4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, April 8, 1998
cbe £Iirtcga tti'g
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
Unles otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Daily ' editorial board.
All other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily.
FROM THE DAILY
getovers
'U' Housing needs a news sstemn of estimation
'it's time for new ideas, for new initiatives.'
- LSA Dean Edie Goldenberg, announcing her resignation yesterday
KAAMRAN HAFEEZAA
. 4
COUsAN'u0 YEST f
'dPrT A 3 s M d -
SOtH
L.ETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Win a date with
handsome{
Daily columnist
James Miller
Term papers. Final exams. Warm
weather. Put these things together
and you have the makings of a serious
deficiency in academic motivation.
Face it. As a campus, we are
extremely disinter-
ested by our stud-
0
L ast week, University Housing announced
that nearly 300 spaces in traditional resi-
dence halls will remain open for returning or
incoming students. This information stands in
stark contrast to Housing's original statement
that upperclassmen would not be able to
return to these residence halls for the 1998-,
1999 academic year. While a surplus of avail-
able rooms can be beneficial to many stu-
dents, Housing's lack of any accurate system
to estimate the number of spaces needed is
unacceptable.
Flousing first announced its policy that
upperclassmen would be unable to live in tra-
ditional residence halls last fall amid a great
deal of controversy. As part of the reasoning
for the change, officials cited numerous prob-
lems accommodating first-year students due
to, incoming classes' sizes. The University
guaranteed housing for all upperclassmen in
non-traditional halls such as Fletcher and
Baits. At the time, the decision pleased no
one, but it appeared to be the only possible
solution to a difficult problem.
In the wake of the announcement, some
upperclassmen felt a great deal of uncertainty
about their future living arrangements. In
addition, many upperclassmen questioned
why the University would seemingly make a
value judgment between segments of its stu-
dent population. The policy made many stu-
dents feel unwelcome in University-owned
housing and pushed them to seek accommo-
dations elsewhere.
The blundered estimation may prove
expensive for some students. Upon hearing
about the new policy, many students rushed
to sign leases with private landlords in Ann
Arbor, ensuring that they would have a
place to live next year. Renting an apart-
ment or house, in Ann Arbor's bloated mar-
ket, can be expensive, especially late in the
academic year. The cost can also extend
beyond the purely financial as these stu-
dents will lose easy access to the resources
available in traditional residence halls,
including libraries, fast Internet connec-
tions and cafeterias.
These students faced a tough choice:
They could either scramble to get the best
available apartment or house or take their
chances with the University's new policy.
Another problem complicating the issue is
the lack of available housing in Ann Arbor
through private landlords. Waiting until
spring to see the results of the housing cri-
sis would have greatly reduced the number
of available privately owned properties -
the best housing quickly disappears from
the market as students who look early get
the best deals. Inaccurate estimation is a
dangerous risk to take - if the University
lacked the extra spaces that it has now, stu-
dents would have to pick from among the
Ann Arbor-area leftovers.
University Housing continues to demon-
strate an inability to produce accurate fore-
casts of student housing needs and availabili-
ty. Such estimates are crucial to students'
well-being at the University - students can-
not properly learn in an uncomfortable living
arrangement, nor can they optimally function
when their futures are up in the air.
Class sizes increased at the University over
the past several years, culminating in last fall's
housing crunch. Housing should recognize
that its current system no longer works as well
as it once did and should adapt it so that future
classes can avoid the housing crunch. A per-
son's living quarters are very important to his
or her academic performance, and it is time
for University housing to revamp its opera-
tions to better serve students and the
University as a whole.
We clip our toe
nails, we clean, we
vacuum. We pre-
tend to like, even
really like daytime
TV. Anything to
keep ourselves
from having to do
the Lord's work.
I propose a
diversion - a
pleasant little
activity that can
S
0
AMES
MILLER
Back in business
Washington should focus on work, not scandal
A fter the events of last week, President
dill Clinton will not return to the
Washington that he anxiously left and to
which Americans have grown accustomed
to. Last Wednesday, in a stunning court
victory for President Clinton, Federal
District Court Judge Susan Webber Wright
threw out the Paula Jones sexual miscon-
duct lawsuit. While Jones's lawyers
promise to appeal the decision, it seems as
though business as usual could once again
rule the nation's capitol. With the dismissal
of Jones's case, the political dynamic and
culture could now change from scandalous
sexual allegations to talk of tobacco, social
security and bipartisan relations.
Talks of impeachment are now, at the
least, stalled, and Independent Prosecutor
Kenneth Starr faces an uphill battle as he
vows to pursue his investigation of the
president's alleged criminal coverup.
Wright's decision, while providing no
certainty that this case is fully behind the
president, might have swayed the political
pendulum back toward normality.
Jones, a former Arkansas state worker,
initially brought charges against Clinton
in May 1994. She filed a civil suit claim-
ing that he made unwanted sexual
advances in May 1991, when Clinton was
governor of Arkansas. Four years later,
Wright found the alleged incident as
"boorish and offensive" at worst but lack-
ing all proof of "tangible job detriment"
or "forcible compulsion" amid a hostile
work environment, as required by law.
She continued to say that the pending suit
"falls far short" of requiring a jury trial.
sensational case, her decision was clearly
warranted by the law and the facts.
Wright's opinion exemplified a full and
fair employment of the legal process that
this nation was founded upon.
By no means does this decision
defame Jones or belittle cases of sexual
harassment - much to the contrary. In a
time that places much attention upon sex-
ual misconduct, this decision stands out
as important and honest. Only cases
meeting rigorous standards should be
granted a trial. Otherwise, the legal
process becomes a mockery of itself, and
all cases are cheapened by the admission
of some. Judge Wright should be com-
mended for not bowing to Washington's
powerful political antics or the mass
media's consistent pressures. As defined
by the letter of the law and articulated by
Wright, the "alleged conduct does not
constitute sexual assault."
President Clinton reportedly felt vindi-
cated and celebrated with a cigar and a
drum. While dismissed, this case still
holds far-reaching repercussions - four
years have been spent pursuing legal
games. The names of Bill Clinton and
Paula Jones will forever be linked in
scandal.
But this could mark an up-turn for
Clinton's plagued second term. With
Jones's anticipated appeal and Starr's
continuing investigation, last week's rul-
ing is not the end of Clinton's legal trou-
bles. But it may be the beginning of the
end. Perhaps upon return to Washington,
Clinton can adopt standards of behavior
OSU came
through for
'U' fans
TO THE DAILY:
As an alumn living in the
Boston area, I anxiously fol-
lowed the Michigan hockey
team to see if it would make
it to the final four this year.
As soon as I found out that
the tournament was going to
be in Boston, I was so excit-
ed. I also was excited when I
found out that the Wolverines
made it - I could see them
play for the first time since I
graduated. I even managed to
get a ticket.
Did I get my ticket
because I had season tickets
when I was a student? No.
Did I get my ticket
because I am a lifetime mem-
ber of the University's
Alumni Association? No.
Did I get my ticket
because I belong to the
Alumni Club of Greater
Boston? No.
I got my ticket thanks to
Ohio State University
Alumni. Believe it or not, the
Buckeyes came through for
the Wolverines in Boston -
even when their own Alumni
Association and ticket office
wouldn't. When the dedicated
officers of the Club of
Greater Boston found out
that University alumni were
not going to get tickets, they
called Boston University,
Boston College, Ohio State,
and I don't know which other
alumni associations to see if
their members would be will-
ing to sell any tickets to the
Michigan vs. New
Hampshire game.
This is ludicrous, not to
mention embarrassing. If any
personnel from the
University's Alumni
Association or ticket office
would care to respond, please
contact the Alumni Club of
Greater Boston, because I am
obviously no longer in Ann
Arbor and cannot read any
responses in the Daily.
ELISSA EDELSTEIN
UNIVERSITY ALUMNA
'First genocide
of the century'
deserves
attention
TO THE DAILY:
On April 24, Armenians
throughout the world will
remember the 83rd anniver-
sary of the 1915 Armenian
Genocide by the Young Turk
government. The eve of April
24, 1915 marked the begin-
ning of the first genocide of
the 20th century, the most
harrowing period in
Armenian history. More than
1.5 million men, women and
childrenuwer 2annihiatd at
Armenian intellectuals from
Constantinople, who were
gathered and shot on the eve of
April 24, 1915. Women, chil-
dren and the elderly were
forced from their historic
homeland under the false pre-
tense that they would be taken
to safety, but instead were
marched into the Syrian desert
of Der-El-Zor. Tens of thou-
sands perished on these death
marches from sun exposure,
starvation and thirst. Survivors
were scattered all over the
world, forming the largest
Diaspora in the world today.
The Armenian genocide,
referred to as the first geno-
cide of the century, has been
repeated and may have acted
as an encouragement to some.
My grandparents were
survivors of this genocide,
and I have very personal feel-
ings about this issue. I have
come to appreciate the
strength of the human spirit
and the struggle to remain
resilient and proud. The
Armenian genocide has not
been recognized by the
Turkish government and con-
tinues to be denied today.
Unlike those of the Jewish
faith, whose Holocaust has
been well studied and docu-
mented, Armenians every-
where are still struggling to
educate the world on the
events that took place from
1915-1918, so that we may
reach a fair and just solution
to one of the worst human
tragedies of the 20th century.
TAMAR MISHIGIAN
LSA SOPHOMORE
Hash bashers
behavior was
'immature'
TO THE DAILY:
I was extremely shocked to
see the behavior of hash bash-
ers when confronted by radical
christians on the steps of the
graduate library. Granted, the
pseudo-christians were spew-
ing out hate and condemnation
messages, but that does not
excuse the behavior of a few
immature potheads. If those
who attend the event truly seek
the legalization of marijuana,
then I don't think spitting on,
throwing coins at and pouring
bottles of soda on those who
oppose them fools anyone into
thinking that marijuana can be
smoked responsibly. I say keep
the drug illegal and begin a
campaign to eliminate Hash
Bash in Ann Arbor. I'm
ashamed to be affiliated with
the idiots who could not con-
trol their first impulses that
day. The public sees only these
people, and relates them to the
legalization of marijuana cam-
paign entirely.
ERIC DIEZ
KINESIOLOGY FIRST-YEAR
STUDENT
all the diverse groups repre-
sented on campus. But I
would like to point out a
false piece of information
printed in this article.
As president of the
Michigan Sikh Study Circle,
the organization putting
together Sikh Awareness
Week, I was very concerned
when I read that the organiza-
tion "intended to promote the
understanding of the Islamic
culture" when in fact, we are
trying to educate the campus
community about the Sikh
faith and its traditions. The
Sikh faith and its traditions are
totally separate and unrelated
to the religion of Islam. A
major goal of Sikh Awareness
Week is to increase awareness
of the Sikh faith and to com-
bat the general stereotypes that
the Sikh faith is part in parcel
of the religions of Hinduism
and Islam. If students would
like more information about
the organization or the events
of Sikh Awareness Week,
please feel free to contact me.
JASPREET SINGH
ENGINEERING SOPHOMORE
It is time for
'a new era
of affirmative
action'
TO THE DAILY:
I am writing to make a
call for a new era of affirma-
tive action. 1 believe that the
University community is
committed to maintaining a
racially diverse campus. If I
am correct that maintaining
racial diversity is one of the
University's primary ends in
the affirmative action poli-
cies, then I believe the
University should consider
various means to this end.
For a long time, academia
has used racial-preference
admissions policies to main-
tain diversity. Recently, these
practices have become the
target of objections and law-
suits. I do not wish to evalu-
ate racial-preference admis-
sions policies here, though I
will maintain that they are far
from a perfect means of cre-
ating diversity.
I am suggesting that
instead of defending objec-
tionable racial preference
policies, students and admin-
istrators turn their attention
to devising alternative means
to maintaining and enhancing
racial diversity on campus. I
am aware that academia does
not yet have an alternative
that could maintain the same
level of diversity achieved
through racial-preference
policies. I believe that this is
because people have not been
looking for one. I would be
disappointed if this institu-
tion, which includes so many
creative and intelligent indi-
viduals, could not come up
bring us together as a student body,
foster a spirit of friendly competition,
and take our minds off the rat race and
furious pace of an undergraduate stu-
dent's life.
Yes, it's time for the second annual
Win a Date With James Miller
Scavenger Hunt. (Void where prohib-
ited. Employees of the Michigan
Daily are barred from entering, except
for the cute chicks from classified.)
The lucky lady, or especially pretty
man, to find the most items off this list
will win an evening of magic with yours
truly, paid for in full by The Michigan
Daily.
Our evening will begin with a fluo-
rescent-lit dinner at the Methodist
church soup kitchen of your choice.
From there, we will attend the Ann
Arbor Community Player's production
of "Eva Braun: The Musical." After the
show, it's drinks at Trader Vic's, fol-
lowed by a spirited game of shirtless
Twister until the sun comes up.
1) Something flavored from the Safe
Sex Store.
2) Spork..
3) Sporksporksporksporksporkspork;
4) A skin flute.
5) An item of Lee Bollinger's cloth-
ing. (Monogrammed for authenticity, of
course.)
6) A dirty book from the Graduate
Library closed stacks (ask for the dog-
eared copy of the "Kama Sutra." I swear
it's not mine.)
7) One jar of Olga Savic's exhaled
breath. We will also accept a pint of her
bath water. (You probably should ask
first.)
8) An autographed copy of The Bibl.
9) Full-sized cut out of Redd Foxx
(Bonus point for one of Lamont, too.)
10) A bottle of Natty Light. (Think
about it.)
11) One pair of actual sorority girl
pants. (No, I don't care how.)
12) The William Shatner album. (I'm
not kidding, he actually sings "Proud
Mary.")
13) A kinesiology textbook without
teeth marks.
14) The head of Alfredo Garcia.
15) The Beatles' "White" album
16) The 1998 Fall Term Courseguide.
17) A VC. employee with no pierc-
ings, tattoos or fledgling DJ career.
18) "Spiceworld" ticket stub.
19) The "Men of the U of M
Residential College" issue of "Playgirl."
20) The "Men of the U of M
Residential College" issue of "Playboy."
21) A nametag and burrito 'from
Panchero's. (I'm hungry.)
22) A Dr. Seuss book with a book-
mark in it. (Try Columbus.)
23) An R. Kelly 8-track. (Featuring
the hit single "Ohbabyfreakinyoudown
bootybootybooty.")
24) Sober Backroom employee.
25) Rake from University grounds
crew.
26) A plant from the Fleming 0
Administration building. (I like ferns.)
27) An issue of The Michigan Review
read all the way through. (I really like
ferns.)
28) Use "da bomb" and "historical
dialectic" in the same sentence. (Using
"The historical dialectic is da bomb."
does not count.)
29) A tape of the "What's Happenin"
episode of "That's My Mama" on Beta.
(Name what movie this is from and you
win the date.)
30) The infamous prom picture of
Nancy Cantor and Don Cornelius, host
of "Soul Train."
31) Proof that LeAnn Rimes and
Busta Rhymes aren't related.
32) An Urban Outfitters bag without
a credit card receipt in the bottom.
Due to their extreme difficulty, each
of the following is worth two points:
Sliced whale uvula.
A Women's Studies professor with
a "Football is Life" T-shirt.
Jar of phlegm
The director's cut of the Zapruder
film.
The chandelier from the Martha
I