4A --The Michigan Daily - Monday, January 12, 1998 &ht £id(igau ui4Iu 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 Q) 1w'v~l&rTt CVoi~l: ~- UjoxvvZ . S 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. Li-rrt~ MJC - -j~vAL~4AM1 QNLU(D fASK S y WpLo TA- V \Gf2 vASK- cam.t"- t N A-t~O~jA C.14ARM? OtJS 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