. .
4 - The Michigan Daily - Friday, January 9, 1998
ig e ll ck Ygtttt J)U7[
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 s editorial board. All
other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily.
FROM THE DAILY
Tainted celebration
Ticket lottery prevents fans' participation
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
'For how I do my job, having a seat at the table doesn't
really change the way I work ... the change comes
in the way the office is perceived.'
- Interim General Counsel Elizabeth Barry on University President Bollinger
invitation to join the executive officers at the University Board of Regents 'table
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\VIET TRiS T AHEElOI CH1IAIPJO4SHIPP
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
or the first time in 50 years, the
F University community is celebrating a
football team returning to Ann Arbor with a
national championship title. Many students,
faculty and staff want to celebrate
Michigan's victory in the Rose Bowl. In
response, the University arranged a pep
rally on Sunday with the football players,
coaches and the marching band. But a
flawed mechanism for distributing tickets to
the rally will deny hordes of student fans
the ability to attend the event. The Athletic
Department has done its fans a disservice
by denying many access to something in
which the entire campus should take part.
But this is not the first time the Athletic
Department has solved logistical problems
by cutting into student space. At the begin-
ning of the football season, many first-year
students found themselves with split-season
tickets - preventing them from attending
home games other ticket holders saw. This
band-aid tactic did not solve the underlying
p-oblem but penalized first-year students.
The rally will be held in Crisler Arena.
Since the arena holds only 13,000 people,
student seating is limited to 7,000. Rather
than exploring the possibilities of a rally in
Michigan Stadium or another venue, the
Athletic Department limited student access
to the rally by holding it in such a small
forum.
To determine which students can attend
the event, the Athletic Department held a
lottery between all student season-ticket
holders. Students can check the Web site
http://www.umich.edu/~mgoblue/peprally
to determine whether they will receive tick-
ets. On Saturday morning, the department
will distribute unclaimed tickets at Cliff
Keen Arena.
The lottery is fundamentally flawed, as it
fails to take into account which students
actually have an interest in attending the
rally. Some students often sell their tickets
and might not care as much as others about
the football team's success. Further, some
students who could not afford season tickets
may want to go to the rally - but since only
ticket holders even had a chance in the lot-
tery, their lack of funds will prevent them
from celebrating with other student fans.
Senior Associate Athletic Director 'Keith
Molin said that the lottery is the only way to
distribute tickets to students. But for the
Rose Bowl, the department handled ticket
distribution efficiently - having all inter-
ested students wait in line to purchase tick-
ets. Instead of continuing with this system,
the department adopted a mechanism that
would deny tickets to many students while
supplying them to some who may not want
them.
As a result of the Athletic Department's
faulty system, many hard-core Michigan
football fans will not be able to celebrate
with their fellow students on Sunday.
Department officials stated the possibility
of holding a parade to allow all students the
chance to celebrate the victory. The
University should go through with this plan
to make sure that all student fans have a
chance to cheer for the football team. The
victory belongs to the entire University
community - everyone should have the
chance to celebrate.
Affirmative
Family feuds
New court personalizes family lawsuits
n Jan. 1, the beginning of a new year
was not the only cause for celebration.
"Acoss Michigan, counties geared up for a
new division of the circuit court system -
one that places all domestic disputes into
one arena. As of the first of the year, a "one
judge, one family" doctrine will apply in a
new branch of circuit court: the family divi-
sion. During a time of frequent divorce, bit-
ter child custody cases and feverish alimo-
ny suits, the family division is a welcome
change and a necessary effort toward plac-
ing families first.
The primary feature of the division puts
most domestic cases stemming from one
family into the hands of a single judge.
Those cases can include divorce, custody,
alimony, child support, adoption and cases
involving juveniles, among other domestic
matters. This represents a major change
from the old system in which these kinds of
cases were divided between circuit and pro-
bate courts and heard by various judges. By
changing the system, all family cases are
brought together into one court and ideally,
in front of one judge. Not only will this
quicken the judicial process, but it will also
allow private family matters to remain pri-
vate. The state's new family court promises
more personalized and timely service.
Under this family division, judges are able
to make more informed decisions to better
serve the family involved.
Furthermore, judges within the family
division practice in a specialized field and
therefore become more knowledgeable
about family-related issues. As a result, cases
will become personalized and judges can be
more sympathetic and knowledgeable of the
intricate workings of family matters. In addi-
tion. referrals to branches of the state's Youth
parenting, mentoring and skill-building ser-
vices, among others, and has proven to aid
children as well as adults who are involved in
divorce or other troublesome domestic issue.
Even more, having all family matters
within one court will provide an opportunity
for judges to better detect and prevent poten-
tial delinquency of children who are
involved in divorce. Divorce, custody and
child delinquency cases are often related.
Many of them rise out of dysfunctional fam-
ily environments - the child's delinquency
is often related to issues at home. The new
court presents all family matters in front of
one judge who can then decide the best
course of action for the family as a unit -
not simply decide what is best for a parent or
child at any given time.
In addition, the family court aims to
decrease conflicting verdicts between circuit
and probate court cases. Under the old sys-
tem, a family could face a delinquency and a
name change in probate court, while also
facing a divorce in circuit court. Not only
could conflicting verdicts exist, but the pos-
sible root of the problem - the family -
could never be addressed. A complete merg-
er of the two courts cannot go into effect
without an amendment to the state's consti-
tution - the Michigan Supreme Court rec-
ommended passage of such an amendment.
Until then, the family court division will
have to suffice.
Logistical problems do exist, such as
transferring databases, the collection of files
between circuit and probate courts, and the
merging of two separate buildings into one
court, but optimism abounds. The family is
placed first within this new system and the
welfare of all involved is considered fore-
most. Judges. families and the judicial sys-
action should
be phased
out gradually
TO THE DAILY:
Like many other students
at the University, I've been
reading with great interest
the argumentsgand latest
news regarding affirmative
action and our admissions
policies. While the people
who have taken either side of
the issue have offered many
good points, I feel that most
people have lost sight of the
goals and purpose of affirma-
tive action.
Instead of pointing out
possible solutions or ways to
improve the current system
and our society the discus-
sion has focused on its
moral or ethical validity and
specific details. Regardless
of where you stand on the
issue, most people will agree
with the following two
points: Diversity at the
University is a good thing,
and minority groups have
been discriminated against
in the past.
In an ideal world, there
would be no such thing as
discrimination or racism, and
diversity at the University
would happen automatically
without any special interven-
tion regarding admissions
policies. Obviously, we don't
live in an ideal world, but
that doesn't mean we should-
n't work toward one. We
must begin with the end in
mind.
I propose that the current
system of affirmative action
should be phased out over a
50-year time period, and that
the two grids the University
uses for admission decisions
should merge into each other
at a rate of 2 percent every
year.
A 50-year timeline would
avoid many of the problems
now faced by schools that
have completely abolished
affirmative action (homoge-
nous student bodies and tense
racial atmospheres), and
allow enough time for society
to fix the problems that
necessitate the need for it
(racism, poor education sys-
tems at all levels before col-
lege, etc.).
Since the 50-year time
period is approximately the
length of two generations,
this would be more than
sufficient time to "level the
playing field" and allow
certain ethnicities to "catch
up" It would give the
University time to figure
out what "diversity" really
means and to find produc-
tive mechanisms for the
sharing of ideas and cul-
tures. Finally, solutions to
problems of racism and
poor education systems
solutions. Let's as a commu-
nity, work toward the ideals
we all share.
MATTHEW WANG
ENGINEERING SENIOR
Nebraska did
not deserve
No. I ranking
TO THE DAILY:
Only at Michigan would
some students declare that
they believe the "split"
championship to be fair. I
can't believe that any
Wolverine would say that
(let alone being quoted in
the Daily as saying so). If U
of M played teams like the
Akron Zips (I lived in
Akron; trust me, they're
nothing more than a
trumped-up high school
team), we'd have huge victo-
ry margins as well each
game.
U of M fans should take
solace in the fact that
Nebraska had to beg at the
altar of Michigan to
scrounge up four points to
win a poll only in existence
for 7 years while U of M
smashed Nebraska in the all-
important Associated Press
poll. They won the coaches
poll by one first-place vote.
So any Nebraska fan who
tries to tell you that none of
those coaches voted for
Nebraska out of sympathy
for Coach Osborne is delu-
sional. Even a former coach
(but current idiot), ESPN's
Lee Corso, said on national
television in response to the
coaches poll, "I'm not happy
for the Nebraska players,
I'm happy for Tom
Osborne." That should give
you an idea of where those
coaches' minds were during
the vote.
U of M should be No. I
and Nebraska should be No.
2. They can keep the trophy
from Sears; we know who the
better team is.
MARK FLETCHER
UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS
Daily sports
coverage is
excessive
TO THE DAILY:
As a Residential College
and Law School graduate, I
look forward each day to
reading the Daily Online. I
am firmly convinced that the
Daily is one of the preemi-
nent student publications in
the country.
Nevertheless, I am dis-
turbed by the disproportionate
attention the Daily's homepage
dedicates to athletics at
When you dedicate so
much attention to sports, you
perpetuate this phenomenon.
Where is your homepage cov-
erage of our Rhodes Scholar
winner this year? Where is
your homepage coverage of
other academic achievements?
I write this letter to the
Daily not to grind an ax, but
instead out of concern for the
sort of label the Daily places
on the University. Is this the
sort of image for which you
want to be recognized?
MATTHEW HAYEK
UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS
Daily 'blurb'
failed to
reflect GSI's
contributions
TO THE DAILY:
I was saddened by your
weak coverage of the passing
of sociology graduate student
instructor Daniel Glos. Not
only did the tiny page 3 blurb
serve as an injustice, it seems
as though you completely
forgot about the actual man
who Glos was and the way he
contributed to the University.
It is unfortunate that for the
readers of the Daily, he will
be remembered simply as a
man who taught a sociology
class who did not seem to
have any problems, rather
than an active member of the
Graduate Educators'
Organization and a great sup-
porter of affirmative action
policies at the University.
SARAH THANKACHAN
LSA SOPHOMORE
Gilbert and
Sullivan's
style escaped
Ida' reviewer
TO THE DAILY:
I was extremely disap-
pointed with Gerard Cohen-
Vrignaud's critique of the
production of "Princess Ida"
("'Ida"s slow plot, dull music
fail to captivate," 12/8/97).
Cohen-Vrignaud clearly does
not understand the funda-
mental aspects of a Gilbert
and Sullivan Operetta.
He writes, "Leap ...
sounds as if she is singing
opera rather than campy
songs." Cohen fails to under-
stand that an operetta is in
fact an opera, the only differ-
ence being that it is sung in
English and there is dialogue.
The two leads represent the
outstanding reputation of the
Fans beware
whiners can ruin
a unique sports
eventfor all
Right now, I am sure Ann Arbor is
still buzzing with thousands of
anecdotes about trips to Los Angeles,
the Rose Bowl and the excitingly rar.
national championship season - my
stories aren't
much different. In
fact, would bet a
significant
amount of money
that my vacation
photos aren t even
that different. So
instead of rehash-
ing the same
ground about New
Year's Eve parties yPAUL
and how a FHail SERILLA
Mary touchdownbeg shA
pass looks from WAFR
50 rows up in the
end zone, I have a few trivial poiits
about vacations in general.
First off, any anthropologist who
doesn't have a thesis yet should look
into the herd mentality of people .a '
chartered flights and packaged vaca-
tion tours. My package tour came
through the University Alum'ni
Association and was pretty error free;
we got everywhere pretty much on
time, accommodations were as expect-
ed, and for the number of people this
tour handled, it did a bang-up job. But
to be quite honest, being on such a tour
does rob you of your individuality and
most of your ability to make decision
for yourself. Peopletold me to get o
planes or buses and I did it, if no tore
told me what to do I just followed at
rest of the herd (a smarter man than'I
would have read the itinerary; but
then, who reads on vacation?).
When I got off the plane, for all I
knew my herd could have been follow-
ing lemmings off a cliff and I would
have just gone right along. For allI
kgnew, the bus Iheard was goingty
Universal Studios might have bee
heading for Tijuana to sell us all into
sweat shops to produce oversz d
moo-moos and culottes for K-Mart's
Kathy Lee Collection. I guess the fact
that I was not sold for slave labor by
my travel agent should point out that
perhaps I am a little too suspicious at
times - but my faith in my fellow
man is not completely restored.
I had a great time in the Cityo
Angels. You know, the game was fu
and as I said, the tour was incredibly
well executed. The only real problem
with my trip came from the least like-
ly places - from where I least expect-
ed. It came from complaining.
Throughout my entire trip, one
group of young ladies was glued to my
peripheral vision and just within er
shot. I never actually met them but 1
can assure you, that was their one say
ing grace. I don't mean to reinorS
stereotypes of the fairer sex, but thes
women were as thin-skinned ast
were shrewish. I also don't mean io
reinforce any college stereotypes, bl
never did figure out which house te
young ladies belonged to.
Our tour was very well planned.Ii
game day, the alumni association hd
luncheon for thousands of people 00l~
fed them all in an hour. The last tirfI
heard about a meal like that was
Sunday school, and they called it,,l
miracle of divine origin. The aformen-
tioned females could only complain
about the chicken, which was obvious-
ly not free range. #
I complain constantly, but these
ladies found fault everywhere and
expressed their distaste just long
enough for it to annoy me. Whether it
was the food they had at dinner, how
fast or slow the luxury tour bus w,
driving, or even the weight of each"o
their 25 over-stuffed suitcases, they
found incompetence all around." I
don't know if they hadn't ever trav-
eled outside of their own little subur-
ban bubble or if they had just never
experienced a vacation that slummed
at three-star hotels; perhaps it was
the great distress of only being wait-
ed on hand and foot 78 percent of-the
time that was so frustrating. For the
five days of bitching I endured
never once heard them justify one
complaint. Interestingly enough, the
only thing that I perceived slowing
down our tour was when they
usurped the time of our tour guides
and bus drivers with their vapid
whining.
I guess what bothers me the most is
that while they were complaining
about what was aperfectly good ti
in a steady 75-degree climate, re
hard-core Wolverine fans were freez-
ing their butts off at home - in
Michigan because they couldn't get
tickets or couldn't afford it. Three of
my close friends got into a car acci-
dAt n~n. 04',, katw,,n Ann A rhnr 'and
,I