4A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 20, 1997
ale £(idigau &zil g
420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Eted and managed by
students at the
JOSH WHITE
Editor in Chief
ERIN MARSH
Editorial Page Editor
University of Michigan
Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Dailys editorial board. All
other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily.
FROM THE DAILY
On thene
'U.' housing may soon be impractical.
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
'I find it odd that someone in charge of College
Republicans would pretend to be a member of the press.'
- Press Secretary for the Michigan Republican Party Sage Eastman, commenting
on allegations that Nick Kirk, president of the University chapter of the College
Republicans, falsified credentials to gain access to the state Republican convention
YUKl KuNI YUKI .R
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TD se A N F r Shut "c n
FE -iNA44 -r r4TLE'KE N oT jAJ
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Tf the University Board of Regents
approves the proposed 4-percent
increase in housing rates at its monthly
meeting on Thursday, they will force stu-
dents to dig deeper into their pockets to pay
for closet-sized rooms and unappetizing
cafeteria food.
The University Housing and Division of
Student Affairs have proposed a 4-percent
increase to both traditional housing room-
and-board rates and family housing rental
rates for the 1997-98 school year. The
increase would cover rising contractual
costs such as food service, utilities and
maintenance. However, the University's cal-
culated inflation rate is only 3 percent.
Therefore, the proposed increase, is 1 per-
cent higher than necessary.
The additional 1-percent increase is
included to "meet debt service require-
ments" for renovation projects at Alice
Lloyd and Couzens residence halls. Yet last
year's fee increase - which was 1.4 percent
above the calculated inflation rate - was
supposed to pay for the renovations.
Students should not pay twice for the
University's failure to stick to a budget. And
once the renovations are done and paid for,
it's a safe bet that the regents will not rec-
ommend similar fee decreases.
Since the 1991-92 school year, room-
and-board rates have increased by 20 per-
cent. Whereas in 1991 the cost of a double
room was $4,084, next year's increase
would place the rate at $5,342. The jump is
exorbitant. Students can barely afford the
current room-and-board prices. If fee
increases continue to exceed the inflation
rate, student housing will be priced outside
the Ann Arbor housing market. If increased
fees force first-year students out of
University housing in favor of cheaper,
roomier, more convenient, off-campus
housing, the University will be denying stu-
dents a valuable experience. Residence hall
living is an opportunity to meet people - a
daunting task at a large public university.
Additionally, if the regents approve the 4-
percent rate increase, Ann Arbor landlords
will have another reason to increase rental
rates. Students living off-campus - many
of whom left the residence halls in the hope
of finding affordable housing - may be
strapped with higher costs as well. Realistic
options are dwindling. The University must
realize the far-reaching implications that
increased rates will have for students.
Instead of hiking fees, the regents should
find a way to reduce costs. As any student
who has lived in University housing can
allege, the halls produce an exorbitant
amount of waste. Cafeterias dispose of food
in astonishing quantities; students rarely
turn lights off behind them. If the
University can find ways to lower utility
and contractual costs, students will not have
to shoulder such a heavy financial burden.
Only after thorough investigation into such
cost-cutting measures can the regents
explain increases that exceed inflation.
, This week's regents meeting will be the
first over which new University President
Lee Bollinger will preside. He and new
Regents Olivia Maynard (D-Flint) and S.
Martin Taylor (D-Grosse Ile), who took
their posts last month, must understand the
detrimental affect a housing rate increase
would have on students. If approved, the
residence halls may no longer be an afford-
able option for University living.
Unfriendly skies
Government should assist good-faith bargaining
T hanks to President Clinton, hundreds
of thousands of Americans were able
to keep their travel plans for President's
Day weekend. Clinton invoked the Railroad
Labor Act of 1926 to order a 60-day post-
ponement of an American Airlines pilot
strike. He will appoint a federal mediation
board to make a non-binding recommenda-
tion for a new contract. Given the circum-
stances, Clinton's decision provides a sore-
ly needed cooling-off period and assistance
for progress. Nevertheless, Clinton must
take every precaution to prevent weakening
America's labor unions.
Only a small gap separates the pilots'
positions and the airline - their differences
could be solved through rational and rea-
soned negotiation. American has offered
pilots, who already earn an average of
$120,000 per year, a generous package con-
sisting of stock options and a 10-percent
wee hike over 4 years. But the pilots are
more worried about losing some of their
jobs to lower-paid commuter airplane
pilots. The imminent strike is not a result of
these policy differences - the lack of
progress in negotiations has been largely
due to hostilities between the pilots and
American's top administrators. The federal
mediation board's labor dispute expertise
could relieve tensions and be a catalyst for
compromise.
American Airlines, as one of the nation's
largest carriers, controls a large number of
passenger air routes. In some cities,
American is the only option for the majori-
ty of flights. Shutting the carrier down
would wreak havoc on the economy.
Business travelers would be impeded,
the busiest travel weekends of the year.
Although Clinton's decision was appro-
priate to this situation, he should invoke the
Railroad Labor Act in only the most
extreme circumstances. Labor's ability to
strike provides leveraging power that has
resulted in significant advances in pay, ben-
efits and working conditions. Taking this
trump card from the unions would leave
employers with little incentive to bargain in
good faith.
Some strikes, like at American Airlines,
affect the national infrastructure and the
performance of the economy. For instance,
automotive strikes often lead to thousands
of layoffs in auxiliary industries. Strikes in
railways, trucking and mining could bring
the economy to its knees. Clinton must
avoid using the Railway Act in most of
these cases. Sometimes economic repercus-
sions that result from organized strikes are
not reason enough to halt a strike - the
president must weigh whether the resulting
deterioration in labor morale and employer
relations will be more damaging than any
adverse short-term consequences.
At times, when the issue gap between
unions and employers is large, a strike is the
only way to invoke compromise. This is not
true of the threatened American Airlines
pilot strike because of the hostility in nego-
tiations and the relative wealth of both par-
ties. These circumstances, coupled with
potential devastation to the economy, were
good reason to use the Railway Labor Act
for the first time in 31 years. Nevertheless,
American Airlines' situation is rare and the
president must continue to use the act spar-
ingly. Preserving labor unions' power is
Daily is unfair
to MSA
TO THE DAILY:
It is becoming evident to
me that the Daily is intent
upon making MSA look bad
regardless of what we do.
First, when Vice President
Probir Mehta's rules violation
first came to light, the Daily
blamed the assembly for even
having the rules
("Inappropriate allocation,"
2/6/97). Now, when we have
voted just to investigate the
incident, the Daily asserted
that the integrity of the vote
was questionable ("On shaky
ground," 2/18/97).
Personally, I changed my
vote the second time around
for two reasons: the negative
reaction I received after our
first vote, and Probir's active
attempts to avoid his own
investigation made me doubt
his intentions. You see, when
we voted the second time,
Probir chose to vote against
the investigation instead of
abstaining, as would have
been proper. 1
Furthermore, it must be
noted that both our president
and general council, Fiona
Rose and Dan Serota, who
are both leaders in the
Michigan Party, did abstain
from the vote. If either one of
them had chosen to defend
Probir, this investigation
would not have begun.
It seems to me that we
chose to investigate Probir in
spite of partisanship, not
because of it. The Daily
should stop questioning the
assembly's integrity and stop
calling this investigation a
vendetta. Instead, perhaps the
Daily should spend its efforts
investigating this matter itself.
DAVID BURDEN
ENGINEERING SOPHOMORE,
MSA REPRESENTATIVE
Campus Jews
should reject
Half-Shekel
campaign
TO THE DAILY:
As a member of the
Jewish community, I do not
feel it necessary for myself or
any one of my fellow Jews to
segregate ourselves from the
rest of the University commu-
nity. Therefore, I feel that the
UJA's Half-Shekel campaign
is detrimental to the true goal
of "Jewish unity." I am sur-
prised to say the least, that
this campaign is supported by
the likes of Michael Brooks.
One of the main features
of Judaism is that we do not
go seeking out people to con-
vert to the religion, nor do
Jews onenlav ndertie I HAs
Jews really that much in dan-
ger where we need to wear
identifying markers to make
us feel better in a sense of
community?
No. I urge my fellow Jews
not to partake in the UJA
Half-Shekel drive if they feel
that is the best way to sup-
port the Jewish community.
Why must we wear these
badges that are not of honor,
but of some sort of guilt?
There are many ways a
Jewish community is sus-
tained, whether it be through
religious practices, participa-
tion in a Jewish club or oth-
erwise. I don't want to feel
that just because I do not
support this campaign that I
am any less a member of the
Jewish community. But I feel
that this campaign says that.
They want eventual 100-
percent participation, but
count me out. I hope others
in the community make the
same ethical choice.
DAVID TAUB
LSA FIRST-YEAR STUDENT
Character is
key to team's
success
TO THE DAILY:
In his column about the
Michigan-Indiana men's bas-
ketball game ("Spectacular
first half precludes to horren-
dous second for Blue,"
2/17/97) Daily Sports Editor
John Leroi stated, "If you
thought Michigan looked
really good in the first half,
you were right."
I beg to differ. I did not
think the Wolverines looked
at all good in the first half.
despite their 18-point lead at
its close. The team did not
pass effectively and had no
patience on offense. Their
scoring depended on exploit-
ing the individual advantages
in size and quickness of
Michigan over Indiana, rather
than crisp passing and work-
ing for an open shot.
They exhibited several
moments of individual offen-
sive brilliance, with Baston,
Taylor, Traylor and others
dunking the ball home.
Unfortunately, whereas the
Wolverines played brilliantly
as individuals, the Hoosiers
played brilliantly together -
as a team - in the second
half. As a result, they did not
have to improvise every shot,
or depend on spectacular ath-
letic ability to create a dra-
matic "highlight reel" play.
After the heartwrenching
loss, Michigan fans once
again left the arena wonder-
ing how the heck we could
have blown that game. I am
familiar with that feeling,
having first experienced it at
Crisler Arena in 1990. The
answer is not that the plavers
coach must instill this value
every day at practice and rein-
force the concept by benching
those "stars" who look at col-
lege ball as a chance to show
off for pro scouts. As a result,
maybe we won't get a top-five
recruiting class every year. Of
course, that hasn't stopped
Gene Keady from winning a
bushel of Big Ten champi-
onships for Purdue (an honor
that has eluded Michigan for
11 years).
I am left to ponder three
difficult questions: Should
we not expect, as a minimum
qualification for the privilege
of playing for Michigan,
respect for the values of dis-
cipline and teamwork? And
should we not demand, at the
barest of minimums for the
privilege of coaching at
Michigan, the ability to
teach, instill and reinforce
these values? Do our players
and coaches meet this mini-
mum?
Leroi also stated, "If you
wondered what happened to
the Wolverines in the second
half, you're not alone." The
answers are all too clear.
JON MARGOLIN
UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS
Consider
Nagrant to
lead MSA
TO THE DAILY:
I read in the article
"Mehta may vie for MSA
presidency" (2/19197) that
speculations have risen about
LSA Rep. Michael Nagrant
running for MSA President.
This is a very heartening
rumor, as Nagrant has proven
that he is an effective student
leader. His success in secur-
ing city council appoint-
ments, as well as his work as
chair of the Campus
Governance Committee, has
demonstrated a solid concern
for the student voice on cam-
pus. So far, Nagrant has yet
to purchase planners with
assembly money or illegally
allocate any student funds to
groups he is involved in.
Furthermore, Nagrant,
according to the article, has
left the Michigan Party - a
very wise and commendable
move. His accomplishments
should not be overshadowed
by the misrepresentation of
students by Fiona Rose and
Probir Mehta.
I find it very dishearten-
ing that the Michigan Party
has nominated Probir to be
their presidential candidate.
Probir has had approximately
one year to change this cam-
pus and demonstrate a com-
petent concern for students.
If Probir was capable of
changing this campus or
impacting students' lives on a
regular basis. he would have
Fred Goldman:
American hero
Imagine for a moment, if you will,
what it would be like to receive a
call in the middle of the dark night
from a police officer who tells you that
your son is dead. Not just dead, but
brutally murdered. Only a few days
later, the suspected killer is located
and charged. This man, whom y
undoubtedly hate, turns out to be
famous ex-athlete
with a winning
smile and more
money than God.
And he uses his
money to buy the
best legal defense
in America, per- 4
haps the world
The murder trial
begins and the
eyes of the uni-
verse watch each ZACHARY M
day's proceedings. RAIM
As the trial pro- SMKE &
gresses, justice _ _i_____
becomes more
elusive while the lawyers wrangle and
the judge lets things spiral out of con-
trol. You see the memory of your dead
son get lost in a legal game where pe
ception is reality and reality is irrelO
vant
And you get frustrated. You lash out
at the killer and the judge. You cry and
whine. You have nowhere to turn. The
cameras won t go away. You feel
deeply angry and bitter. All you want
is a little justice.
And a majority of Americans think
you are right; they agree that the
defendant did it. But the only opinions
you care about are from the 12 juro
Unfortunately, these 12 foolish peop1
declare the defendant "not guilty" and
it feels like you lost your son all over
again.
And despite the terrible pain, you
have a family and a life. You must
carry on. But how?
For Fred Goldman, this was not a
distant scenario - it has been his life
for nearly three years. Despite the hor-
rible tragedy that struck his family !
June 1994, when Ron Goldman and
Nicole Brown Simpson were found
murdered, Fred has summoned the
courage and sense of purpose to con-
tinue with life. His will to survive and
improve a judicial system that let hii
down is remarkable.
In fact, Fred has come to embody a
90s-style American hero. He is emo-
tional in public, yet he is not unrea-
sonable in his demands. He is famil
minded and civil. He understands tr
suffering, but does not let it deter him
from accomplishing his goals. We all
can learn from his story.
Throughout the criminal trial, Fred
never let the public forget who the real
victims were: his son and Nicole. The
defense tried to paint O.J. as a victim
of a police conspiracy, but Fred,-
through his frequent press confer-
ences, articulated the voice of reas*
and outrage - he, like most-
Americans, believed O.J. was a "mur-
derer" who "butchered" his son.
When the trial was over, it became
fashionable to bash the prosecution for
its incompetence. Although he had
more of a right than anybody,
Goldman did not jump on the band-
wagon; instead, he supported the pub-
lic servants who fought for justice.
This was a noble action, one th t
reveals integrity.
Instead of giving up, Fred immedi-
ately began to prepare for the civil
trial. Although some felt he should
have dropped the case, Fred did the
right thing. He believed in his gut that
O.J. was the murderer and that evil
people should be held accountable for
their evil actions.
When the civil jury found O.J. liable,
Fred breathed a sigh of relief; he fink
ly had closure. The jury decided
award the Goldmans millions of dol-
lars for Ron's death.
But Fred, from the beginning, said
he was not in it for the money. He
demonstrated this with a touch of class
recently when he offered to let O.J.
keep the money if the ex-athlete would
publish a signed confession for the
double homicide. Again, Fred demon-
strated that he is a man of principle
and integrity, values that today's pub
figures often lack.
Fred's crusade did not end with the
civil trial. He recently quit his job of
more than 30 years to become a
spokesman for Safe Streets, an interest
group dedicated to fixing the criminal
justice system. Even in the face of
tragedy, Goldman has kept true to his
ideals.
This past Monday, Fred and his farL
ily appeared on CNBC's "Rivera LitW
with Geraldo Rivera. At the end of the
show, Geraldo called Fred a great
father; this label, Geraldo said, is the
greatest accomplishment he can
bestow upon Fred. It was a poignant
moment - Fred, his daughter Kim