4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, February 4, 1998 Ulwe IIid$tan dlg Race issues and all their silly, 0 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan LAURIE MAYK Editor in Chief JACK S+cIILLACI Editorial Page Editor Unless 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 Clever cooperati MSA should work with 'U' administration 'it Is important to understand where people are coming from in order to make the University more productive. Diversity is an untapped resource.' - LSA sophomore Richard Nunn, co-chair of La Voz Mexicana, speaking on Chicano History Week and the need for diversity at the University KAAMRAN HAFEEZAs IT H APPENS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR L ast weekend, the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library remained open for an additional two hours, beginning a new schedule more conducive to the late-night study habits of many University students. The library will remain open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, allowing more students to access the library's extensive resources and quiet study areas during what are, for many students, peak study hours. The success of the Michigan Student Assembly in achieving its goal on this issue sets a new precedent for com- munication and cooperation between University administration and students. From its initial proposal to MSA to its final implementation this past weekend, the project of extending the library's hours has been a model for the mutual benefit of students and administrators. Interim Director of the University Libraries William Gosling's willingness to listen to the students' proposal sets a precedent for administrators to follow. The administration and students set aside their differing viewpoints in order to work for the greater good of University stu- dents. The Office of the Provost is also to be commended for its efforts to cover the cost of additional staffing and security, allowing the students to cut through red tape and accomplish the extension of library hours this semester. The successful extension of Graduate Library hours also sets a standard for MSA to maintain. The assembly is sub- jected to frequent negative criticism of its effectiveness, and this episode of success- ful cooperation with the administration opens new doors for it to fully achieve its intended position as advocates for University students. Individual MSA representatives should follow the lead of the Academic Affairs Commission, which proposed the exten- sion of the library's hours, in making MSA more effective and efficient by working on special projects. If each mem- ber of MSA were to select a project to work on the assembly would accomplish its goals in an efficient manner, thus ben- efiting the student body it represents. But the initiative of student-administration cooperation should also extend to the general student body - individual stu- dents should take it upon themselves to make the University a better learning environment. The immediate benefits of the exten- sion of the library's hours to students are obvious: greater access to resources only found in the Graduate Library and late- night access to one of the best study areas on campus. Yet the hidden benefits - those precedents regarding the coopera- tion between University faculty and stu- dents for the common good created dur- ing the extension project - will prove to be equally important in the future. The administration has displayed a willing- ness to listen to the concerns and com- plaints of students, which, to continue effective and efficient communication, must be preserved. Further, the assumption of individual projects by MSA members is a precedent that will allow MSA to accomplish more that benefits the student body. The chan- nels of communication between the stu- dents and the administration must not close. The extension of the Graduate Library's hours serves as a model of effi- ciency and cooperation that should be fol- lowed in the future. Tax burdens IRS should allow case-by-case analysis A recent ruling by the Internal Revenue Service may lighten the tax burden on university students across the nation. The ruling, Revenue Procedure 98-16, exempts university-employed students from paying the 7.65-percent Federal Insurance Contribution Act tax if the stu- denttakes six or more credits, regardless of the number of hours they work per week. Previously, only one credit was required for the students to be exempt from the tax, but students were limited to 20 hours of tax-exempt work per week. Although the new ruling increases the number of credits required to be exempt from the FICA tax, it is nonetheless bene- ficial to working students. The ruling will return hard-earned money to students nationwide who have jobs with their uni- versities. The previous 20-hour tax-exempt work week was exceeded by many students who work part-time or hold multiple jobs. While the number of credits necessary to be exempt from the tax has been raised, this should not cause problems for most students, since most take more than six credits. Usually, students applying for tax- exempt status attend a university full time, which entails more than six credit hours. The new credit requirement also prevents anyone from enrolling in a one-credit class simply to be exempt from the FICA tax. While the new system brings change to many students at colleges across the coun- try, University students are already exempt from the FICA tax. The University follows regardless of credits or weekly hours or. Students at the University might not feel the repercussions of this new ruling but it could help them nonetheless if they transfer to another school. But not all colleges follow the same guidelines as the University's administra- tion. The new ruling's major accomplish- ment is that it sets a standard guideline for colleges across the nation. While the new system is consistent, it would be better for tax exemption to be determined on a case- by-case basis - some students may have legitimate reasons for taking fewer than six credits while working for their universities, and it is not fair to deny these students tax exemption privileges. A student employed by their school may opt to enroll in fewer classes to ease coursework while working long hours. Students should not be pun- ished for this type of decision. The ruling by the IRS should realize students' needs and provide tax-exempt work without man- dating a unwaivering amount of credits. Judging cases individually would be more beneficial to students in these types of situ- ations. The fact that the new procedure does not take individual situations into account is something that needs to change. But in gen- eral, the ruling is beneficial to students employed by their respective universities. It prevents students who work multiple jobs from facing the burden of the FICA tax along with the responsibilities of classes and jobs. The opportunity to receive a high- er education - even as it grows more expensive - should be eased in as many Article omitted Iraqi suffering TO THE DAILY: In the Jan.29 Daily, there was an article taken from The Washington Post with he headline "US searches for diplomacy in Iraq." Interestingly, after reading the contents of the article, one came to an opposite con- clusion. The United States is planning to renew another bombing campaign against Iraq while entirely rejecting any diplomacy that might alleviate the situation. The "diplomacy" comes in as a way to convince otherwise slavishly devoted allied gov- ernments that what the United States says goes in the Middle East and in the whole world. Left out of this article, and the Daily's coverage of the events in general, is the immense suffering already going on in Iraq as a result of U.N.-imposed (but U.S.-led) sanctions dating back to 1990. The United States and its allies deliberately destroyed the civilian infrastructure of Iraq during the Gulf War - the sanctions prohibit this infrastructure from being rebuilt. According to U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization reports, more tan one million people - more than 500,000 of whom are children - have died from starvation and disease as a direct consequence of these sanctions. Under the "oil for food" deal, Iraq has only received 29 percent of the expected food supply by last May. Given that the U.S. mili- tary is not exactly known for its sensitivity to human life, another military strike would only exaggerate this horror. These omissions do not help to stop (or even help to foster a debate about) the drive toward another military strike against Iraq that will cause even more death and suffering in that country and in the region as a whole. Although entirely pessimistic about the prospect, I hope that the Daily will raise ques- tions about the legality and morality of the United States' intervention in the Middle East as the day draws nearer. AARON STARK LSA SOPHOMORE Humor is needed when facing life TO THE DAILY: I am writing in response to Camille Noe"s letter ("'Bear Bones' objectifies women," 2/2/98). It seemed rather ironic skin color, it is no more acceptable to discriminate against the opinions of sexists and Nazi's than against those of women and African Americans. The hallmark of a truly free society (which I take it Noe is not interested in) is toleration for all opinions, however unpopular they may be. This has the following advantages: If false opinions are expressed, we may publi- cally denounce them with rea- son and thereby both gain a clearer understanding of the "truth" ourselves and convince others that they are in error (as opposed to simply denouncing them and silencing them, which only breeds resentment and hatred). If we are not completely right ourselves (for example, by asserting that all women or men are powerful intelli- gent and dynamic), we gain a more complete understanding of reality by engaging in dis- course with others who dis- agree with us. When we silence others, we deprive ourselves of the truth. Finally, we must realize that what is in question here was a cartoon, not a serious piece of argument denounc- ing women. This was not pro- paganda; to compare it to Nazi campaigns is ridiculous. It was a humorous piece and should be taken as such. We have a choice - we can face life and liberty with a sense of humor, or with a sex or race-conscious prejudice that we express byesilencing oth- ers. To me, the choice seems clear. ERIC MOUTZ LAW SCHOOL Daily cartoon was offtarget TO THE DAILY: The right to unionize is a crucial one and no worker should be penalized for union activity. I write these comments unaware if these important labor rights were violated at the Ann Arbor Borders Books and Music - I do not know the whole story. But I've been their corporate monkey for two years - in both Ann Arbor and Novi --and I have always found their manage- ment to be approachable, professional and mighty easy to please. I think the cartoon "Purple Herring" (1/29/98) is populist and off-target. Never in my time were Borders employees threat- ened or warned against union activity. Most of the employees only became aware of union efforts in Philadelphia through meet- ings with our managers and through daily newsletters the company prominently dis- plays. ness trying to expand its mar- ket. CHRIS MCCREEDY SNRE SENIOR Sorority should allow bus stop construction To THE DAILY: After a truck smashed into the bus shelter at the corner of Washtenaw and South University Avenues, the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority asked permission from the Greek "service" organization Kappa Alpha Theta to build a new shelter on a corner of their property. The answer was a resounding no. The kind gentlemen of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, upon whose property the decimat- ed shelter once stood, gener- ously offered the use of addi- tional space for a new struc- ture. But the sidewalk drops off into the famed "Mud Bowl" and there isn't enough room for a shelter that would comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. More than a year later, there is still no shelter at this bus stop. It's too bad that the sorority is so insensitive to the needs of the community that it's leaving us literally out in the cold. I don't know if their decision was made because they think the shelter will be an eyesore or if they don't wish to attract the type of people (like graduate stu- dents) who ride buses. Regardless, I hope the resi- dents, can soon peer out from their warm rooms with a clear conscience. Their action will surely demonstrate the real underlying principles of their organization. And we'll all be watching. DEANO SMITH MARITZA TAVAREZ RACKHAM SafeHaven review ignores band's music To THE DAILY: I am writing in response to the article written about the band SafeHaven ("SafeHaven fails to provide warm, sonic support," 1/30/98). Is it the Daily's policy to just repeat the lyrics for the majority of the article? Shouldn't a review of a CD talk about the music? The CD has great instrumental interludes, a wide variety of sounds and great lyrics. And what about the band members? Marquina Liev had very few things to say, but when she did related things ll be honest with you. I went to a Michigan Student Assembly meeting to make fun of the whole thing. I thought, rightly so, that a room full of parliamentary half-breeds with prom committee complexes would be inter- esting material for a column. Or at the very least, a relatively fruitful target for I came away from last week's meeting with something much better. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: BAMN. For those of you who don't know .1ME BAMN stands forM& LER "By Any Means MILLER Necessary" and it is ON r AP one of the groups on campus that formed in the wake of recent attacks on affirmative action. Last Tuesday, BAMN sent a small con- tingent to the MSA meeting to express its extreme displeasure with the ballot proposal due to go before the assembly.g It seems an MSA representative pro- posed an amendment that would have asked students if they wanted MSA to lobby the administrationfor the removal of admissions preferences that used race and ethnicity as deciding factors. The BAMN members were not happy and they made sure that MSA knew it. But it was hard to tell just who was unhappy. Every constituent who stood to speak was a member of about three different groups, all with names that sounded like they had been chosen from a hat filled with sliced up copies of the Residential College course guide. Apparently, campaigning for social justice is such an individual thing that they all need to be apart to express their own styles. ("Hey, no fair. We had the 'hey hey, ho ho, racism has got to go' signs first. Get your own Maoist faction!") BAMN members' main beef with the proposal was that they felt such a nega- tively phrased question would bring a more fervent response from affirmative action opponents than it would from their supporters. Which begs the questions: Isn't this a democratic assembly? Shouldn't MSA be as in touch with the students as possible, despite how BAMN, o anyone else, feels about their odds? If Jessica Curtin and the rest of BAMN feel a loss coming, they need to try harder to force their points or admit that majority rules, and not just when the majority shakes their fists at them. If the anti-affirmative action folks had tried to block a ballot issue with such tactics, there would have been a explosion of protest from the other side, and rightfully so. Several MSA members, to their credit, made the point that the mea- sure was just to ask students how they felt about the issue and nothing leg- islatively binding would come of it. The meeting had moments of high comedy, too. In spite of themselves, several of the protesters stumbled over the phrase "race and ethnicity," adding one too many "th" sounds, so instead of sounding like a "Soldier of the People" they sounded more like Sylvester the Cat. One would stand up, focusing on all the women's studies and sociology classes they could, and in the midst of their outrage over racial injustice, drop a line, stutter and sit down amongst the spotty applause. Imagine John F. Kennedy giving his Peace Corps speech on the steps of the Union zipping up his fly and wiping his hands on his jacket, and you have an idea of the anti-climax involved here. When they weren't showing off their rhetorical hops, they were busy shoot- ing themselves in the foot by throwing around the words "racist" and "bigot" Anyone who didn't support affirmative action was a bigot, as was anyone who thought that students should get to decide the matter for themselves rather than letting the BAMN oligarchy do it for us. This is stupid for several reasons. First, since "racist" and "bigot" are insults, when you insult someone who is trying to solve the same problem you are, you tend to make enemies quickly for no good reason. Pretty soon, everyone is either hedging and running for cover or shouting at each other, and nothing gets solved. Second, it's stupid because it seems so tailored for self-gratification. "You don't agree with me, so you're a moral degenerate, and I'm better than you, and 1 ;