4 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, November 18, 1997
tIz £irbigur iag
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
Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Daily editorial board. All
other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily.
FROM THE DAILY
Happy hunting
Housing decisions require some homework
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
'We really wanted to provide education for the students
on both sides of the issue so they can make a wise
decision regarding what stance they would like to take.'
- MSA Minority Affairs Commission chair Kenneth Jones, commenting on this
week's symposium titled 'Affirmative Action 101: Understanding the Controversy
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A s the November days inch closer to
December, chief among student con-
cerns are finals, registration, and for some,
housing. For many students, renting an
apartment or house is their first major,
financial responsibility; therefore they must
take the proper steps to ensure that they
make the best decision.
The first tip to remember is to do the
proper research. Students must make sure
they know what they want in their home
before they look to rent. Just a few topics
for consideration are location, maintenance,
parking availability, and even things such as
the number of bathrooms. Students also
have to prepare themselves so that they
understand exactly what they pay for when
they sign their lease. Not every lease is the
same; some leases require tenants to pay for
heat, water, and electricity while others may
not require the leaseholder to pay the entire
overhead.
A novice in the market for a home may
feel the natural inclination to sign for the
first acceptable place he or she finds. While
the discovery of a potential domicile is
exciting, signing without a thorough inves-
tigation of other houses or apartments can
be.a big mistake. Students should be aware
that the first place might not have the best
price, or the best lease agreement. Shopping
around is a good course of action for any
purchase, and the high cost of housing in
Ann Arbor demands that students follow
this sage advice.
Another consideration for students is
with whom they want to do business. Ann
Arbor has both housing agencies and inde-
pendent landlords. There are advantages to
each; for example, housing agencies may
have a huge selection of places, perhaps
numbering in the hundreds, while an inde-
pendent landlord offers a personal touch
that may not be felt from a large agency.
There are no guarantees as to which option
has the best price or terms of lease.
As one begins to narrow down his or her
choices, he or she should talk to tenants or
neighbors of the buildings under considera-
tion. People who live in or near these build-
ings are an important source of information.
They can give a student their impressions of
the landlord, the required maintenance, and
the temperament of the other tenants.
Students need to consider a place's atmos-
phere in addition to price. While a home
may be affordable, the people one lives with
or the landlord one deals with may make it
too emotionally expensive.
When the time comes to sign the lease,
students should be aware of the length of
time the lease requires. Twelve-month leas-
es are common, which requires students to
pay for more months than necessary for an
eight-month school year. While some stu-
dents stay in town for the summer to work
or take classes, others have obligations that
will require them to leave Ann Arbor. In this
case, a student must arrange to sublet his or
her apartment. Finding a person to sublet -
while trying not to lose too much money -
may be a hassle students do not wish to deal
with.
In short, finding a home is a big step for
students. Renting a first apartment or house
helps one to feel truly independent for the
first time. But a student must make sure that
he or she finds the right place at the right
price to feel the satisfaction of a decision
well made.
On the slide
Decrease in minority
F or the third consecutive year, the num-
ber of minorities who applied to the
University Medical School declined
markedly. Coinciding with a 4.8-percent
decline in the overall number of applica-
tions, the number of minority applicants
dropped 17 percent - more than 3-1/2
times as fast as the overall number of appli-
cations. Though the drops mirror a nation-
wide trend of declining medical school
applications - both from the general appli-
cant pool and specifically from minorities
- the decrease in minority applicants to
the University far outstrips the nation's
average: Nationally, minority applications
fell only 11.1 percent in the wake of an 8.4-
percent c}rop in total applications. While the
University's decline has left actual minority
admissions virtually unaffected this year,
the shortage of minority applications indi-
cate that the Medical School does not
appeal to minorities as well as the medical
institutions of other colleges. The Medical
School must thoroughly investigate its
declining appeal and commit itself to main-
taining diversity among medical school
classes.
As the proportion of underrepresented
minority doctors in the United States fails
to mirror the percentage of the correspond-
ing minority groups in the general popula-
tion, there exists a significant need to estab-
lish and maintain diversity within medical
schools. For example, statistics released
this year reveal that underrepresented
minority groups account for just 12 percent
of medical school enrollment, although
they are 21 percent of the population. The
national enrollment percentage for blacks
equals only 50 percent of their representa-
apps indicates trouble
nic heterogeneity proves important in that
diverse medical schools contribute strongly
to doctors' adeptness at addressing the con-
cerns of patients of all ethnic and racial
backgrounds. As declining applications and
a potential shift in admissions policies
threaten to eliminate this real-life compo-
nent of medical education, University
Medical School officials should intensify
their investigation of recruitment policies.
Though some Medical School representa-
tives argue that the drop lacks significance
because of the corresponding drop in over-
all applications, the institution should
investigate its current situation to avert
larger - or even equivalent - declines in
the future.
To its credit, the Medical School has
already begun taking steps toward fostering
diversity and a minority-friendly climate.
The impetus for its recent actions came in
1996 when the results of a cultural diversi-
ty assessment revealed that minority stu-
dents and faculty did not feel welcome at
the University's Medical School. In fact, 95
percent of black students said they wouldn't
stay at the Medical School if they were
offered a position elsewhere. Latino/as and
Native Americans, too, expressed a general
dissatisfaction with the environment. In the
wake of the findings, the school established
a Diversity and Career Development Center
in tandem with a mentorship program.
Generally designated as one of the
nation's top medical institutions, the
University Medical School should take note
of its failing efforts and expand its current
programs to ensure that students of all eth-
nic and racial backgrounds will seek out
and enjoy the high-quality education it
Thanks for
Islam week
coverage
TO THE DAILY:
I must say 1 was very
impressed with the front page
coverage of the Islam
Awareness Week events
("Muslim Women Address
Myths," 11/12/97).
With all the negative
media about Islam and
Muslims it's refreshing and
something to be commended
when the truth about Islam
and Muslims is addressed in
a very straightforward man-
ner - that is, that Islam and
Muslims are not predomi-
nantly terrorists.
I think I speak on behalf
of all conscious Muslims on
campus when I say thanks for
your positive acknowledg-
ment of a very informative
lecture that truly did unveil
the myths about Muslim
women.
SAIRAH SAEED
LSA SOPHOMORE
Campaign
'hoopla'
detracts from
real issues
TO THE DAILY:
Once again our twice
yearly case of indigestion has
arrivedsonethe campus, name-
ly the elections for our vari-
ous student governments.
What vexes me is not the
inane issues that are present-
ed year aftertyear, the regu-
lar daily reports on the elec-
tions speaking to a mass of
very disinterested students,
or even the pollsters calling
out to you to vote as hun-
dreds of students pass by the
polls with complete disinter-
est.
No, the real annoyance is
the actual campaign signs
and hoopla that goes on each
election, all the glaring
signs, posters screaming for
attention and election day
the candidates doing every-
thing possible to get your
vote.
A particular example of
this was found last year,
wherethe Michigan Party
had a gentleman outside the
fishbowl dressed like a
large can of beer, calling
out "A vote for Michigan is
a vote for beer." Cute, irri-
tating enough to almost
make a voter go in and cast
a ballot just to get rid of
annoyance, but I digress. As
you walk through Angell
Hall, or the MLB, or to a
lesser degree any other
campus building, you will
see the clutter of the cam-
riain everywhere.
them. Hopefully next elec-
tion we can actually walk
through Angell Hall without
being visually bombarded
every time we look any-
where but at our shoes.
EDWARD CHUSID
LSA JUNIOR
U.S. military
deserves our
respect
To THE DAILY:
I would like to say that
the unparalleled ignorance
of Joe Sexauer in his Nov.
12 letter ("U.S. military
actions are 'imperialistic"')
to the Daily absolutely
astounded me. In his absurd
letter he paints a portrait of
our military picking on other
nations. Whether I feel that
the United States is imperi-
alistic is irrelevant. What is
relevant is that in Sexauer's
desperate need for a scape-
goat, he obviously failed to
realize that the U.S. military
takes its orders from the
Commander in Chief, a.k.a.
the president.
That's right, the person
elected by we, the people.
But Sexauer would rather
blame the courageous men
and women who by law have
to follow the orders given to
them by their Commander in
Chief! This is sheer lunacy!
If Sexauer weren't showing
such cowardice then he
would take the blame upon
himself for electing the pres-
ident who orders those so-
called "imperialistic" mili-
tary actions.
In light of what our mili-
tary has done for us, I ask
you all to honor our veterans
and all those within the U.S.
military, for they have taken
an oath to defend each and
every one of us, including
the ingrates like Sexauer.
Take pride in your country
and your military. Hell, the
next time you see a man or
woman ever so proudly
wearing a U.S. military uni-
form thank them, or just
give a friendly smile. Let
them know they are appreci-
ated.
And to those who believe
as Sexauer does, try getting a
clue next time before you
dishonor the courageous men
and women who protect your
freedom. It's amazing to
think that our military would
fight and die to defend such
arrogant and thankless people
like yourselves. But that just
once again demonstrates how
wonderful the United States
of America and its military
really are, and how lucky we
are to be Americans!
Thank you U.S. Armed
Forces, past and present!
RYAN ISMIRLE
LSA SOPHOMORE
agree that the percentage of
eligible voters at the
University who actually exer-
cise their rights is far too low.
That, however, is the extent
of my agreement with Mr.
Bailey.
As I read further, I found
little more than incoherent
thoughts that completely
destroy any semblance of a
solid argumnt. He writes, "I
can forgive :he Ann Arbor
residents. It the students
that I cannot"
Why can me segment of
the populatio be culpable
for a lack of civic responsi-
bility and not mother? If you
are going to inlict one,
indict both! Th Ann Arbor
residents bear m1 equal, if
not greater, resonsibility.
Why? How maiy University
students are going to be pay-
ing increased paperty taxes
out of pocket bcause of the
passage of Propsal A, a
property tax incease for
park maintenane? That's
right! None.
Reading furtler still, I see
that he shifts focs complete-
ly from the evils if low voter
turnout to those c
Republicans in goeral.
While he attemptato make a
respectable argumnt on this
front, he falls shorin two
respects: 1) he resets to
stereotyping and ovrgeneral-
ization and 2) he ha obvi-
ously failed to do hi home-
work.
To start, Bailey fers to
"the racist (yet newl elect-
ed) State Sen. Davidaye
." First of all, whe
Jaye's rhetoric (like tht of
most others) may see
extreme, labeling him s a
racist is in poor taste.
Contrary to popular beef,
not all conservatives ar
racist. Second, and mor
important, Jaye was nevr
elected to the State Sense,
as Bailey states. He wonhe
Republican primary, but;
still representing his con-
stituency in Monroe as it
state representative.
Moreover, "evil tyrants
like Newt Gingrich and the
House Republicans" could
not escape unscathed either.
They were blamed for a
whole litany of government
shortcomings.
True, the lack of voter
turnout in off-year elections
is sad. But perhaps the unin-
formed voter can be equally
dangerous. While it's impor-
tant to get involved, it's
equally important to be
aware.
STEVE COUCH
LSA FIRST-YEAR STUDENT
Land mines
on the Diag?
They mcde
voting esy
noW it spur
turn to ac
T here just aren't any ood exoses
left, with the simple votinpro-
cedure imaginable, it hogs mynind
that so few students ' l \(e in
Michitgan Student Assemt elctions
this week.
And I say that
few students will
vote because that
is just what hap-
pens on this cam-
pus. We are a lot,
of talk when it
comes to politics
and student go-
erment --- it
seems everyone JOyH
has an opinion WHITE
that they would JMPI
just love to share IEGUN
v et no one
takes their chance to actuy have a
say. Abysmal turnout numbs that fell
to less than 8 percent of e student
body just a few years ag began to
recover last year, but the niversity
needs much more than a covery, it
needs resuscitation.
Sure, it is easy to sit backnd whine
that student government dsnt mean
anything, that the peopl who are
involved in MSA ar politico
waimabes who like to rea their own
quotesin the newspaper. is easy to
distance ourselves fret MSA's
processes, and easy to critiize our fel-
low students who are oft cied admin-
istrators of a very large pigy bank. It
is even easier to say that ty don't da
anything - most studentdon't hay:.
any idea what MSA does c even whit
it is.
But MSA does do quit a bit, ani
most of what it actually des involv
an enormous coffer of car mone',
What student groups receiie in terrs
of funding comes straight from te
MSA's Budget Priorities Committe,
and our student governmet has c-
plete control over all of those dci-
sions. In theory, we choose the peole
who make such decisions. We chose
the students who represent our u-
dent body both to the University nd
to the community, as I said befor in
theory.
The problem is that no one shov, up
at the polls. The paper ballo, it
seems, are too much of a burdk for
more than 90 percent of the sident
body. The five minutes it takes) fill
out a ballot of course would beetter
spent watching Oprah or the Crtoon
Network or sitting around on th Diag,
because, as we are fond of saing "I
have better things to do."
Apparently everyone in An Arbor
had better things to do earer this
month when city election came
around as well, students eecially.
What I begin to wonder is were this
apathy builds, and why.
I can understand why stunts may
say that their student govenment is
ineffectual; in reality thereis proba-
bly very little that MSA ca really do
to effect each and every stuent's life.
If a student is not involed in an
MSA-funded group or ifa student
doesn't care how they are r presented,
there may be no reason tocare about
MSA, either. But as the pst ineffec-
tiveness of the assembly s overwrit-
ten by current genuine attempts at
making a difference, MSA's impor-
tance grows and our need for input
increases.
MSAicleaned itself up this year,
dedicating more funds to students
and less to internal administrative
costs. MSA President Michael
Nagrant has been instrumental in
establishing a student coursepack
store that should, if implemented as it
is proposed, alleviate the costs of
coursepacks and give students a visi-
ble and tangible reminder of what
MSA does. Perhaps MSA needs more
projects like this, but to get such pro-
jects we need effective leaders and
representatives.
That's where the student body comes
dn. If the number of voters increases,
tie mandate the candidates receive
bicomes more important. When our
stent government becomes respon-
sibs to all of us and not to just a small
perentage, their actions mean more
and 'ey feel that they have to answer
to allbf us.
Thee are great candidates out
there Aho are running in this week's-
electio, and there will undoubtedly
be woiwhile candidates who will
run for resident and vice president
in the sring. Look past the parties
and the bckering and find those stu-
dents whi want to change things for
the bettermnd who want to leave this
University a better place than they
found it. Itwe find those people and
send them nto office with a strong