4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, February 25, 1998
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Sam Cooke and
Otis Redding
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420 Maynard Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Edited and managed by
students at the
University of Michigan
LAURIE MAYK
Editor in Chief
JACK SCHILLACI
Editorial Page Editor
'They are eroding a great university by
passing small Increases year after year.'
- University President Lee Bollinger; addressing budget concerns
before the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs
YUKI KUNIYUKI GRoUND ZERO
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
SOWN lfFAkc E
ads
Students should combat all forms of hatred
wo weeks ago, the University's les-
bian, gay, bisexual and transgender
students and community members cele-
brated Queer Visibility Week. The week,
established and planned by the Office of
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
Affairs, encouraged the display of pride
and unity. Although the week was quite
successful with the Kiss-In on the Diag
and many calls for understanding and
acceptance, it was marred by an intolerant
act of vandalism.
Someone posted a rainbow sticker - a
symbol of LGBT pride - with the word
"die" written across it on a wall of Mason
Hall. This incident is just the latest in a
series of hate crimes committed against
the LGBT community in the past year.
Others included vandalism of Diag
boards that advertised Coming Out Week,
damaging of people's cars and even
threats of assault.
This kind of intolerance has no place
at the University. It is ignorant, small-
minded and thoroughly against the princi-
ples for which the University stands. The
fact that the incident occurred during
Queer Visibility Week - an event specif-
ically designed to celebrate LGBT pride
and the community's growing acceptance
- shows that there are individuals at the
University who hold strong prejudices -
enough to make attacks on other people's
sexual orientation or lifestyle choices. In
a community that should be diverse and
accepting of others' differences, actions
like this cannot be tolerated.
The office is taking steps to deal with
the incidents. Members of the Queer
Unity Project met last week with LSA
Associate Dean Mildred Tirado to discuss
the vandalism and will meet with Dean of
Students E. Royster Harper next month. It
is extremely important that the office
works hard to combat incidents such as
this one. If the members of the LGBT
community become a stronger force on
campus, it would send further messages
that hatred will not be tolerated. As long
as hate crimes like this continue, a strong
voice will be necessary to counteract
them. The office must continue to be that
voice.
Although hateful speech like the inci-
dent during Queer Visibility Week is rep-
rehensible, it still is a protected form of
expression. Acts like these are the prices
paid for the freedom of speech - even
the most hateful words are protected
under the Constitution and cannot be cen-
sored. But that does not change the fact
that they are intolerable. It is not the
University's duty to prevent this kind of
incident. Administrators are not allowed,
nor should they be, to censor a basic free-
dom. Instead, it is the duty of the commu-
nity to speak out against and hopefully
prevent acts such as this one.
It is a shame that celebrations of
LGBT pride at the University such as
National Coming Out Day and Queer
Visibility Week are continually darkened
by acts of intolerance. Despite the fact
that even hateful words must be protected
under the Constitution, hate crimes and
those who would commit them should not
be tolerated at the University. The Office
of LGBT Affairs needs to lead the
University community in speaking out
against this prejudice and ignorance.
Although the University itself cannot cen-
sor hateful speech, students - regardless
of their sexual orientation - must take a
stand against bigotry.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Balking at the budget
State universities need adequate appropriations
T he University, with its sprawling
medical center, large student popula-
tion and advanced research programs, is
by far the most expensive public school in
the state. But the maintainance of the
University's reputation and quality
depends on many factors - not the least
of which is the monetary support it
receives as part of the state's budget. But
Gov. john Engler's budgetary wizards
produced only a tiny increase for public
university allocation for the next fiscal
year. Engler's budgetary ideas are bad for
the state's economic future - the state
Legislature should reject his proposals
and implement a larger appropriation
increase.
During his State of the State speech last
month, Engler announced his recommend-
ed budget, which included a mere 1.5-per-
cent increase in funding for higher educa-
tion. Engler has a history of being particu-
larly unfriendly to higher education - the
state would be foolish to follow his guide-
lines. Students' ability to attend state-sup-
ported universities is dependent on their
capacity to afford it. When the state doles
out a small appropriation, large tuition
increases often follow close behind -
pushing post-secondary education further
and further out of the average state resi-
dents' reach.
The benefits of making a college edu-
cation available to a broad group of peo-
ple are great. College graduates tend to
receive better-paying jobs than do those
whose education ends after high school.
Ensuring that a large number of state res-
revenue will, in turn, be enhanced.
Increasing higher-education appropria-
tions now will benefit the state in the long
run.
Last Friday, the state Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee for Higher
Education held a hearing in the Michigan
League to gather input from University
officials about next year's budget.
President Lee Bollinger stated that if the
state passed only Engler's small appropri-
ation hike, tuition at the University would
likely see a 5.6-percent increase. The
University and the state government must
work together to prevent such a prohibi-
tive increase from being implemented.
One serious problem facing legislators
as they finalize the state's budget is the
use of the Consumer Price Index - a
measure that calculates annual inflation
by comparing the prices of a collection of
goods and services with what they were
in 1982. The problem with the CPI lies in
that it measures products that a conven-
tional family would use - a situation that
does not apply to most University. By
using the CPI as a basis for calculating
appropriation increases, state legislators
end up with estimates that are far below
what they should be.
The University must be committed to
keeping tuition increases within students'
means. But in order to do so, the admin-
istration needs the state's help. State Sen.
John Schwarz (R-Battle Creek), chair of
the subcommittee, stated intentions to
recommend a 3.5-percent appropriation
increase. The state Legislature should fol-
'M' outclasses
the Buckeyes
in every way
To THE DAILY:
Until I watched the CNN
forum on Feb. 20 featuring
the town meeting on the U.S.
policy toward Iraq, I had
thought that Ohio State
University students were
excessively raucous only
when their football team
played Michigan.
But after watching these
students' rude and intolerant
behavior directed against
Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright, Secretary of
Defense William Cohen and
National Security Adviser
Sandy Berger, I realize that it
must be some inherently
offensive breed that perme-
ates the campus of the
University's neighbor in
Columbus.
Having attended several
events in Ann Arbor and
comparing these to what took
place at OSU's campus, I am
reminded again how much
the students and alumni of
Michigan outclass the
Buckeyes. Any sane alumnus
of OSU should feel shame
and embarrassment at what
took place there last week.
MICHAEL ZUCKER
UNIVERSITY ALUMNUS
Miller made
homophobic
judgments
To THE DAILY:
My deepest condolences
to James Miller for his Feb.
18 column on the Winter
Olympics ("Winter
Olympics bring more than
sports to television view-
ers"). My charitable side
believes that he must have
been facetious and unde-
serving of my commentary,
but my realistic side sees
ignorance in his writing. He
comments that both men's
figure skating and the two-
man luge are homoerotic.
As a member of the
University's Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender com-
munity, I am offended by
his homophobia and hetero-
sexism. Of course, his
implication that the Gay
National Hockey League
should not be taken serious-
ly should not be forgotten.
Would it be true or fair to
pass the same judgement on
the Women's National
Basketball Association or a
Black National Hockey
League? People are people
and abilities are abilities -
sexuality, gender and race
or ethnicity are unrelated to
human capacity.
And far from a political
mer. Perhaps Miller should
wise up and pay a visit to the
Office of Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual and Transgender
Affairs in the Michigan
Union or attend an open
skate at Yost Arena and
attempt a double jump or
two.
EMILY SIPPOLA
LSA FIRST-YEAR STUDENT
Crisler Arena
should be
returned to
student fans
To THE DAILY:
There are a few obvious
conditions that make Crisler
Arena the worst place in the
Big Ten for a basketball
game for fans and players
alike.
The building itself is the
darkest venue in college bas-
ketball. This may be fine for
snoozing (an opportunity that
many alums seemingly avail
themselves). This could be a
very easy problem to correct.
But more important, since
the majority of the choice
seats in the blue section are
allotted to alumni and bene-
factors of the University.
those closest to the action are
generally disinterested in it.
This results in nothing more
than yawning support from
the most important section in
the crowd. It's difficult to
imagine rabid student fans
rallying the crowd from near
nosebleed-level seats in row
37 in the gold section.
Meanwhile, alumni in the
blue are largely non-plussed
by the action and seem to
resent any effort to stand and
vociferously support the
team.
Harken back to the NIT
games held at Crisler in
1984. Tickets were sold on a
first-come, first-served basis.
This resulted in students
completely filling the blue
section - the gold was most-
ly empty. With no insult
intended to the likes of
Richard Rellford and the
"Butcher" Wade - two of
my favorite Michigan
ballplayers - the level of
play was no way near that of
recent years.
Nonetheless, the crowds
were exponentially louder
than those of today. The play-
ers really seemed to feed
from the support. It was pure
bedlam.
If Athletic Director Tom
Goss ever wants to hear
Michigan fans referred to as
the "Crisler Crazies" he
needs to give the game back
to the students. The potential
for great fan support is there
- its been seen it at
Michigan Stadium.
Another disgruntled stu-
dent? No, a University alum-
guess would be no. Last
week, the Daily reported that
the student section in
Michigan Stadium is on the
southeast side. This is not
true. I have yet to watch a
Michigan football game from
the south side of the stadium.
I always seem to be sitting in
the northwest end of the sta-
dium, right next to all of the
other students. This is where
the student section is, the
northwest side. The Daily's
attempts to make strong argu-
ments ("Stadium crunch
2/18/98) are greatly dimin-
ished because it can't get the
facts straight. The moving of
the students to the northeast
side would make life a lot
easier. Students would not
have to travel west after
entering gates 9 or 10, thus
avoiding the non-student fans
that enter from the west gates
to get to their east-side seats.
This solution would eliminate
the major congestion that is
created at the north side of
the stadium. This is why the
move would be a good thing.
BRENDAN DAVIS
LSA SOPHOMORE
Weekend, etc.
failed to find
all 'frontiers'
To THE DAILY:
As the Director of the
Exhibit Museum
Planetarium, my face is still
stinging from the fact that
Weekend, etc. Magazine
completely ignored our
facility in its Feb. 19 edition,
"The Last Frontier." How
can the staff cover astrono-
my on campus, University
students in astronomy, and
space on campus without
including us? Since 1958
the planetarium has educat-
ed University students
through its public programs
of astronomy education.
Each year, it plays a central
role in planning field trips
for thousands of children
from neighboring counties.
It employs students at the
University and helps them
sharpen their own teaching
skills while passing on the
wonders of the night sky.
Even more, an astronomy
department course is held in
the planetarium every
Monday.
The "Last Frontier" is
apparently larger than the
staff of Weekend, etc. real-
izes.
MATTHEW LINKE
UNIVERSITY STAFF
U.S. skating
pair deserved
diesfor our sins
They are going to present the
Grammies tonight whether I like
it or not. Sometimes I wonder if
there's still any point in complaining
about the pitiful state of popular
music and lamenting the tailored,4
manufactured, gutless weasels that
pass for main-
stream musicians
in our time. After
all, things have
been bad since
"Thriller" and are
only getting worse.
But all last
week, VH I showed
documentarieson
everyone from
Gladys Knight to l AMES
Hendrix to King MILLER
Marvin himself. MtIER
After watching an O AP
hour of footage of
Marvin Gaye and hearing "What's
Goin' On" sung live, I was reminded
exactly how awesome pop music can
be. It makes looking at this year's
Grammy nominees that much more
revolting.
So ifI have to be accused of being a
closed-minded old fool, I'd rather go
down swinging for the side of the
angels.
Record of the year: Comical. The
category is dominated by a particular
aesthetic; that is to say the mopey,
boo-hoo coffee-house folkie.
Disregarding Hanson, a group that
just doesn't exist in my universe,
Paula Cole and Shawn Colvin weigh-4
in with their heart-wrenching tales of
middle-class, suburban white girl
angst.
After all, nothing makes for better
music than tunes someone wrote dur-
ing their Oberlin years, after a pud-
ding orgy. Cole's "Armpit Hair Blues"
is a heavy favorite to take the Grammy
home. I got the album at a juice bar
and enjoyed it very much, as naturally
I would. 4
Running close behind her is Colvin,
called "the thinking woman's Jewel" by
Rolling Stone Magazine. Let's give one
of these women a Grammy and ensure
that women's studies majors will have
CDs to stack on the Pier 1 furniture in
their first apartments.
Song of the Year: Sad. The
Recording Academy calls this award the
"songwriter's award." Our two worst
offenders are Eric and Gwen Stefani4
nominated for their hit "Don't Speak,"
and R. Kelly for "I Believe I Can Fly."
Ask yourself one question: You've seen
Gwen Stefani; if she had 30 extra
pounds, no chin and a huge nose, would
she still be a "pop diva?" That's what I
thought, too.
And as for R., the inspirational,
gospel-tinged video (complete with
choir) leaves an unauthentic taste con-
sidering the heat-seeking booty mis-4
ile music that berthed his career.
Besides, the song sounds like it was
written on a Casio featuring lyrics'
from the Jive Records' Random Cliche
Generator.
Best New Artist: I'll put it this way, if
Eryka Badu doesn't win this award, the
homes of all the Grammy voters should
be napalmed from the air. Every female
singer for the past 30 years has said
they've been influenced by Billie
Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Badu,
along with Cassandra Wilson and a
handful of others, is one of the few
singers with the talent and sense of his-
tory sufficient to claim those two holy
names.
Not only should she win, but
Hanson, one of her fellow nominees,
should have their estrogen supple-
ments taken away for a month to pun-
ish the appalling hubris of appearing
in the same category.
Best R&B Performance By A Duo
or Group: Hilarious and kind of sad.
Speaking as a white doofus fan of the
Temptations, Martha and the
Vandellas, and Stevie Wonder, what
passes for R&B today is downright
flaccid.
The first nominee is someone
named "Az" whose "Hard To Say I'm
Sorry" features none other than Peter
Cetera, former lead singer of Chicago
and infrequent partner of Cher. Is there
anyone less qualified for an R&B
Grammy?
But it wouldn't be a Grammy show
without Boyz II Men, would it? The
Boyz' single greatest accomplishment is
proving that the music press is so deaf
and trendy that they (Da Boyz) can be
compared to the Four Tops on the basis
of being four black guys that sing
together. Touted as "silky smooth bal-
ladeers" and "the kings of Motown,"
these four have made a lot of money by
pushing the same irritating love song
through their noses for the past six
years. They'll probably win and our
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