4A - The Michigan Daily - Monday, April 14, 1997
e £Dtr7iig Dig
420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Edited and managed by
students at the
University of Michigan
JOSH WHITE
Editor in Chief
ERIN MARSH
Editorial Page Editor
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
'I think this Institution Is passionately
devoted to equality.'
- University Vice President for Student Affairs Maureen Hartford, at a
meeting with members from Latinas y Latinos Unidos for Change
It's midnight,
it'sfinals time
- and you 're
1
Undess 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
FROM THE DAILY
Daefaatin coh 'stdents
Stae appropriation could help 'U' students
.. . -. .. w li.lJ L u r
W hen it votes to increase tuition every
July, the University Board of
Regents makes students' budgets a little
tighter and parents' retirement plans a little
further away. State appropriations play a big
role in determining how great the annual
tuition increases are. The past week was full
of discussion among the State House and
Senate about how much state universities
will receive for fiscal year 1998. Gov. John
Engler proposed a 2.5-percent increase over
last year's appropriation - a figure that
many representatives and senators want to
augment. The legislature should work to
increase the appropriation to keep tuition at
state universities from skyrocketing to pro-
hibitive levels.
Debate in the House and Senate Higher
Education Appropriations Subcommittees
last week focused on the increase. The two
subcommittees will discuss the matter indi-
vidually and include it as part of the state's
budget. Upon passage by both houses, a
special committee will work out the differ-
ences in the two versions of the budget. The
state's economic health presently shows a
surplus of funds that the state could divert
to education. Doing so could make the
higher education appropriation beneficial to
students and expedite passage of the
already delayed budget.
Sen. Jon Cisky (R-Saginaw) said, "If
we're ever going to expect universities to
control their tuition, we need to keep their
increases to the cost of living." In past
years, the University's tuition tended to
increase at a rate greater than inflation.
Engler's initial appropriations proposal for
Empty
Students should join
O n May 28th, Gov. John Engler will
receive a message in the form of
50,000 empty bowls on the State Capitol
steps. The bowls represent the estimated
number of Michigan residents affected by
Engler's steadfast refusal to request a food-
stamp waiver from new welfare reform
laws, which took effect last month. As of
March 1, all childless, able-bodied food-
stamp recipients found their eligibility sud-
denly reduced to only three months out of
any three-year period, victims of the "three
in 36 (months)" rule.
The new laws are not absolute. Those
citizens able to find part-time work -
defined as 20 hours per week - or perform
volunteer work remain eligible for food-
stamp assistance. However, those who can-
not find work might find themselves job-
less without a safety net.
In passing the 1996 Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity
Reconciliation Act, Congress did not pro-
pose to withdraw all supportive measures.
from the one million able-bodied
Americans unable to gain employment.
While the Republican sponsors referred to
pearly non-existent and woefully under-
funded "workfare" programs last year,
Congress included provisions for certain
waivers. One such clause calls for the
shelving of the "three in 36" rule in areas
with a labor surplus. In these localities,
being jobless does not necessarily translate
to not wanting to work. Rather, the sheer
number of available workers overwhelms
the number of open positions.
For these communities - which exist in
all but two states -relief from food-stamp
restrictions is only a gubernatorial request
away. In Michigan, 50,000 residents face
next year was below inflation and could
make large tuition increases more likely -
potentially blocking some students' access
to higher education.
Discussion among the appropriations
subcommittees last week leaned toward
augmenting the appropriation by either 3.5-
or 4.5-percent to better compensate for
inflation. Engler's 2.5-percent increase
would help, but using inflation as a guide
would increase the appropriation's impact.
When they sit down to determine next
year's tuition, the regents should work to
keep increases in line with inflation - espe-
cially if the state augments appropriations.
Increasing tuition above the rate of inflation
could prevent qualified students from having
access. to the University's educational
resources. The loss of such students could
threaten the University's academic reputa-
tion. It behooves the regents to keep tuition
increases manageable to maintain the
strength and diversity of the student body.
The financial burden of attending the
University is great - especially when
tuition costs increase without bounds. The
state legislature has the power to aid stu-
dents attending public universities across
the state by making a significant appropria-
tions boost. Compensating for inflation by
increasing allocations could remove a bur-
den from students' shoulders.
State universities' ability to maintain
their academic strength relies on recruiting
high-quality students - the legislature and
the regents must maintain educational qual-
ity by doing what they can to keep costs
within students' means.
bowls
effort against hunger
surplus areas. Around the United States, 40
governors have already requested the
waivers - which bring in federal dollars to
pay for the continued assistance - for such
communities in their states. But Engler per-
sists in refusing to provide this humanitari-
an gesture.
In response, the Bertha Capen Reynolds
Society - with a local branch based in the
University's School of Social Work - has
planned a protest/rally in Lansing in late
May. Its goal is to deliver 50,000 empty
bowls to Engler - one for each Michigan
resident affected by the "three in 36" rule.
To accomplish this, the group has
planned a series of bowl drives. The first
begins today and runs through Wednesday
on the Diag. There, students can donate
bowls, or "sponsor" bowls with any dona-
tion. In addition, students can autograph
their bowls as a way of personalizing their
message to the governor. A second bowl
drive, targeting the entire Ann Arbor com-
munity, is planned for May 10.
University students should support the
drive and join the rally as a pro-active
demonstration against hunger. Welfare
reform is a hot political subject that pro-
duces many extreme solutions. The food-
stamp program is often a target of reform-
ers who claim widespread abuses within the
system. However, while some recipients do
require extended support, 75 percent leave
the food-stamp program within nine
months. And in communities where work is
not available, despite the best efforts of the
unemployed, food stamps are often a cru-
cial form of assistance.
Engler must request the waiver from the
punitive "three in 36" rule. Requesting the
waiver is not a surrender to the federal
APE cM1APL'ATIO2 ! U
L E T H D
ii --" .*
LETTERS To THE EDITOR
4-
Ajo
A44E5- 0 1
Reasons for
office move
are 'weak'
To THE DAILY:
If University President
Lee Bollinger's plan is to
move into an existing build-
ing on central campus, I have
no problem supporting the
move. The reasons behind the
move are rather weak though.
The Fleming Building is
right behind the Union.
While it may be true that it is
fairly ugly, I don't feel that it
is remote or far removed
from the campus.
However, I wonder
whether the actual plan is to
build another administration
building. The idea of doing
that just to move a block, or
because the old building has
an unappealing appearance is
a total waste of money.
I would question whether
the real motivation is envy
over the brand new
Engineering Administration
Building.
TIM STRONG
RACKHAM
Cummings
contradicted
himself in pro-
wait letter
To THE DAILY:
After reading Ian
Cummings' letter ("Waiting
period gives time for real
choice," 4/9/97), 1 feel com-
pelled to respond. He feels a
one-day waiting period for
abortion is good. He even
says a week would be even
better. I'm surprised he does-
n't go as far as tosy that
women should wait a full
nine months before coming
to this major decision.
He states that women may
have abortions because of
feelings of "not being able to
take it anymore." But in his
very next sentence, he admits
that he doesn't "think anyone
comes to a decision like that
suddenly' I'm a little con-
fused here. If no one comes
to the decision suddenly, then
what are the chances of a
woman having an abortion
because of these feelingsof
"not being able to take it any-
more?" Also, what is the
point of the mandatory one
day waiting period then? Is it
simply a way of telling
women, "Okay, you've spent
many weeks, even months
evaluating your situation.
But, in order for us to really
take you seriously, you need
to go home, try to get ahold
of your boyfriend, and pro-
long your misery and pain
for one more day All rght
who couldn't possibly afford
another child. Above all, an
abortion is much better than
an unwanted child. Haunting
stories of babies being left in
dumpsters or being physical-
ly abused are reported in
newspapers and on television
newscasts every week it
seems. Abortion is an option
to help prevent such abuse.
Lastly, I don't see how
anyone can compare a waiting
period for buying a gun to the
waiting period for abortion.
The waiting period for guns is
there to do background
checks on applicants. The
waiting period for abortion is
there for who knows why.
May I add that it was with
a touch of grace that
Cummings ended his letter.
I'm sure I'll see him in
church this Sunday.
CORY SCHROEDER
ENGINEERING SOPHOMORE
Hayden is
not the only
noteworthy
'U' alumnus
To THE DAILY:
I am puzzled as to why
the headline of the Daily arti-
cle concerning the recent Los
Angeles mayoral elections
reads "'U' alum, activist
loses bid for L.A. mayor"
instead of"U' alum wins re-
election bid for L.A. mayor"
(4/10/97).
You see, Mayor Richard
Riordan graduated from the
University of Michigan Law
School in 1956, becoming a
very successful lawyer and
venture capitalist before his
involvement in city govern-
ment.
To his credit, he has also
donated millions of dollars
to educational charities,
funding computer labs all
over the country and making
child literacy a personal cru-
sade.
While I can understand
that Sen. Tom Hayden's los-
ing mayoral bid may provoke
a sense of bereavement for
many University students
(especially for those who
work for the Daily, those who
long for the days of '60s-
style activism, or those who
just think he and Jane Fonda
made a great couple), I do
not believe that Mayor
Riordan's ties and contribu-
tions to the University should
be overlooked.
DAVID VALECK
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION
Elkins, not
Miller, has
facts wrong
To THE DAILY:
I am writing in response to
Patrick Elkins' assertion that
"Miller's facts are wrong"
(4/11/97). 1 am not writing to
debate whether Newt
Gingrich is a slimy toad or a
not-so-slimy toad, nor am I
concerned with whether we
should comfort or chastise
him for'joining the ignorant
side of the force. Instead, I
wish to address two of Elkins'
ideas.
Elkins' notion that
because Gingrich is from
Georgia, his district must be
poor is problematic for many
reasons. In the context of this
letter, the most important of
these problems is claim that
Marietta, Ga. is "far from the
homes of the bloated and
greedy." It is not Miller, but
Elkins who told a "blatant
lie." Until a few years ago,
Marietta, Ga. was home of
Martin Marietta, the aero-
space giant. ,Recently,
Lockheedbought Martin
Marietta and merged to form
Lockheed Martin. Now, I love
Lockheed - it is responsible
for the SR-71, the F-i17 and
the P-48 - but as long as its
aeronautical systems division
in Marietta continues to profit
from contracts like that for
the F-22, we can hardly con-
sider it "poor"
The second notion I wish
to address is not originally
Elkins,' but is instead one
cited again and again by
Republicans. Now, I can
somewhat tolerate
Republicans when they're not
burning stuff (crosses, books,
etc.), but when they claim in
public forums that they
shouldn't need to pay taxes, I
get riled. Even if one is confi-
dent one could get by without
roads, police, national securi-
ty, funding for the University
and all other government ser-
vices, they are still forgetting
something. In this country we
try to maintain a low unem-
ployment rate. This is to
allow people to move from
job to job and generally
improve the job market; it is a
pretty good idea. As long as
those of us with jobs are
helped by the existence of
those of us without, though,
we owe it to the people with-
out jobs to pay for welfare
and unemployment services
We cannot selfishly refuse to
pay what we owe.
Finally, I'd like to note
that normally only one para-
graph in a letter begins with
"finally."
JOHN WAMBAUGH
LSA SOPHOMORE
A To 1
due for afix
Y our hands are shaking. Your eye-
lids are drooping.
Clumsily, you pull change from yoj
pocket and count it, hoping it will be
enough to finance your fix.
You need caf-
feine. r
It's not like
you would casu-
ally like some
pop, or tea, or
coffee. Or you
have a taste for
something to
drink.
You need caf-
feine MEGAN
Caffeine is the SCHIMPF
sweet nectar of PRESCRIPTIONS
the gods and stu -_______
dents everywhere at the end of the
term. It is the savior of many a long
night and many a next morning. It is
more valuable than gold and, in some
cases, more valuable than findin
exactly the right answer to the questio
at hand.
It even has different flavors. Dr.
Pepper recommends that for that jolt
awake or the surge of energy, not to go
up a mountain or do some coke, but to
sip tea or coffee. Or perhaps some
Water Joe, testament to the fact that
water-bottle drinking may have gone
too far.
In the next three weeks, the roller-
coaster of exams will take us throu
the ups and downs of determining
almost your entire grade point average
at once, complete with all-night study
sessions, term papers that are to
emerge from stacks of research, group
projects and piles of busy work. Even
filling in those little bubbles on course
evaluations can be difficult after a
week without sleep.
What makes caffeine so wonderfull
delectable after the sun goes d
The sweet zing of energy that gets you
through the next two pages in a zip.
The power to stay one step ahead of
Mr. Sandman. The creativity to see the
beauty in a sunrise.
And then you wake up and grip that
mug with all the determination of a
morphine addict who has just been
admitted to a pain ward. This is what
will clear that all-nighter fog from
your head, open your eyes
straighten out your steps enough so
you can actually walk to class. This is
what will enable you to figure out
what the lecture is on and to decide if
it's worth staying awake for. This is
what will make you cheery (enough)
to carry on a conversation.
You need caffeine.
This is what will make you human
again.
It is the joy of every poor soul wi
an 8 a.m. class. It is the narcotic o
every night person who is forced to
function before noon.
Sleep is overrated. The eight-hour
night is a dream dangling before us,
the elusive nirvana we have been told
about but will never reach (phenobar-
bital and applesauce notwithstand-
ing).
The amount of sleep we get has been
correlated with our stress level. Th
amount of stress we perceive
inversely correlated to the amount of
sleep we get. And some genius even
did a study to discover that students
sleep more on the weekends and
(strangely) less as the semester pro-
gresses.
Sleep also relates to the quality of
food a person eats - less sleep, small-
er meals and snacks. What' taking up
that extra dietary space? Caffeine, c01
tainly.
Caffeine does a body good. It's for
when you deserve a break today. It
could even be what's for dinner. Your
way, right away. Absolute awake.
Quick surgeon general's warning:
Caffeine increases blood pressure,
cholesterol and anxiety levels.
Pregnant women should avoid it, and
quitting now could save your life.
But you knew that, right? And yo
don't really care, because you have
15-to-20-page term paper due every
day this week. And a presentation, and
an exam or two tossed in, just for good
measure. Talk about increased anxiety
levels.
So that's why your hands are shaking
and your head is hurting, and you can't
really tell if you've had too much caf-
feine or not enough. A hint: always err
on the too-much side.
You need caffeine.
I know people who measure their
stress in terms of how many cans of
Coke they drink in a day. Others say it
would just be easier to set up an IV.
Caffeine is a drug and it is addictive.
Just ask anyone in the line at any cof-
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WHAT'S AFFECnNG 'U THIS WEEK
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