Page 4-The Michigan Daily- Thursday, April 1,1993 WIpe irbigau ~mIg l/1 I3 c C3~ -- . i 420 Maynard Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan JOSH DuBow Editor in Chief ElUN LIZA EINHORN OpinionEditor -t r 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. KY~~ 6 ~ So4 * "/7 i c S +M JcIT ~4N.y I /,~-~==:~z-- 7~~7n< KL i 0 S GRADLOCK University must concede to GEO demands C OMPROMISE. lented their position and agreed to allow the To most people it means working to- current package to remain. gether for the collective good. To the On the surface, it seems as if the University University, however, it means forcing the oppo- took a positive step. But, in reality, it managed to sition to accept everything without question. brilliantly use GradCare as a political tool. This disturbing trend flexed its disappointing GradCare forced TAs and RAs to mount forces muscle last week as the Graduate Employees against thehealthcare proposal. Inthe meantime, Organization (GEO) - the union of teaching this meant they would have to forget their origi- assistants (TAs) and research assistants (RAs) nal demands. The issues still under contention - attempted to settle its contract dispute with are the length of GEO's contract, salary in- the University. While turning to mediation creases, and a controversial registration fee. But seemed an acceptable alternative for both par- nothing comes easy when dealing with the Uni- ties involved in the contract dispute, it is now versity. In the end, GEO launched a tremendous clear that the University has become so en- fight, and .while it may have won the battle trenched in its inflexibility that a resolution will against GradCare, the war must now begin anew. take nothing short of a miracle. While it may seem petty that GEO is fighting When negotiations began, GEO presented a over a $40 registration fee, the union has its hands list of perfectly reasonable demands to the Uni- tied. Ifit gives in, it could set aterrible precedent versity. Instead of dealing with the pertinent that the University would take advantage of year issues, however, the University took the offen- after year. sive and suggested replacing GEO's current While it may not be a good move for GEO to health care package with a weak alternative - fight for shorter contracts - as with each new GradCare. Not only was GradCare a poor pro- negotiation session the University attempts to posal that ignored TAs' and RAs' basic health take away existing benefits - the union's de- care needs, it was substantially less comprehen- mands should be granted. If the University cares _sive than the current package. After a long at all about undergraduate and graduate educa- battle, the University's negotiators finally re- tion, it will make concessions immediately. A STDENT VOICE lbertarian couldsrepresent sudens, 4th Ward E EFFECTS OF, a Libertarian majority Ward) wno tinsnea ins masters degree at Me on Ann Arbor's City Council would be University last spring, no students have repre- scary. The Libertarian ideal of no taxes sented campus needs in city government since and, essentially, no governmentsim- the seventies. When the Council writes ply would not realistically work in housing codes that dictate how many terms of maintaining some degree people can live in a house and where of order in the city. But one Liber- they can live, students are rarely con- tarian on council could do nothing ssulted. When it discusses noisy party "hortofpresentinganotherperspec- ordinances, students -whothese laws tive and creating open dialog. are designed to control-are not even - LSA sophomore Kreg Nichols, notified. Much of this dueto thelack of t Libertarian running for council in studentinterestin city government, but the 4th Ward, is not only the best if Nichols were elected, he could not :candidate to represent an indepen- - - only be a direct line from campus to dent voice and offer a dissenting council, but he could also bring city opinion to the oft stagnant council, Nichols issues to students. but as a student he could also represent ignored While Hartwell, a former Ann Arbor school student concerns. His opponents Republican board vice president, would be a strong advocate ; uie Creal andDemocratSteven Hartwell have for education, his experience and knowledge of rofessedinterest inlistening to students, but as city government cannot compete with Nichols' Nichols pointed out, "you don't have a vested enthusiasm and unique point of view. A 4th interest in the University if you don't go there." Ward homeowner, Nichols is the perfect candi- With the exception of Peter Nicholas (D-4th date to serve all the constituents of that ward. 3RD WARD, 5TH WARD Pro-environment Dems. would focus council Pay attention to rules of common courtesy. It never ceases to amaze me how many of the students at Michigan can come from the finest families, have gone to the best schools, score top rank in everything from Psychology to Aerospace and yet have no clue of what their peers consider rude, of- fensive or inconsiderate. Well for those of you who haven't the slightest idea, here is a crash course on what most of your peers consider rude. 1) Propping yourfeet on the back of the person's chair in front of you: This is rude and disrespectful. Nobody wants the dirt Action Natosha Morris from your shoes falling on their clothes or your feet two inches away from their head. 2) Crossing a person's path, shoving into them (damn near knocking them over), and not saying exuse me. What is your problem? 3) Talking during lecture: I do not mean whispering. I'm referring to carrying on a conversation in a normal dialogue tone simultaneously while the professor is speak- ing. Why can't you write a note to say what you want? You are quite arrogant to think that because you don't find what the profes- sor is saying as interesting you can distract the majority of the people around you. I would like to add here that rambling and shufling your books before the profes- sor has ended lecture is also rude. The professorknows what time theclass is over. She or he is not going to stop any faster because a few inconsiderate people want to makeitknown the houriscoming to aclose. This is college not high school. You are not going to get detention if you arrive to your next class a little late. 4) Smoking directly outside the entrance of a smoke free building: The purpose of a smoke-free university building is to respect a person's right to clean air specifically in an environment conducive to learning. What a feeling one must get when he or she is forced to inhale a thick cloud of awful smelling smoke because an inconsiderate smoker would be too inconvenienced to walk away from the entrance of the build- ing. Smoking inside a sheltered university bus stop is equally offensive for the same reason. 5) Staring: This is one of the most obvious forms of rudeness. Staring makes most people feel singled out, strange and uncomfortable. 6) Hitting a sitting passenger in the head with your bookbag while standing on the bus: Whatissodifficultaboutremoving the bag from your shoulder when you're stand- ing in front of a seated passenger? You certainly cannot think the comfort of your dirty, synthetic orleather bookbag deserves precedence over the comfort and personal space of a human being? 7) Talking loud and acting obnoxiousin the library: The last time I checked, the general consensus was that people usually kept quiet in this building so that others can read and complete other silent activities. If you want to talk with your friends do it outside the building, in the lobby, or at home. Those who did not come to the the library to socialize, party and find a date should not beforcedtopartakeinthe festivi- ties. When there's a bar, music and a dance floor added into the UGLI, we'll let you know. 8) A spin-off of #7, Talking loud on the university bus: Everyone does not care to hear your conversation,especially when the subject matter is offensive or controversial. A fifteen minute bus ride in my opinion is not the proper time and place to force your views about religion, race abortion and politics on other people. 9) Last, but certainly not least, making loud stereotypical andprejudice comments aboutotherracesinpublic universityplaces. I am specifically addressing the Black and white communities at University. First, to the Black people: It is rude, ignorant and totally unnecessary to make derogatory statements aboutthe entire white race and make references to slavery and voice your anger each time you are in the close proximity of a white person. All white people are not racists. It is not fair for innocent people to be stereotyped and constantly subjected to verbal badger- ing for something which they personally had nothing to do with. To the white people: Likewise, it is rude, ignorant and unnecessary to make derogatory comments and references to Black people not being qualified to attend theUniversity academically and financially. First, your tuition is not paying for every Black student here receiving financial aid because not every Black person needs it. Second, if every African-American student werenotMichigan material, there wouldn't be any ofus here because we'd allflunk out after our first semester. To both groups: It is no wonder the racial tension between us on campus is so thick. We constantly have ignorant people from both races reinforcing our prejudices. From my point of view, it's not about political correctness,butrespecting theper- son and ensuring the safety of all individu- als. This is why manners is a must. Morris' column appears on the Opinion page every other Thursday. Communities should unite, not fight [RD WARD DEMOCRATIC candidate Ulrich Stoll, a retired civil engineer, is a people's liberal, who truly understands" that the city council must remain vigorously committed to providing for the long-terminter- ests of Ann Arbor. Stoll's weak opposition, Republican candidate Lee Pace, a static conservative; and new-comer Libertarian candidate Samuel Copi, a first-yearUniversityunder- graduate; cannot nearly match up against Stoll's thoughtful consideration of the issues and his experi- enced, detailed knowledge of housing, community co- operation, environmental Stoll protections, and downtown vitality. Stoll, a well-rounded, thoughtful candi- date, is the Daily's clear choice to represent the people of the 3rd Ward. Stoll, an Ann Arbor Ecology Center boardmember, strongly supports the natural fea- tures ordinance; expanding affordable housing in the downtown area; implementing recycling reforms to reduce solid waste; and expanding public housing units. Stoll's most impressive characteristic is his genuine desire to empower residents, to bring them into the political process and to hear all sides of the debate. Stoll would play a central role in helping make the council rimn,,AffcP rennnc' iP ati arn rnt!1h1 p F IFTH WARD DEMOCRATIC candidate David Stead, a life-long environmental defender, faces credible opposition in Re- publican candidate Larry Murphy, Libertarian Kent Hyne, and Tisch Party Independent Raymond Pierce. The field of candidates in this ward is strong and extremely diverse, and both Stead and Murphy would be effective councilmembers, but the Daily endorses David Stead duetohisuniqueenvironmen- tal professionalism. Stead, a private environ- mental consultant, is Al Gore incarnate. HeleadstheMichi- gan Environmental Council, Stead a state lobbying group, and has served on the board of the Ecology Center for two years. He also volun- teered to mediate the Gelman Sciences pollution cleanup discussions. A talented problem-solver, and open-minded thinker, Stead is a dependable ecological spokesperson with considerable tech- nical background in waste management, pollu- tion control, as well as in woods and wetlands preservation. Stead will instantly become Mr. Environment on council - the perfect type of specialized expert the city needs to help dissemi- nate complicated natural features issues. Larry Murphy, an articulate, compromising moderate, and a product planner at Ford Motor, is anol tcal centrist who differs little from Stead To the Daily: Regarding Natosha Morris' column, "Homosexu- ality is not a nationality" (3/ 18/93), I wish to respond to her offensive and ignorant ::omments pertaining to 'homosexuality" and the Black race." First of all, I did not appreciate Morris' complete patronization of lesbian and gay male history. While it is true that Blacks "have struggled in America for basic humans rights for hundreds of years," I am comfortable in arguing that homosexuals have existed and struggled in this country for as long as African Americans, if not longer. Morris attempts to limit the lesbian and gay male effort to a couple of measly :cades and a few trivial potests. This is utterly 'diculous and unfounded. Just as Morris states, 'Black people are born lack," homosexuals are born mosexuals. There is no 'ding this fact. Homosexuals an active and visible minority; it is society who "chooses" to sustain a web of invisibility over lesbian and gay male culture. Morris fails to recognize the extent to which psychopa- thology (i.e., torture, degrada- tion, dehumanization) affects homosexuals. In our very own country, the beating of Rodney King spawned a national uproar and rightly so. But the unwarranted murder of Allen Richard Schindler, a petty officer in the U.S. military, sparked little response. Where was the uproar for Schindler? The riots? The rage? As a gay African- American male, I contend that this society is more tolerant of outright violence against homosexuals than they are for violence against Blacks, and not the other way around, as Morris suggests. Lastly, Morris is offended that other oppressed minority groups, specifically homo- sexuals, align their cause with the "struggle of the Black race." Morris acknowledges the differences within the Black community itself, yet she proceeds to reduce the African-American experience into one of shared "features, language, and culture." She insists that other minority groups should not align themselves with the Black cause because of the multi- faceted nature of being Black. I find such logic to be entirely inconsistent. The point is not to align specific interest groups based on race, gender, or class. The point should be to allow for the existence of a unified front against discrimination in any way, shape or form. Like Morris, I too can not hide my blackness, nor can or should I hide my sexual orientation. Having a "choice" is not the luxury Morris conceives it to be. I was born Black. I was born gay. And I will die all the same. Travis Langenkamp LSA senior deserves to stay To the Daily: To anyone who has had the pleasure of taking a math course from Professor Rollie Trapp over the past three years or has heard about what an outstanding teacher he is, you should know that this is the last semester at the University. As a post-doctoral teacher, he cannot receive tenure and thus must seek employment elsewhere. His leaving will be a tragedy for the Univeristy community; he is a math teacher who actually knows how to teach, is accessible to students both in and out of class, uses coopera- tive learning to promote real understanding, and actually cares whether students comprehend the material. It is my understanding that the mathematics department wanted to create a position for which Professor Trapp would have been an excellent candidate, but the funding for the position was not forthcom- ing from LSA Dean Goldenberg (no relation) claims that the decision is up to the math department. The department says it's up to the dean. Meanwhile, we stand to lose one of the highest-rated teachers (by students) that the University has to offer. I urge 0 Sublet section became waste of money To the Daily: Whoever had the idea to Most importantly, upon offer becomes the least . I