4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, November 12, 1997
cIjz Lirbigtnl gi
420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Edited and managed by
students at the
tiniversity of Michigan
JOSHi WHITE
Editor in Chief
ERIN MARSH
Editorial Page Editor
ej(ss 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
A adiPaper dollars
MA candidates should voluntaril limit spending
"NOTABLE QUOTABLE,,
'(DPS is) very concerned when this happens to a mem-
ber of the community. (We will) do whatever we can to
prevent this type of thing from occurring again.'
- Department of Public Safety Spokesperson Elizabeth Hall, in response to the
sexual assault of a University student at Nichols Arboretum yesterday
.JORDAN YOUNG T U EP
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
n a matter of days, the halls of many of
the University's buildings will be
strewn with posters and flyers advertising
candidates for the Michigan Student
Assembly elections. Beside being a bit of a
nuisance to students passing through on
their way to class, the flyers and other
forms of campaigning cost potential repre-
sentatives a lot of money. In an effort to
reduce spending during MSA election sea-
son, the assembly passed a $500 spending
cap last semester. Keeping costs for poten-
tial campus politicians down is a good
Concept, but the assembly has neither the
right nor the ability to enforce the policy.
Between making copies at office-sup-
ply stores and paying for other election
gimmicks such as pizza and food coupons
to hand out on the Diag, getting a seat on
MSA can be financially draining. While
some candidates claim that spending will
help draw students to the polls on Nov. 21
and 22, holding free discussions on assem-
bly -issues could also get candidates' mes-
sages out and inform students about
important election issues.
The assembly should not impose itself
on candidates' finances. While candidates
spending should level off for elections,
MSA should not mandate how students
run their campaigns. One problem is that
incumbent representatives have the inher-
eht advantage of better name recognition.
First-time candidates may have to spend
more to overcome this bias - impossible
if all candidates are required to spend the
same amount.
In addition, it is unlikely that the assem-
bly will be able to enforce its spending
cap. While the assembly can require that
candidates give receipts for items and ser-
vices purchased to the Election Director,
there is no way to ensure that everything is
submitted. A war of accusations could
result as candidates and MSA representa-
tives accuse each other of violating elec-
tion spending dictums.
MSA parties could make monitoring
spending even more difficult for the
Election Director. While parties serve to
give potential representatives an electoral
base to stand behind, party "soft money"
could quickly cause an uneven playing
field between candidates.
While mandatory spending caps are a
bad idea, candidates should voluntary limit
their spending. If some candidates have the
funds to spend thousands of dollars to get
elected, their cash-strapped counterparts
may find themselves with an inherent dis-
advantage. MSA should make sure that
students receive representation from the
best people available from the student
body, regardless of financial ability. If
assembly candidates spend as much money
as they want, they could price democracy
beyond the means of many good potential
representatives.
While next week students will see
multi-colored paper cluttering walls all
over campus, it will also cause a serious
financial drain for some students vying for
office. As election gimmicks run rampant,
students that have strong representative
abilities but limp wallets may not be on
equal footing with those who have cash to
spare. MSA representatives and candi-
dates should ensure that a large checking
account does not become a prerequisite
for office by voluntarily keeping their
spending within the reach of average stu-
dents.
Fostering diversity
U' program promotes
p resident Bill Clinton recently recog-
nized University efforts to build
bridges within its diverse student body.
The University's Program on Intergroup
Relations, Conflicts and Comunity was
one of only two college programs nation-
wide to enjoy presidential attention. With
class registration starting later this month,
students should strongly consider includ-
ing an IGRCC or similar course that pro-
motes cultural exploration and understand-
ing.
The University offers many courses on
topics such as race, religion, ethnicity,
gender, sexual orientation and discrimina-
tion. The race and ethnicity requirement,
instituted in the fall of 1991, requires all
students to receive credit in at least one of
these courses to graduate.
The requirement is a noble effort on the
part of University faculty and administra-
tors But the University cannot not be sat-
isfied with the status quo. In its current
fom, the R and E requirement does not do
enough to promote diversity - many stu-
dents are able to take courses that fulfill
the requirement without truly expanding
their cultural awareness.
Courses such as those President Clinton
highlighted, as a part of his year long
Initiative On Race, are more in the spirit of
the race and ethnicity requirement. The
University's intergroup relations courses
are small group sessions focusing on dia-
logue. These courses encourage people to
consider the United States' diverse nature,
so they can expose themselves to thoughts
and opinions they otherwise might not
consider.
cultural understanding
ties to learn about different cultural back-
grounds and modes of thinking. But class-
es are not the only way to engage in such
pursuits. The IGRCC program sponsors
seminars throughout the year on diversity
questions. In addition, many groups on
campus, such as UAC and Hillel, hold pro-
grams on race relations and related topics
several times each term. Donating a few
hours in pursuit of a greater understanding
can prove to be a rewarding activity.
The nation has made significant strides,
but racism is still a powerful societal force.
Since racism and other forms of discrimi-
nation are such colossal problems, people
sometimes choose to ignore them - tak-
ing a certain defeatist attitude. However,
programs such as the IGRCC prove that, as
White House staffer David Chai says,
"There are successful programs out there."
The president's lauding of a University
program that deals effectively with the
issue of diversity comes at a pivotal time.
Discrimination is a hot topic on campus,
due to the recent lawsuit launched against
the University regarding alleged discrimi-
natory practices in the University's admis-
sions policies. By taking an IGRCC
course, students can form opinions with a
much clearer view of the issues, and a
much deeper understanding of themselves
and others.
Students should take advantage of a
program that effectively confronts and
combats racism and other forms of dis-
crimination. By showing enthusiasm for
these courses and engaging in intelligent
discourse on diversity questions, students
will be better prepared to prosper in
U.S. military
actions are
'imperialistic'
TO THE DAILY:
The ultra-nationalistic
zeal expressed by Josh
White in his Nov. 4 column
("Respect the military for
the peace of mind it allows
all of us") upholds the
media-created image of a
benevolent U.S. military
power and its interests
abroad.
Above all, White's col-
umn is exclusionary. He
pays homage to the mili-
tary's protecting "the one
thing we all have in com-
mon," that "we are all
Americans." The University
attracts large numbers of
international students every
year. This disproves White's
claim that this is "the one
thing we all have in com-
mon.
White still fondly recalls
the "Be All You Can Be"
military advertisements of
the 80s. Apparently White
does not recall the U.S. inva-
sions of various Latin
American countries such as
Nicaragua, Grenada and
Panama during the 80s.
This information is not to
be found in either the con-
fines of mainstream media
or in White's article.
However, as editor in chief, I
would expect White to have
objectively researched U.S.
foreign policy before singing
the military's praises. To
ignore the truth of U.S. mili-
tary actions is nothing less
than moral cowardice.
However, White is cor-
rect in stating that our armed
forces protect "our inter-
ests." It allows us to fly the
American flag in five bases
surrounding the Persian
Gulf. Perhaps White should
consider what exactly our
interests are. If China had
five bases in the Persian
Gulf, I assume that White
would (correctly) condemn
the Chinese for their imperi-
alism, instead of calling
their military acts "protec-
tion of their interests." Not
to hold the same standard to
U.S. interests is sheer
hypocrisy.
JOE SEXAUER
LSA SOPHOMORE
Affirmative
action is
'absurd'
To THE DAILY:
The University makes a
point to diversify its student
body, and with this I strong-
ly agree. By giving prefer-
ence to the less advantaged
it ensures that everyone is
given a chance. Despite my
to make a larger, more sig-
nificant point. I do not think
that any student at the
University would be happy if
I had dressed for the game
against Penn State. It comes
down to the simple fact that
I am not qualified. I do not
have the skills to compete
with some of the finest ath-
letes in the nation.
My point now seems clear
in that affirmative action
policies, which use lower
standards to aid the less
advantaged in admission, are
absurd. If a student is not
qualified to be here, then he
should not be here. The fact
that I do not meet any of the
requirements to play
Michigan football should not
be overlooked solely because
I am at a disadvantage in my
size and skill level.
The same principles ought
to apply to admissions. If a
person does not meet the
same requirements that
everyone else must face, then
he has no place at this
University.
KEVIN CAVAUERI
LSA JUNIOR
Article on 'U'
professor is
'one-sided'
To THE DAILY:
In reading Stephanie
Hepburn's article "U' prof.
faces trial on charges of
improperly interviewing a
child" (11/4/97), I am left
with one critical question:
Why are Professor Kathleen
Coulborn Faller's views not
represented in the article?
The prosecuting attorney,
Demosthenes Lorandos, is
quoted extensively. Moreover,
outside sources affiliated
with previous cases in which
Faller was sued are quoted at
length.
In fact, all substantive
quotes in Hepburn's article
give weight to the prosecu-
tion. Because it is framed in
this manner, Hepburn's arti-
cle is extremely one-sided
and biased. While Hepburn
indicates that Faller's attorney
declined to comment on the
specifics of the case, no such
statement is made on behalf
of Faller herself. Such one-
sided commentaries are
meant for the editorial sec-
tion, not the news section.
Accurate and fairrepre-
sentations of court cases are
especially critical in cases of
sexual abuse because of their
complex nature. In addition,
a case such as this one has
far-reaching implications for
professionals and survivors
alike, in that it could set a
precedent that not only bars
helping professionals from
the immunity they are sup-
posed to receive but also
underscores the tremendous
Marrow
donation is
not painful
To THE DAIL:
The Daily editorial on
Nov. 10 ("The gift of life")
described marrow harvest as
"a difficult operation."
Actually, it is a simple, safe
operative procedure - more
than 18,000 have been per-
formed. In fact, a syringe,
not scalpel, is used. The pro-
cedure does not require a
three-day hospital stay. In
Ann Arbor, marrow donation
is an outpatient procedure -
patients typically enter and
leave the hospital the same
day.
Additionally, the editorial
perpetuates a common mis-
conception: "marrow dona-
tion is a painful procedure."
Because of anesthesia, the
process itself is not painful.
In fact, patients are given the
option of being asleep during
the procedure.
Furthermore, in the near
future marrow harvest may
be done by apheresis - a
process in which the key ele-
ments are harvested not from
bone, but rather from a blood
vein.
"Does it hurt? Is it safe?"
These are questions we all
have. Perhaps they contribute
to why there is a need for
minorities to register. In
truth, most donors have little
trouble with the physical dis-
comforts of the process. The
residual soreness has been
likened to "a bruise from a
fall on ice." If anything, it is
the emotional aspects which
may prove difficult. Even
though marrow regenerates
quickly like blood, voluntari-
ly giving up a part of oneself
sometimes causes surprising
emotions.
In general, the public, and
perhaps the Daily editorial,
overestimate the physical dis-
comforts involved with the
process. However, in terms of
addressing the need for
minority marrow registration
and emphasizing the possibil-
ity of giving a recipient the
gift of life, the Daily is right
on target.
ERIc HUANG
MINORITY MARROW DONOR
COALITION
Papers should
exchange
editorials
To THE DAILY:
As a recent graduate of
the University, I used to anx-
iously anticipate the swap-
ping of chest-pounding stu-
dent paper editorials with the
competing school before a
big football game. The
The truth about
internships'
disappointment
is inevitable
I n the modern age of college educa-
ltion, the line between upperclass-
men and underclassmen has become
almost invisible, with the freshme
still being easily identifiable to the
casual observer.
More and more,
students are taking
semesters and
years off to pursue
other interests or
taking fewer class-
es per term to
accommodate
such interests.
It also happens
that the priggishJAMES
and usually sense- MILLER
less required MILLE
courses make a ON TAP
four-years -and
out strategy impossible, no matter how
desirable it may be. As all this hap-
pens, the traditional terns of sopho-
more, junior and senior lose their def-
inition and people of all ages arei
different stages of their educations a
different times.
The one area, however, where the
difference between an old hand and a
greenhorn is brightly clear is summer
plans. People in the twilight years of
undergraduate education devote huge
chunks of their brains to where they
are going to spend their summers.
Paid or unpaid? In this field or that
field? Home or away? Joe job or
resume builder? The young'uns may
be able to pick their summer avocation
on the basis of whether or not showing
up drunk is readily noticed by your
superiors, but the geezers have to be a
bit more stringent.
Do all of you remember what High
School Bullshit smells like? Let me
give you a hint. "You know, that typ-
ing class will really help you get into
college" "I'd study a little bit harder,
mister! Do you think you'll be able t
get into a good school if they see you
got a 'C' on a calculus quiz?" The
people who told you that every deci-
sion you made in high school, short
of clothing and prom date selections,
would have an awesome and defini-
tive effect on your college (if you get
into one), your career and the general
quality of your life, are at it again.
"You know, interning is a great way
to get your foot in the door at a com-
pany."
You bet! Having a building full of
people treat you like something they
blew out of their nose for the unpar-
donable sin of not being older than
30, with a lot of experience obtained
from God knows where; that sounds
great.
This is an open question for anyone
who has ever been a summer intern
anywhere: Is it ever a positive experi-4
ence? Have you ever heard anyone
say this?: "Yeah, interning at Norbert,
Booblick and Felch was the greatest
thing I ever did. I got to do all kinds
of work that actually required me to
use my brain and my education. They
really made me feel valuable, wanted
and successful. They offered me a job
after graduation. Everything's coming
up roses!"
No, you don't. How about this:
"Yeah, it sucked. I lost money sublet-4
tigmy apartment. The only place I
could afford that was on the bus line to
work was condemned by H UD the day
after I moved out. I fetched coffee,
filed things and put up with snide
remarks and condescending attitudes
for the enormous personal privilege of
working for a brain-dead, fat broad
who made four times as much as me,
took two-hour lunches and hadn't been
laid since Christ was a corporal"
They said they weren't looking to
hire anyone just of college, with the
Assistant Coordinating Project
Manager of Communications,
Community Services, Multi-Media
Initiatives getting a 20 percent raise
and all. But they said I could come
back next summer and work in the
Whipping Boy division again. Have
you seen my business school applica-
tion anywhere?
Ask anybody over thirty..Any skills
they learned that relate to their career,
or any contacts they made that got
them into their said career were
obtained after graduation and have
nothing to do with their college expe-
riences.
So stop letting them lie to you. I'm a
liberal arts major with little practical
career experience. Despite my better
judgment, I can't shake the feeling that
anyone in charge of hiring summer
interns or (God forbid) actual paid
employees will hire me for anything
except eating shit and asking for sec-
onds. Unless the fields of
Complaining, Venting and Reading
Books suddenly experience a renais-
sance and stew-un in base nay. I'm pet-
0
r
h
D
I
I I