic faith. Without understanding major Islamic events, such as Ramadan, the vicious cycle of stereotyp- ing and misunderstanding of Muslims will continue. This brief article will attempt to explain some of the principles behind Ramadan in order to eradicate some of the misconceptions about Islam. The primary source of Islamic laws are the Holy Qur'an and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). According to the Qur'an, "Fasting is pre- scribed to [Muslims] as it was to those before [the Muslims] in order that [they] may learn self-discipline." (Qur'an 2:183). Muslims believe "self-discipline" is part of a broader Islamic scheme to ensure justice and equity in this world. With self-disci- pline, Muslims develop the strength neces- sary to successfully implement their ideas into reality. The Arabic word for fasting, siyam, means to leave something or to avoid it. Therefore, Islamic fasting is a form of wor- ship where men and women willingly give up their legitimate needs of eating, drink- ing, and maintaining sexual relations dur- ing the daylight hours every day for an entire month. Islamic fasting is not merely limited to food and water: it also requires one to abstain from evil actions. Regarding fasting, the Prophet said, "The one who does not leave evil actions, only gets thirst and hunger from his/her fasting." There- fore, when Muslims fast, they are to act piously according to their faith. In the process of fasting, Muslims also gain a deeper spirituality. Almost every moment of fasting, one is constantly re- minded of the commitment she or he has given towards their Creator. The gnawing hunger and thirst emphasizes the sacrifice one is making and is tangible evidence of one's love for one's God (Allah). Further- lis facing starvation -- there is an over,- whelming need for donations in the form of money and time. Of course, there are many Muslims un- able to fast: the sick, the pregnant, 'the travelers and so on. These people are re' quired to feed one poor person for each day of fastnotkept. For healthy men and women, however, fasting is required, and is one of the five basic pillars of Islam. Fasting, though, is certainly not unique to Islam. Prophets Moses and Jesus (peace be upon, them), both Prophets of Islam also, fasted regularly.'Today, many Christians and Jews still observe various forms of fasting. Simi- b larly, Hindus and many other eastern faiths,. have certain days set aside for fasting. The basics of fasting are quite straight.- forward. The four other pillars of Islam SHUTTING OUT STUDENTS 'The current publicity regarding Islamic fundamental- ism has distorted the more basic principles of the Islamic faith.' Case illustrmtes threats to student housing, rights OUNG STUDENTS KNOWtoo well the sting- ing cruelty of age discrimination. Par- ents, school administrators, and the rest of society frequently remind us that we are "too young" to engage in certain activities. Some- timesthisdiscriminationis justified;many times, however, it is not. Anti-age discrimination re- quirements are one example of how local, state and federal laws protect- ratherthanpersecute - young people. A 21-year-old University student recently came face-to-face with this kind of discrimi- nation. In 1992, the student contacted Russell Anderson Apartments in Ypsilanti Township for rental information. She was told that the complex did not lease to students. She later applied for a room in person, but was not even given an application. Sensing discrimination, she contacted the Fair Housing Center of Washtenaw County for help. The center sent students to the complex to apply for a room. All of the younger students were turned down. A 50-year-old law student, however, received a room at the complex without any problem. This was a blatant case of age discrimination, and the student has filed a lawsuit against the complex manage- ment as a result. This student took the right steps to protect her rights. Although laws do not protect stu- dents against discrimination on the basis of their status as students, they do protect all people - students or not - against age dis- crimination. While other housing organiza- tions like the U-M Housing Division and the Ann Arbor Housing Bureau deal with housing codes and tenant-landlord disputes, the Fair Housing Center concentrates on these types of civil rights violations. The center also has die unique power to "test" alleged violators, as it did in this case by sending students posing as renters. Fortunately, students in Ann Arbor are pro- tected against discrimination on the basis of student status. Ann Arbor's Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination "because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, condition of pregnancy, marital status, physical limitations, source of income, family responsibilities, educational association or sexual orientation." "Educational association" is defined as "the fact of being enrolled or not enrolled at any educational institution." Ann Arbor's Human Rights Department is respon- sible for investigating violations of this law, providing a valuable resource for students who feel their rights have been violated. By the time we turn 18, society has told us too many times what we can and cannot do because we are "too young." But as the case in Ypsilanti illustrates, youth should never be grounds for discrimination - and students should refuse to tolerate such unfair treatment any longer. more, special prayer services are held in the evening, in addition to the regular five daily prayers required of all Muslims. Fasting serves another important func- tion: it allows Muslims to develop empathy for the less fortunate who are hungry and poor. The act of charity, another basic pillar of Islam, becomes important during this time. It should not be surprising, then, that Muslims demonstrate increased awareness about the plight of the oppressed people around the world at this time. This year in particular - with Bosnians facing ethnic cleansing, Palestinians facing exile, Soma- (declaration of faith, praying, charity andy pilgrimage) are also j ust as straightforward.. It is therefore inexcusable that, forexample, the New York Times can write an editorial entitled "New Jersey's Mysterious Mus- lime' (3/11193). There really should be nothing mysterious about Islam and Mus- lims. The perpetuation of stereotypes about Muslims is a result of a lack of knowledge about Muslim beliefs. By understanding some basic Islamic concepts the appropri- ate respect can be generated between Ameri- cans and the millions of Muslims that live amongst them. 'Impact' deserves praise for performance To the Daily: And maybe it did have possibly s After attending two of another underlying theme, but sensitive 1 Impact Dance's perfor- it was a subtle one. We were Zimmer n mances we were appalled to surprised to read such harsh dealing wi read Jody Frank's review criticism for a performance by having to "MTV meets Star Search in a group of non-dance majors. behind sta 'Impact"' (3/8/93). Her This troupe consists of a changing. response to the dance diverse group of people that every tin "Journey Through Hell" was share a love for dance. In our stage as F an attempt to be an art opinion Jody Frank missed the article. TI connoisseur. She says that point of the performance all misleadin "There were moments of together -- entertainment. believe th good movement, but it was Maybe Jody Frank was give the v mostly melodramatic and too just having a personal problem theme. overtly thematic - a little on the evening of the perfor- Let's E subtlety would have been mance, because we fail to see where cre nice." the sexist theme that suppos- troupe wo Who ever said that art in edly "the night was pervaded a fun, ene any form had to be subtle to by." They wer she was being overly to his routine. Joel made one comment vith his misfortune of be on stage while age the women were ;. He did not say this ne he came back on ?rank states in the herefore, we find it ag and a little hard to iat one remark would whole night a sexist give some credit edit is due. This orked hard to present ergetic performance. ren't looking for 41/ id an interview with :ahon but it sounds Frank was. In our because the perfor- as well organized and t was there, the goal of entertainment hed. Lori Shiels Jill Wallace LSA sophomores NO MORE PENCILS... District closing symptomatic of larger problem be enjoyed? She continued with more criticism regarding the Gershwin piece. The dance had a simple theme of two girls fighting for the same guy. No the theme was not a profound one, but is that the point of dancing? Since when does every piece of art have to have another deeper meaning? The costumes were "exploitative" if you consider the traditional ensemble of leotards and tights exploit- ative. There were costume changes that lent variety and expression to the dances, but they were nothing that would not be seen while walking on campus. And if Frank had a problem with the comedian 2 stars an( Ed McMa like Jody opinion, b mance wa the talent utlimate g was reach Reporter forgets Islam To the Daily: I am writing in response to the article, "Sexuality and the Supreme Being".(3/5/93). In this full page article about religion and homosexuality she interviews various ministers, reverends. and rabbis; however, in research- ing the Islamic view point she cannot seem to find one Imam to quote. I am not doubting Kamran Bajwa's or Deana Solaiman's knowledge of Islam; rather, I am concerned with the fact that she did not , give an authoritative Islamic view of the subject. Islam is { too complex to summarize in three paragraphs and should not be used to fulfill a minority response requirement in any article. Shehnaz Khan LSA junior Women must seek cure To the Daily I wholeheartedly agree with Wendy Shanker's perspective ("Sexual Indepen dente has Consequences" 3/ 11/93) that women must take a greater responsibility for x their own safety. However, here is my 11i0f l Y1[.1/"tiiJ " 1T 11^11 "At O lit WITH COFFERS EMPTY and with local citizens refusing to provide necessary funds, public schools in Kalkaska, a poor, rural community in northern Michigan, closed this week. The district's refusal to oper- ate with reduced services until the end of the school year has sparked new discussion with regard to public school funding in this state.. Hopefully, the national attention this story has gained will bring thefunding debate into sharper focus by highlighting the plight of depressed, isolated rural districts. Problems in Kalkaska arose near the begin- ning of this school year when voters turned down a millage proposal that would have given the district funding to continue operating at normal levels. The school could have continued old ones, the board must ask voters in the district to approve the levying of new taxes. This amounts to running a school system by referendum and puts schools in a unique position. Citizens are never asked to vote on the construction of a new prison or repairs for the state capitol. Money for those projects is appropriated by elected repre- sentatives. In a school district, the analogous body of representatives is the school board. Yet if an elementary school, for example, becomes dan- gerously overcrowded, the board cannot raise the money to build a new school without approval from voters. This method has contributed greatly to educa- tion inequality. Wealthy districts in affluent sub- urbs have voters with a relatively high level of Daily promotes To the Daily: You on the Daily should be proud that you try to dispel stereotypes. You try to judge people by their character, and not by their gender, color of skin, religion, or sexual orientation. You did, however, promote stereotypes of the stereotypes of Greek system perpetuate Greek stereotypes. women are not I am pledging a house that is nity. Personall, ,i not "beer-stinking, dilapi- for nothing les dated," but a clean beautiful What happy 1 house that I take pride in. At author was hoi the parties, the brothers aren't deserves or sb( a bunch of "drunk people," through that, b who are "stoned" and all Greeks for j "tripping"; they are dancing perpetuate ster and having a good time. system that pr( r_ W__ rinrinrhniticac f Dt in the frater- Uy, I would stand ,SS. pened to the )nible. No one could be put but don't blame r it, and don't -reoqpes of a rovides excellent, fir manor