4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, September 11, 1996 aE d )igan Daigi 420 Maynard Street -Ann. Arbor, MI 48109 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan T' Ali r« RONNIE GLASSBERG Editor in Chief ADRIENNE JANNEY ZACHARY M. RAIMI Editorial Page Editors NOTABLE QUOTABLE, 11 always wear a condom. It's a habit.' - Male LSA junior discussing his sexual habits with the Daily JIM LASSER SHARP AS TOAST OnIess otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Daily's editorial board. All other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily. tROM THE DAILY Holydays New U' policy accomplishes little :r MHOOSE lb KEE6P M r Y e2 CLEgATi OF All- THO5U J 4 ___L________ NO MOV/ES yo'V SNK fvc vOL/AR, IV bee O> f , any students find themselves in a similar predicament: They must decide whether to miss class for religious reasons, or skip religious observances for class. In fact, this dilemma will affect many Jewish students over the next few weeks, as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur - two of the religion's holiest days - approach. It afflicts many students of other denomina- tions throughout the academic year. Recently, the University approved a policy that aims to aid students who must miss class for religious reasons. While the policy is. a step in the right direction, its vague wording lacks the substantive impact neces- sary to make the proposal fulfill its intent. Throughout the summer, LSA senior Anthony Scaglione, who chairs Hillel's governing board, and Associate Provost Susan Lipschutz worked together to create the "New U-M Policy On Religious- Academic Conflicts.'' Recently, the Offices of the Provost and Vice President for Student Affairs approved the policy. It will be mailed to students in the next few weeks. Overall, the policy states that the University will "make every reasonable effort to allow members of the University Community to observe their religious holi- .days without academic penalty." Students \must inform their instructors that they will miss class, and the two parties must decide on "a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities." However, if the faculty member can demon- strate that the student's absence would pose an "unreasonable burden on the faculty," then the instructor can deny the student's request. The University deserves commendation for formally approving the policy. However, the vague wording takes much of the bite out of it, thereby undermining its purpose. While most faculty members easily accom- modate students in these types of matters, there is no guarantee that all will. A faculty member could have a legitimate reason for not granting the student permission to make up missed work. The policy does not direct- ly protect the student against a possible denial, thereby placing the student in an unenviable situation. Scaglione told The Michigan Daily that if a disagreement arises, the policy dictates that the parties involved should contact the chair of the department. If the chair cannot satisfactorily solve the problem, then they should contact the college's dean. And if this proves futile, then they should talk to the Ombudsman. However, weaving one's way through the busy and obtrusive University bureaucracy is no easy task - and an unfair burden to place on students who simply want to cele- brate their religious holidays without has- sle. Moreover, it could take several weeks for a dispute of this nature to be resolved - long after the holiday in question comes and passes. Furthermore, it is unlikely that a faculty member would contact the administration - unless the student complains, then the instructor's decision will stand. Hence, the burden falls on the students' shoulders. In the end, the policy does little to alle- viate the conflict. A better, more effective policy would have included specific clauses that automatically granted students the right to make up any work they may miss on a religious holiday. As it stands now, the pol- icy could create more conflicts than it orig- inally planned to solve. a L t. AND NO POL/ TiC5! I "7--TO I C ;P- z, PLI$1CANS FoCr p, RI EDE_ N T_ LETFERS TO THE EDITOR BILL GOR Free Tfshirt Students should steer clear of the credit trap Anyone who has walked down State Street, passed through the Michigan Union or attempted to enter a book store has encountered them. Going through the mnotions of the first weeks of school, stu- dents find themselves completely surround- ed - they circle - armed with pen and application ready to go in for the kill. These tives may claim that you can cut them up later, they would not waste their time with these massive sign-up campaigns if it were not in their best interest. Most people don't cut up their new cards - and cutting the card does not cancel the account. Those who do dispose of the cards will find them- selves on a permanent mail and phone list, Give an unbiased report of the Emmys TO THE DAILY: As a first-year student who was previously very involved with my high school paper, I'd like to commend you on your very profession- al and thorough publication. However, I have a bit of a bone to pick with you about your coverage of the Emmys. On the front page of Monday's paper you have a preview box, denoting expanded Emmy coverage on page 8A. But the article accompanying the picture of Dennis Miller ("'ER' dos leave 'NYPD' blue at 50th Emmys," 9/9/96) is void of one of the basic news writing laws, objectivity. Why is the article so opinionated? What authority does (Joshua) Rich have to deem certain shows inferior? I, this piece was supposed to be heavily opin- ionated, why was his e-mail address not left at the end, in the same fashion as (Adrienne) Janney's piece on Page 4A ("Student housing theory 101," 9/9/96). If this article was a review, like two of the others on Page 8A, where is the review logo? Perhaps a factual recap of the event coupled with Rich's opinion piece would have worked better. Or at least an article with some objective recap of the event. STEVE HORWITZ LSA FIRST-YEAR STUDENT 'Smoke & Mirrors' has Reagonomics all wrong TO THE DAILY: In his column last Friday, Zack Raimi makes a number of charges against the next president of the United States, Bob Dole ("Bob Dole's taxing tale," 9/6/96). While I have neither the time nor the inclination to answer all the charges, I feel com- pelled to answer two of the charges. First, Raimi draws a con- nection between Dole's recent conversion to supply-side economics and the lies of Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson. I could write pages to refute this, but I will sim- ply say that, if such a connec- tion can be drawn, it pales in comparison to President Bill Clinton who must ask his advisers each morning what brush up on his history. Reaganomics created the greatest peacetime economic expansion in history. As for the deficit, Reagan fought for a balanced budget amend- ment and the line-item veto. (It took a Republican con- gress to pass the line-item veto and to at least bring the balanced budget amendment to a vote.) As Reagan himself said, "I used to say to some of the Democrats: 'You need to bal- ance the government's check- book the same way you bal- ance your own.' "Then I learned how they ran the House bank, and I realized that was exactly what they had been doing." JIM RISKE ENGINEERING SOPHOMORE Greek life offers many opportunities TO THE DAILY: In response to the Daily's editorial titled, "What's the rush?" (9/10/96): I would like to offer a view from the other side. First, the whole theme that rush and the Greeks pre- vent the fulfillment of other outside interests is complete- ly false. In fact, the Greek system strongly encourages campus involvement. In my experi- ence, I doubt that I would have had the guts to run for a student government position in my first year if I hadn't had the encouragement and unfailing support of my sorority. I can't tell you how much" it meant to me knowing that more than 100 women were out on campus rooting for me. I wouldn't have won without the support andncon- fidence that they gave me. I also would strongly dis- agree that rush wastes too much valuable time. First of all, people that have gone through rush, whether or not they pledge a house, will have met so many new peo- ple, that this "great big cam- pus" won't seem so scary after they start recognizing familiar faces all over the place after rush. Second, if formal rush seems too intimidating, there is always informal rush. Many people, including myself, who were terrified at the thought of going through the formal rush process, but still wanted to be a part of a strong sisterhood can find what they're looking for in informal rush. You charge that the pledge term gobbles up the study time of that all-impor- tant first semester. That's lence. I can see that every time I go to the library with my sis- ters and we see clusters of other Greeks studying togeth- er. A huge bonus is the abili- ty to tap into the wealth of knowledge about concentra- tions, classes, instructors and various other tidbits about school with which the older members of the house are more than happy to share. I want to thank my sorori- ty for helping me learn about my potential and giving me endless opportunities for learning, leadership, friend- ship and helping me grow into the kind of person that can take on the world. I hope that every student looking for a place where they can do the same listens to their heart and finds it. KELLY KLOUSTIN LSA JUNIOR MEMBER, ALPHA Xi DELTA SORORITY Distrust, not abortion, divided GOP TO THE DAILY: While I am reasonably impressed by the Daily's cov- erage of the state party con- ventions this weekend I must correct a few errors in (Anu) Reddy's report from Lansing ("Abortion divides GOP in Lansing," 9/9/96). First, the contest between Judy Frey and Mike Bishop was hardly frantic, as report- ed in the first paragraph. While the contest was inter- esting, to say the least, nei- ther candidate's forces would have been greatly put out by a loss. While abortion was a key factor in Frey's loss, it was not because she was "pro-choice." It was because she had been actively pro- abortion. Many of us consid- er abortion to be murder. For us, it was not a question of a tolerance under a "big tent," it was a question of trust regarding fundamental princi- ples. Reddy claims that Bishop's win was "not with- out last-minute arm-twisting among delegates." It should be noted that the folks twit- ing arms were on the Frey side. Pro-life arm-twisting consisted of two College Republicans holding up handwritten signs in support of Bishop. Abortion did not divide the convention. The Republican Party is decidedly pro-life and rightly so. The fight on Saturday morning was between those who did not trust Frey and those who felt that Gov. Engler's endorsement was the most important thing. I can defend MiujR ON TAP To whom is the accomplished, smart woman married? H igh Stakes Miss America. Let m tell you a story. It's about a young woman. She is a product of her times. Unusually bright, she rises to the top of her class and graduates far superior to her peers. She then enrolls in a presti- gious Ivy League school where she excels yet again. Despite the advice of her parents and JAMES friends she enters MILLER law school, where, again, she bests her classmates and graduates at the top of her class. This lady is Hillary Clinton. Or is it? Elizabeth Dole is a remarkable woman. She graduated from Harvard Law, near the top of her class. SI went off to work for all of the Republican greats of her era; schilling for Nixon and thedrest of his greasy brethren. She has held two cabinet posts in two administrations and until very recently has been the head hon- cho of the Red Cross. Hillary Clinton has had almost as illustrious a past as Dole. She graduat- ed Yale Law near the top of her class and had a very successful practice a an attorney with the Rose Law firm. I fact, she could be arguably considered to be a less accomplished woman than Elizabeth Dole. Yet these two women are as different as night and day when it comes to their husbands. Hillary is the biggest political liabil- ity since Billy Carter. Since the'day Clinton took office, the two of them - especially her - have been subject t more slams, jokes, innuendo, jibe, tweaks, pokes and cheap shots than Gary Hart in a Victoria's Secret. And for what? What is so different about these two women that they seem like polar opposites during their respective conventions? I'm going to give away a little polit- ical trade secret. The two women aren't that different at all. Both of them are stunningly well educated and both of them have risen to the top of male dominated field. They only differ in the minds of the oily back-room mercenaries, and thus, the American public. Republicans are still a party of the old days. The real old days. Like, seg- regation old days. A Republican's wet dream is for life to be a scene out of "Gone With The Wind" where women are quiet, demure and exist only t bring pitchers of iced tea out to th menfolk and black people still refer to white folks as "boss," but that's anoth- er column. They would prefer that their women be silent, corn-fed, straw- berry blonde baby factories who quiet- ly stand behind the podium and applaud appropriately while their hus- bands attack such worthy targets like the poor, the homeless and anyone else not lucky enough to be the son of a rich, white podiatrist from Dayton. It only complicates the issue whe the women of your party start growing brains and demanding things like an equal voice: And then everything goes to hell, and you find yourself reversing your sensible opinions on everything from abortion to discreet wife-b'eating to unrestricted, masturbatory gun- ownership. Which brings me back to the poor. first ladies. Professionally, there's r difference between the two. They are both aggressive, successful women. The only difference is that the Republican handlers have decided that most voters who prefer to see a flat, brain-dead Elizabeth Dole who has no intellectual effect on her husband. It's comfortable. It's easy. The husband goes out and spends his day smiting the Communists or the homeless or whoever is supposed to be our enem this week and the little woman stays' home and bakes bundt cakes for his triumphant return. Whereas the Democrats have the evil and spiteful Hillary Clinton who leads her husband around by the nose, runs the country and practices evil, twisted, lesbian witchcraft ceremonies. Right. The thought of an accomplished woman even close to the leader of t free world makes the averagY Republican so nervous that they are willing to engage in that most unpro- fessional of tactics, attacking an inno- cent bystander, a candidate's wife. There's no practical difference htvn th tu rnwn _nAnd A t.it- are the credit representatives, v their tents stocked full of every imaginable valueless trinket, sign up the barely willing stu- dent for every card conceived in the world of modern plastic., While credit is a viable method of payment, the responsibility and financial burden of overusing credit places many students in the virtually inescapable valley of debt. Paying for college is a huge expense - tuition, housing, food, books and the expenses of day-to-day living leave most who from and barely a MATT WIMSATT/Daily week will go by where a com- pany doesn't try to talk them into yet another card. College is a profitable market for credit compa- nies. Statistically, college students spend a greater percentage of income on. disposable or other non- essential goods. Credit companies take the risk that students will be able to pay it back, figuring that mom and dad will step in if the student cannot make pay- students with little cash, making credit an attractive alternative to going without minor luxuries. However, the immense expense also neces- sitates loans - subsidized and unsubsi- dized - for many students. When that debt is compounded by several credit cards, a gas card and phone card, students may find themselves with a lifetime of bills or an abominable credit rating. These sign-up campaigns clearly target first-year students living away from home for the first time, and they create the irre- - ,n r ments. If students still cannot make their payments, the company will generally put a less-than-friendly collection agency on the case, and may face the repossession of any items of value - such as a car - that the student owns. Credit does not fade away; poor credit records may follow a person for years, preventing him or her from getting loans, mortgages or other lines of credit. Exercising caution and restraint is the best idea. Students who can afford a credit card should shop around and find a single card that best meets their needs - not «T - it--- o hahc i nina n -r Th