4A - The Michigan Daily - Monday, September 21, 1998 cI w ffiid$!uu &d ttlg 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 'Let go kick some stuck-up, cappuccino-drinking Wolverine ass!' - a player on the Eastern Michigan University Echo 's team, at the Michigan Daily-Eastern Echo football game on Friday, The Michigan Daily won 42-14 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 A lsIn learned Real world problems are prevalent at the 'U' KAAMRAN HAFEEZ THE AGENT ALLEGEDTO HAVE HAD INAPPROPRIATE CONTACT WITH MIARCUS RAY WAS APPARENTLY NEW AND NOT FULLY AWARE OF HER LIMITATIONS. I Last Tuesday, the University community was shocked and saddened by the trag- ic, drug-related death of LSA sophomore Chris Giacherio. Even those who did not know Giacherio are affected by the loss; it is a harsh reminder that one doesn't need to be a drug addict or a reckless drunk driver to be forced to deal with the often unpre- dictable consequences of substance use. Drugs are a fact of life on the University campus and other college campuses nation- wide. One doesn't have to look too hard to find students using everything from nico- tine and alcohol to marijuana and illegal narcotics. A variety of drugs are used by college students in a number of ways - socially, experimentally, habitually and sometimes quite dangerously. Despite the prevalence of drugs and drug use, there generally is not a corresponding amount of drug awareness and education. The main drug education many University students have received was probably from high- school health classes and the "Just Say No" campaign. While drugs can be used to produce temporarily attractive effects, they can also pose serious risks. Responsible use of controlled substances means making an informed decision about whether the seemingly beneficial effects of use out- weigh the potential dangers. To make an informed decision, one should know how the substance works on the body, what the effects are, and how to get help should the need arise. College students, in particular, are at risk. A campus setting can create a danger- ous atmosphere of false security from the social perils of the outside world. It is not uncommon for first-year students to go overboard with their new-found freedom. But with this freedom comes the responsi- bility to make careful decisions and watch for others who might abuse their freedom. It is not always easy to tell when drug use becomes a serious problem. Alcohol, for example, is so widely used and accepted that it is not generally viewed as a drug, making it probably one of the eas- iest substances to abuse. Students should take care of themselves and watch out for their friends. Students should learn to look for the signs typical of drug abuse in their friends and be willing to intervene if the situation becomes serious. Further, it is important for large campus groups to work with the University to ensure that a lack of education is not a problem when dealing with drug abuse. The University offers many resources that can offer support and intervention options, such as the University Health Services, the Psychological Clinic and the services of the University Hospital. Nationwide toll-free numbers, like The Alcohol and Drug Help Line at 800-821- 4357 and the Cocaine Abuse Hotline at 800-262-2463 are also available for stu- dents in any situation - emergency or otherwise. Whether recreational or habitual, drug use can be dangerous. University students need to be aware of all possible risks, but more importantly, they must be aware of the resources available to help them out. While the college environment may seem sheltered from many of the problems of the outside world, it is important for stu- dents to remember that they are not immune from the greater social ills that plague the country. I, M , e , C 7HEMECth6At1PA41Y HE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Countdown Computer glitch should be handled quickly The creation of the computer chip revo- lutionized the modern world and opened new doors for researchers to explore. Research and exploration have connected the world with satellites, elec- tronic financial systems, the Internet and other technological advances. But nothing is perfect, and neither are computer tech- nologies. Many people and institutions are suffering from a major headache called the Y2K bug. The problem is so big that the U.S. Senate created a special committee headed by Sen. Bob Bennett (R-Utah), to deal with Y2K by studying its impact on the economy and offering preventative mea- sures to its known effects. In an effort to save computer memory in a time when it was at a higher premium than today, computer programmers decided to code four-digit years with only two digits. Since then, this decision to save computer space has had a tremendous impact on com- puter users throughout the world who are now trying to correct programs that will mistakenly assume the year 1900 for 2000. The University is no exception as it attempts to deal with the year 2000 quandary. A small panel called the Committee- to Review the Year 2000 Impact is in charge of the University's effort to minimize the glitch's problems. Under ITD Year 2000 project leader Gloria Thiele's leadership, a Website, http://www.year2000.umich.edu was created to provide information and resources for students and faculty. But even with the committee's efforts to bring the Y2K question to the attention of the University community, some people are still either unaware or apathetic at the moment. The Y2K problem will not be continues. Part of the solution is to reprogram com- puters. But the other major portion of the solution involves testing computers with simulations of functions performed before the turn of this century. The Committee needs to be more vocal about the urgency of the Y2K problem and University students and faculty should put this issue on their agendas. Time and foresight are needed to test possible solutions. Another major problem facing the com- mittee is the decentralized computer envi- ronment of the University. Each University department runs its own separate computer system, creating a major coordination and accountability problem for any organized effort to combat the bug. The committee should be commended for the successful way in which it has addressed this issue. It has appointed representatives from each of the University's academic divisions to coor- dinate their respective efforts. The committee successfully identified two problem areas within the centrally man- aged computer infrastructure - payroll and financial-aid systems. Several computer pro- grams will be replaced and testing will begin at the beginning of next year. Although University members may associate this problem with just govern- ment, banks, businesses and other large institutions, it will have a great impact on students, especially if no plans are made for their computer corrections. The Committee to Review the Year 2000 Impact has made a tremendous effort to address the Y2K prob- lem. University faculty and students must do the rest. The University has provided the resources and information to deal with this near-future problem and people now must UJA works to 'repair the world' TO THE DAILY: On Sept. 17, the Daily printed two letters claiming that the Half Shekel cam- paign "supports illegal acts," ("Half Shekel campaign sup- ports illegal acts," "Article did not give the whole story"). The two authors, Saladin Ahmed and Aaron Stark, charge that the United Jewish Appeal subsidizes housing in occupied Palestinian territory - a direct violation of a U.N. res- olution. Unfortunately, this information is incorrect. The original quotation from the Sept. 14 Daily arti- cle about the Half Shekel Campaign was abused and falsely presented ("Three- year-old Half Shekel cam- paign kicks off again"). The quotation states that UJA helps "... Jews in places like North Africa and Russia emi- grate to Israel." Stark and Ahmed assume that this means immigration to the West Bank. This is a false assumption. As a matter of fact, the UJA clearly states its position that, "UJA/Federation funds are all spent within the 'Green Line."' This means that no money is given to Jewish set- tlements in the West Bank. Furthermore, the UJA is a champion of improving Arab- Israeli relations, spending $82,000 last year on Arab- Israeli Coexistence programs. Contrary to Stark and Ahmed's beliefs, UJA and the Half Shekel campaign are indeed noble causes, working to repair the world. If you would like more information about the chari- table projects UJA supports, you can visit its Website at http://www.uja.org. JEREMY FOGEL LSA SOPHOMORE Music School lost a 'great member' TO THE DAILY: Unbeknownst to many LSA students, the University's School of Music is among the finest in the nation. Our school continual- ly ranks within the top five in the nation, and it is no won- der; our faculty includes world-renowned performers, expert conductors and Pulitzer Prize-winning com- posers.It is with sadness that we have lost a great member of this pantheon, as composer William Albright died on the evening of Sept. 17. Dr. Albright was one of the most notable composers of the latter portion of the ative individual that his art is appreciated by the general population. We in the music community can only hope that our colleaguesoutside the field of music might lis- ten to the art as its practi- tioners live. Students here at the University have access to a rich sampling of cul- ture. If they make time to attend the free concerts given by the student orches- tras, composers' forums and choir concerts, they would appreciate the hard work and carefully practiced art that is music, an art that William Albright mastered. ARIEL BARNETT SCHOOL OF MUSIC PREVEN kit doesn't rid all sexual risks To THE DAILY: In the Sept. 9 editorial "Choice protection," the Daily salutes the FDA's approval of the new PRE- VEN Emergency Contraceptive Kit. The edito- rial board views the new drug's market release as another liberation for the American women that"has been available to women in Europe for years" The con- traceptive is notable for its ability to prevent pregnancy within 72 hours after unpro- tected sexual intercourse. The PREVEN kit's FDA approval means expanded options for women who choose to have unprotected sex. The PREVEN kit should be an exceptional solution for emergency cases, such as rape. But many students may consider the new morning- after pill an easier way to have unprotected sex. Rather than advertising the new drug and therefore encouraging people to go out and obtain a prescription for it, the Daily should first familiarize stu- dents with the options they already have. Thousands of new University students read the early September editions of the Daily. Considering the number of parties that take place during this time period that often involve alcohol abuse by first-year students, it is essential to think twice before having unprotected sex. The editorial hardly mentions the risks of AIDS or other STDs, yet it pro- claims the women's freedom to "control their own bodies." Before getting in the line for the new drug, let us ask our- selves, does it really give us more options, or just limit us to unprotected sex with no alternatives? FARAGE YUSUPOV LSA JUNIOR W nfL i fnn ticket prices were much lower than ticket prices at other schools with comparable hockey programs. I ask, how is this a justification for rais- ing prices'? In college sports, selling tickets should not be a com- petitive business. I'm not going to go start watching Michigan State home games in Lansing if I find out they have lower ticket prices. Similarly, Minnesota fans aren't going to come out to Ann Arbor unless the Gophers are playing here. The cost of the tickets is not a factor - supporting your own school's team when they play at home is. When I found out that season ticket prices had increased this year, I assumed that the arena needed some renovations, there were a lot more games or that the hock- ey program was having trou- ble supporting itself. But according to the Athletic Department, that's not the reason. So we can deduce that last year's ticket prices were high enough to support a national championship team and its home arena. Where is all the extra money going'? Madej admitted that the new price may discourage students from attending the games, but he predicts that most season ticket holders are too fond of the team to refuse to pay. Is it right to take advantage of the fans this way? I say no. I refuse to be exploited by the Athletic Department. I encourage other dis- gruntled fans to send a mes- sage to the Athletic Department. GERALD GOOD RACKHAM Air bags do more good than harm TO THE DAILY: The letter "Airbags do not protect women and children" (9/17/98) caught my eye for personal reasons. Two weeks ago, my cousin and two of her friends were involved in a head on collision with a car that crossed the centerline of the road while doing 85 mph in a 45 mph zone. All three occupants of her vehicle walked away from the acci- dent. Neither the driver (male), nor the front seat pas- senger (female) received life threatening injuries - thanks to the seatbelts, airbags and careful engineering of the car. I grieve for the 65 chil- dren (51 of whom were not properly restrained in safety seats) and 47 adults (34 of which were not belted) Credit cards and Bivouac: Surviving in A2 L et's face it: We, as college stu- dents, represent one of the most naive segments of the American popu- lation. Newly independent, we amble through life without the wisdom of experience to guide us. Though w attempt to hide our inherent simple- mindedness behind organic chemistry text- books and graphing cal- culators, it's still pretty evi- dent to the rest of the pop-r lace that we have absolute- ly no street smarts whatso- HUNTER ever. al Tragically,1i. 3I no one is more aware of our elementary nature than the credit card company representatives who bedevil the campus with their application tables and free Tshirts every fall. Showing up in the idyllic late-sum- mer months when the sun is aglow ar4 the freshmen are out mating, they hap- pen to catch us when our defenses are down and our naivete is at its yearly peak. "Ay, yo, check it!" thinks the aver- age student. "This is pretty schmoove. I fill out this here piece-a-paper an' I get a credit card just like that. Dayumn! Just think of all the tight Tommy hookups I can get for all the Union parties." Freshly weaned from the financi* treats of our parents, many of us have only recently assumed control of our personal finances and still don't have good financial sense. So we college students - more than any other group of hopelessly naive people - should be wary when the company represen- tatives try to help us master the possi- bilities. For most students, a credit card wiJ provide increased purchasing power aW the opportunity to establish a clean credit record. But this isn't true for everyone. Those with uncontrollable appetites for clothes and gadgets often wind up deep in debt. Though becoming a cardholder may seem like a mere rite of passage, the decision to get one should not be taken lightly. Now the whole credit card issue may seem like common sense: If you know you're an irresponsible spender, do get one. While on the surface it ma seem just that simple, no one can deny the powerful temptation to go around wielding plastic. For instance, remember the first time you wandered into Bivouac? Everything was cool until the cute saleswoman (who doesn't work there anymore) caught you gawking at the exorbitant prices on all the North Face gear: "Get out of here, you disgusti serf!" she bellowed. "And so help me, if you put your plebian hands on any of the fleeces on your way out!" Experiences like this one, which are pretty common in Ann Arbor, often con- vince us that Visa is our only salvation, our one hope to at least pretend that we aren't standing by our mailboxes wait- ing desperately for our next financial aid checks to arrive. We want all the luxuries we had at home - the car, the clothes, the me - but we just don't have the income. And even though Visa and Mastercard know we're broke, they're still right there to help us. But they don't give us credit cards for purely charitable rea- sons. They're trying to get over on us, as much as we're trying to get -over on them. Let me explain Credit card companies started usin a strategy called bottom-feeding in tlW early 1990s to increase market share. In this method of card solicitation, companies scour the country in search of people who are - how should I say it? - "financially challenged." This group, of course, consists of those most likely to develop credit card debts because of limited resources. A decade or two ago, if you weren't well- paid, you could just about be sure that you'd get rejected when applying for credit. But times, they are a-changing. Between 1993 and 1996, the percent- age of households with incomes under $20,000 that received credit card offers jumped from 36 to 58 percent. And once companies decided to start distributing cards on an everybody-and-their-mama basis, payment defaults went up by 40 percent. Since American Express, Visa art Mastercard only make money when yo or I accumulate interest debt by failing to pay off our monthly debts, it's obvi- ous why they target college students: We're alltbroke and probably won't always be able to pay off our debts on time. , I