4A --The Michigan Daily - Monday, January 12, 1998
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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,
'It's the perfect ending to a perfect season.'
- LSA senior Bhavin Patel, on yesterday s victory parade
JORDAN YOUNGTyNE:
Un leWss 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
'U'NA lllae for change
' U,' NCAA should place safety above all
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ragedy has recently beset the arena of
collegiate sports. With the deaths of
three wrestlers, including LSA junior
Jefferey Reese, issues regarding dangerous
training regimens have entered the spot-
light. In the wake of Reese's death, the
University quickly responded by forming a
task force comprised of sports and health
administrators, with the purpose of creating
a plan to prevent further tragedy. Their rec-
ommendations, released last week, will
only affect college wrestling and prevent
further health risk if it is followed by the
entire NCAA.
Wrestling has long been a sport in which
strenuous training and the pressure to lose
weight within short periods of time are the
norm. Wrestlers - in order to qualify for a
given weight class - might employ various
methods of cutting weight such as strenuous
exercise or working out in rubber suits in
heated rooms. The danger lies in the possi-
bility of wrestlers and coaches choosing to
ignore the potential health risks of these
practices. The new guidelines from the
University task force could alleviate this
problem.
Some of the provisions, such as the ban-
ning of the use of rubber suits and the daily
monitoring of the athletes' weight, could
change many traditional wrestling tech-
niques. However, when the lives of student
athletes are at stake, the task force should
place tradition second to safety.
While the University's provisions would
not provide for fair competition if
Michigan were the only team adhering to
them, the Athletic Department cannot
afford to put its student athletes' lives at
risk. Schools that adhere to strict weight-
loss guidelines could find themselves at a
competitive disadvantage when facing an
opponent who still employs unhealthy tech-
niques. The NCAA must act quickly to
ensure that all collegiate wrestling teams
are not only on the same competitive play-
ing field, but are also safe.
The NCAA should enforce more strin-
gent guidelines. It has set up a task force to
investigate the matter, but it must act
immediately to prevent future tragedies.
Memoranda sent last month to coaches
across the country explaining the dangers
of unhealthy weight-loss techniques in the
sport of wrestling do not stress the severity
of the situation. Until the governing body
of college athletics comes down with a
clear plan for all schools, it is leaving
wrestlers in danger. It took the death of
three young men to realize that there are
serious problems in wrestlers' training
methods. The NCAA should place the pro-
tection and health of student athletes over
the traditional methods of cutting weight.
Athletic Director Tom Goss took the first
step by enacting the task force's recom-
mendations - the rest of the NCAA
should follow suit.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Extra detention
State legislature should not pass Olshove bill
ne of the most important parts of the
Bill of Rights is the due process
clause of the Fifth Amendment. This fun-
damental right guarantees citizens that
they will not be deprived of life, liberty or
property without due process of the law.
In the Michigan House of
Representatives, a bill that was introduced
last month seeks to hold "sexual preda-
tors" longer than their original prison sen-
tences if they are considered unsafe for
society - an unjust extension of their
prison time and a violation of their consti-
tutional rights.
Rep. Dennis Olshove's (D-Warren)
proposed legislation has two parts. Under
the bill, a government agency must be cre-
ated to monitor criminals convicted of
sexual offenses and determine whether
they are still violent. Within three months
of their release date, a psychological
assessment of the offender would be
administered. The second phase of this
proposed law would require a trial to
determine whether sex offenders were still
violent and unfit for society. If this were
the case, these prisoners could be commit-
ted for psychiatric treatment so that they
could be rehabilitated.
This bill, which is designed to protect
innocent people from violent sex offend-
ers, has significant flaws. The U.S. correc-
tions system has several purposes - one
of which is to punish those who violate the
law. Of equal importance is the rehabilita-
tion of criminals that should occur during
their sentence through extensive counsel-
ing, education and job training. The cre-
ation of this proposal has a serious under-
lying statement - that prisons, at least in
Michigan, are not doing their job. The real
H OW TO CONTACT TI
problem is that violent sex offenders are
being released without rehabilitaton -
policymakers need to focus more of their
efforts on identifying the root of this prob-
lem and fixing it. These people need assis-
tance that they are not receiving in prison.
If committing offenders for psychiatric
treatment is the solution to the problem in
the Olshove bill, then these people should
be receiving this treatment during the
course of their sentence - not in addition
to it.
The other glaring violation of the Fifth
Amendment is that this legislation punish-
es a person twice for one crime. Under
present law, there is no legal way to keep
violent sex offenders any longer than their
sentences require them to be held. Should
this bill pass, it would lead down an unde-
mocratic slippery slope. If violent sex
offenders could be detained after complet-
ing their sentences, people convicted of
other crimes could also be detained if
deemed not fit for returning to society.
The bill would open the door for all crim-
inals to eventually be held in prison indef-
initely.
The state government should focus its
efforts on why criminals are not being
rehabilitated during their sentences.
Resources should be devoted to helping
criminals return to society as productive
citizens, not to jail cells or psychiatric
wards. If this is adressed, there should be
no need to punish criminals twice for the
same crime. The state legislature should
not pass the Olshove Bill because it vio-
lates fundamental rights guaranteed by the
Fifth Amendment and does not address
the problem with the state's corrections
'M' football
shows class
TO THE DAILY:
It really irks me to hear
these "Wazzu fans (that's
what Washington State stu-
dents call their school for some
reason) crying foul over losing
the Rose Bowl as time expired
"errantly:' What these people
don't realize is that the game
should have never come to that
conclusion anyway. Were they
watching as their receiver bla-
tantly shoved Charles
Woodson to the ground to gain
position on the previous play?
I guess not. Barring an
unsportsmanlike act such as
this, Woodson would have
intercepted that ball, run it
back for a touchdown and
struck the Heisman pose! At
the very least, a penalty for
offensive pass interference
would have been called and
Wazzu would have found
themselves without a prayer.
Additionally, Jack Kinter in
his letter "Poor Tactics
Cheapen M' Victory," (1/7/97)
merely proves that he is very
bitter about his poor Wazzu
losing a game they never had a
chance to win in the first
place. Michigan was the epito-
my of class after the game by
virtue of Brian Griese's nation-
al championship comments
and Charles Woodson's recog-
nition of the fans. There was
no whining or sad crying for
support like Nebraska's Scott
Frost had to resort to.
Remember that when the
Associated Press trophy was
awarded, the Michigan players
accepted it and held it aloft.
Who was there for our always
classy friends Nebraska? No
one other than Coach Tom
Osborne. What kind of mes-
sage does that send? From a
team that runs up scores
against lesser opponents and
gives us citizens with the
integrity of Lawrence Phillips,
I would expect this. Osborne
won Nebraska's share of the
national championship, not
the team. He got the pity vote
when he announced his retire-
ment.
Nebraska can claim their
championship, but they'll
always be looking over their
shoulder to make sure a
Wolverine isn't around. Two
first-place votes isn't much to
hide behind!
AARON BROOKS
ENGINEERING SENIOR
Diversity is
an important
part of dorms
TO THE DAILY:
In light of all the stress
that the University has been
skin color.
I imagine that many other
students would agree that it is
of great benefit to first-year
students to have knowledge-
able and experienced upper-
class students living among
them in the "traditional"
dorms. Upper-class students
set the tone and personality
of the various dorms. I also
personally believe that learn-
ing by example is a very
important part of life, and
without examples, many
first-year students may have
a harder time adapting to col-
lege life in general.
From everything I have
read and heard, the
University is saying that this
policy change was made to
enhance the quality of the
first-year experience. I per-
sonally feel that the opposite
will happen if first-year stu-
dents are completely segre-
gated from upperclassmen. I
know that this is a very com-
plicated issue, but I hope the
University administration
takes this into serious consid-
eration before making any
final decisions in this matter.
JONATHAN MEZZADRI
LSA JUNIOR
Article implied
stereotype
To THE DAILY:
I would like to comment
on the article by Janet Adamy
on the University's admis-
sions policies ("'U' admis-
sions process alters GPAs,"
12/10/97).
Upon reading the infor-
mation relating how grade
point averages are "adjusted,"
I was quite disturbed to dis-
cover that such a practice
exists at an institution which
prides itself on equality and
diversity.
More specifically, I was
appalled to read the wording
in the article that referred to
northern Michigan as an area
which is "separated from cul-
turally more sophisticated
areas."
As a native of northern
Michigan, who shockingly
enough has obtained a gradu-
ate degree in a hard-core sci-
ence, performed cancer
research at the Mayo Clinic,
and is currently employed by
the University in biomedical
research, I feel that perhaps I
should take the time to point
out the truth with regard to the
level of sophistication there as
compared to other areas.
The small rural area from
which I originated has pro-
duced many individuals who
are nationally recognized for
their talents; among them
James Earl Jones, who
received his initial training in
acting at our theatre in
Manistee, which is now on
torie places. There is also
Interlochen Fine Arts Camp,
which is nationally renowned
as one the finest programs
for musical training in the
country. The music program
in my high school achieved
the phenomenal record of 21
years of blue-ribbon highest
honors at the state music fes-
tivals. To perpetuate the myth
that anything north of Ann
Arbor is inhabited by red-
necks in pickup trucks who
shoot guns and drink without
restraint is nothing short of
social ignorance.
Sophistication is found in the
the manner of kindness and
respect in which one treats
another human being, not in
the factors such as where
your father went to school, if
you live in the South, o-
other vague guideline which
those in power use to perpet-
uate their own elite
Considering tha- the
northern Michigan area tax-
payers bear the majority of
the tax burden of the state
that supports this institution,
I feel that a little more
respect should be in order.
Speaking from the per-
spective of one who is
accomplished in her field
without the benefit of a
University of Michigan edu-
cation, I am glad thateI opted
to attend a smaller state
school in a less "advantaged"
area and skipped the course
on "Snobbery 101."
JILL GRANGER
UNIVERSITY STAFF
Media should
help protect
children
TO THE DAILY:
We are writing in
response to media coverage
of the recent lawsuit against
the Family Assessment
Clinic at the University. The
Clinic was found not liable
of all charges with little
deliberation on the part of
the jury. This result came
despite the impression of
guilt promulgated by the
media in the period leading
up to the trial. The work of
the clinic is vital in protect-
ing children from sexual and
physical abuse. We believe
this lawsuit to be part of a
larger attempt to discredit
those at the forefront of this
protective effort.
Thus, we urge the media
to help ensure the safety of
all children by taking an
active role in reporting on the
full extent of this issue.
SARA GOODKIND
JEFF SHOOK
Come in out of
the cold feast
your eyes at
local museums
S[is the season - the post-holiday,
Tnew-semester,let's-gut-it-through-
the-remainder-of-this-dreadfully-dreary-
winter season, that is. At the risk of
sounding Eyoreishly morose, January in
Ann Arbor is not
the same pretty
thing December
was. The doorways
and porches that
twinkled withta
multitude of tiny
lights and other
decorations have
fallen dark; local
businesses no
longer feverishly ERIN
hawk their wares to MARSH
the gift-giving, TININ
guilt-motivated F''
masses. We're left
feeling a little despondent, and the
prospect of a new semester may relieve or
intensify those feelings, depending on our
particular philosophies.
So 'tis the season to seek out color
and warmth, in any venue we find
pleasing. For some, that will be the
bleachers of Yost Ice Arena, cheering
the hockey team on to another victory.
For others, it will be the inviting inte-
riors of Ann Arbor's notorious water-
ing holes. For yet others, the tables of
a local cafe, where the coffee is hot
and the conversation warm.
For some - and for me - the chilly,
gray months between New Year's and
sometime in April are best spent seek-
ing color in art museums. It doesn't
really matter what medium or period
- it's more the sheen of polished par-
quet floors, gilt frames and marble
pedestals that combine to gently warm
the soul and soothe chilly spirits.
Those who love houses of art recent-
ly have found their cup enticingly full.
Special exhibitions like Philadelphia's
Czanne, Chicago's Monet and the
Met's Cartier, to name a few, were
some of the hottest tickets around.
Lovers of art and architecture have
jumped for joy over Los Angeles' new
mountaintop beauty, The J. Paul Getty
Museum and Research Institute. The
museum, which opened just a few
weeks ago, is part of a mass movement
to reintroduce the fine arts to urban
communities and open doors to audi-
ences who may not otherwise enjoy
easy access to museums. In an age of
restrictive federal budgeting - which
is particularly harmful for groups like
the National Endowment for the Arts
- efforts such as those put forth by
the Getty Trust are essential to help
revive tired urban landscapes and
bring back the most important compo-
nent of art: an appreciative audience.
The Getty has scored a home run
with its $1 billion effort. The sprawl-4
ing complex has the feeling of old
Hollywood representations of heaven.
Its seven buildings are constructed of
white Italian travertine, steel andglass,
featuring large panel windows that
reflect the sky and clouds. Cool foun-
tains trickle along shallow, stone-bot-
tomed pools. Interiors flow easily into
breezy courtyards. It is a stunning
place to enjoy art.
But students in need of a little food
for the eyes and soul need not jump the
next plane for the West Coast; the
Midwest - and even our own Ann
Arbor - offer tempting options for an
afternoon of wandering and drinking in
some of the delicacies that the art
world hasto offer. The Toledo Museum
of Art, for example, recently featured a
special exhibition of treasures from the
Hermitage. Its proximity to Ann Arbor
- only about a 45-minute car trip -
lends itself to easy Saturday afternoon
excursions. Perhaps most important to:
students, though, is the fact that gener-
al admission to the museum is free.
The magnificent Art Institute of
Chicago currently features an exhibi-
tion of Renoir portraits; a small but
lovely show. Students lucky enough to
land tickets should take advantage of
the opportunity to check out the
Institute and one of the best collec-
tions in the country. Chicago is a fea-
sible and fun road trip - only about
five hours, minus rush-hour traffic.
Best of all, students who can manage
only to roll out of bed and trot down the
block still have an amazing opportunity
to visit a world-class collection. The
University Museum of Art houses an
eclectic and expansive collection,
including exquisite permanentcol lc-
tions of Asian masterpieces. Alsoj
included in the museum's holdings are
more than 150 etchings and lithographs
by American expatriate master James
McNeill Whistler. This month, the
museum welcomes the long-awaited
exhibition "Monet at VWtheuil," which
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR TOM Goss
I