4A - The Michigan Daily - Monday, February 1, 1999 (Thle firtichIrlt'-n Edda, A post-spring break study break -for women only 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, M1 48109 daily.letters@umich.edu Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan HEATHER KAMINS Editor in Chief JEFFREY KOSSEFF DAVID WALLACE Editorial Page Editors 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. Bye bye, Mo Hartford leaves legacy of student oppression S o spring break is over and we're back to the grind - endless assignments, pur- poseless papers and manic midterm cram- ming sessions. While Angell Hall is yet to be ridiculously crowded, not to mention ridicu- lously dysfunctional, especially with the new arrivals of the less than stellar iMacs, in only a few short weeks< hoards of procrastinat- ing pupils will be at Angell. So what are we to do when in need of a study break? There's nothing at Angell - no food, except for the vending machines that always seem to be out of Diet Sarah Coke, which could be Lockyer a plot from the far lefta to ... never mind; nooade distractions, except for the scary crowd of the same students that seems to habitat Angell during the late night/early morning hours; and no atmos- phere, Angell is like a giant black hole that is void of all things, it has no personality. But for about half of the population here at the University, there is a place of refuge in the void that is Angell Hall - the women's bath- room. This less than sanitary sorority of porcelain pledges offers entertainment that is hard to find elsewhere. For the female stu- dents who have yet to find the wonder of the women's room, and the poor men who cannot under penalty of law (and wrath of SAPAC) check out the walls of the women's bathroom, a glimpse into the underworld of social dis- course among female students at the University will finally be aired. After moving from stall to stall, reading and recording, with notebook in hand, the many diverse and pro- fane discussions written on the walls (and receiving many puzzled looks along the way), one argument stood above the rest - and When Meredith College welcomed Maureen Hartford as its seventh pres- ident last week, the campus community saw a new era approaching. An experienced univer- sity administrator, Hartford represents a step into the next millennium for the small all- female college in Raleigh, North Carolina. One naive student claimed Hartford's appointment was one of the "coolest" moments of her life. But the students were most likely unaware of Hartford's involve- mient in drafting the most recent Code of Student Conduct, an oppressive document that violates students' constitutional rights. Under a veil of bureaucracy and secrecy, Hartford was instrumental in molding this dangerous process. Hartford, who currently serves as the University of Michigan's vice president for Student Affairs, has been a key player in many initiatives affecting students since 1992, when she began her job at the University. The Division of Student Affairs, which she heads, oversees many important campus departments, including Housing, University Health Services, Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, the office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs and the student unions. The division has about 1,300 employees and a $100 mil- lion budget. One office that is tucked into the Division of Student Affairs is the Office of Student Conflict Resolution. Compared to depart- ments such as Housing and the student unions, it employs relatively few people and occupies less space. But it is an office that potentially threatens the rights of every student. OSCR supervises the Code of Student (onduct's implementation. It organizes Code hearings, which have many dangerous flaws. The Code's jurisdiction is loosely defined and can be applied to almost any violation of state or federal law. The Code process is closed to the University community, often resulting in Flying U.S. handled Italy a When a U.S. military aircraft on a training mission sliced through a ski gondola cable in Italy, killing 20 people, many people around the world were shocked. And last Thursday's acquittal of the aircraft's pilot, Capt. Richard Ashby, on involuntary manslaughter charges infuriat- ed people within the United States as well as the global community. The United States, often trying to maintain and promote rela- tions with countries around the world, has made a serious mistake that does not hold Ashby accountable for his actions. While many of the case's specific details are still being debated, it was unac- ceptable for a military jury to acquit Ashby, who was flying a training mission something that should not have posed a threat. Ashby's acquittal from a U.S. mili- tary jury appears unjust, especially when his actions occurred overseas in Italy. Given the horrible result of his actions, the verdict is shocking. Ashby's defense claimed that the equip- ment in his aircraft's cockpit was a major factor in the tragedy. But regardless of instrumentation, he should have realized he was flying through a ski resort at a low alti- tude and taken the proper safety precautions clandestine meetings of University officials that determine the ultimate outcome. In the current draft of the Code, Hartford and Dean of Students Royster Harper play a major role in determining the outcome of Code cases. After arbitration, Harper reviews the decision and can either accept or modify the arbiters' recommended penalties. The accused student may appeal Harper's deci- sion to an appeals board. Hartford, however, has the power to change the recommendation of the appeals board. Because two University officials -- Harper and Hartford - have a large say in the outcomes, the democratic principles of the U.S. judicial system are absent in the Code process. Hartford claims that students were the pri- mary authors of the 1992 and 1995 drafts of the Code. But it is unrealistic to think that the head of the division that oversees the Code did not play a major role in the evolution of the sloppy process. During her seven years at the University, Hartford has led the Division of Student Affairs in many positive directions. She over- saw the development of the program on Intergroup Relations, Conflict and Community, which helps the campus com- munity confront issues such as racism and homophobia through dialogue. Hartford helped establish the Center for Community Service through Learning, a department that promotes volunteerism. But it is impossible to separate Hartford from the Code process, which is an incredible viola- tion of students' rights. Hopefully, she will not institute a similarly oppressive process at Meredith College. It will be in the best interests of the University community, especially the stu- dents, for Hartford's successor to have a bet- ter understanding of the rights guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution. The new vice president for student affairs must be more sympathetic to students' rights. blind ir crash improperly - such as increasing his altitude and decreasing his speed. As a result of this lapse of common sense, the decision is dif- ficult to justify. Currently many U.S. troops are deployed around the world to help promote world peace. Such an incident sets a bad prece- dent - that U.S. troops may not necessari- ly be accountable for their actions while deployed overseas. The U.S. government needs to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. While the Pentagon's announcement last week that aircraft flying in the region must maintain an altitude of at least 2,000 feet is a positive step, the military jury appears to have looked after one of its own. This sends a potentially dangerous message to military personnel. When U.S. troops are deployed overseas, they have the obligation to behave responsi- bly, and must be held accountable when they do not. The United States should not duck responsibility for the incident. It is time for the U.S. government to rectify its actions overseas to prevent such incidents from occurring. The verdict leaves many people still searching for justice. wouldn't you know it - premarital sex. . Question posed: What moral arguments do you women out there have about when it comes to having premarital sex? I'm not talk- ing about STDs or pregnancy. First, you have to just love the forum that was chosen by this woman for this kind of discussion - it's a bathroom! Second, let's talk about sex baby, let's talk about you and me, but let's talk about only the good things and not the bad things sex can be, let's talk about sex. But anyway, on to the best part - the responses. Response no. 1: Premarital sex isjustfine. As long as you are doing it for the right rea- sons - Your pleasure, to strengthen a Mutual bond, to grow (in any way). Just don 't ever do it for someone else. Response to response no. 1: Why? You can 't find pleasure in anything else? When you have sex it should be open to life. Have you ever thought about that? You tell her girl- friend! When people get pregnant they say, oh... the condom broke, etc... it wasn't planned... Well, ifyou 're having sex, you must be married because sex is life giving and any- thing else is just sinful. Everything other than married sex is sinful! SH**! And marriage and love does last forever Tell that to the 50-plus percentile of divorcees. But if you abuse it with sex then you let evil into your life before your marriage begins. Sex means you are one inside marriage, out- side you are just being an animal. This girl means business. Response to response to response no. 1: Yes, but you are making the choices in your life. Response to response to response to response no. one (you see how confusing a bathroom discussions can be): Not if you are raped. Whoa, now here's a tangent that could be interesting. Rape is definitely not your choice and canf*ck up your life. Fight against sexism, sexual harassment and rape for a bet- ter quality of life for all women! Yes, but VIEWO5N weren't we discussing the ethics of premarital sex? It's amazing how people can work their agendas into anything. Response no. 2: 1 dont think premarital sex is okay at all. First of all, why would you want to have sex with someone when you aren 't completely sure that you'll be spending the rest of your life with them? 1 think that mar- riage is a strong commitment and the only person I plan to have sex with is my husband. Plus, I'm a devoted. Christian and the Bible says no sex before marriage. Plus, I'm a devoted Republican and we're not supposed to do those prurient things. Response to response no. 2: Idiot. Marriage is just a piece of paper; anyway. People still get cheated on after marriage. It's the emotional conmitment you should be uvrried about. From here, comments about the Bible, slav- ery and sexual test drives were all scrolled across the sticky walls ofAngell Hall.A fruit- ful discussion that ended with what I assume to be the original instigator scrolling a hardly noticeable "Thank you for the responses." But while some responses were ugly and mean, they will soon be invisible and clean. For the University sees it necessary to erase this place of feeling, painting over the walls every week, yet finding new images to keep them reeling. It really is a silly fight, students and administrators showing their might. Who knows, maybe this sex talk helped the young woman think and possibly even balk. What real harm could this be, this distraction in Angell Hall, is a little ink really going to hurt a stall? These discussions are quite funny, and you'd think we deserve some entertainment for our money. So, to the janitorial staff and Administrators, here's a little something to humorize this sh**, taken right from the stalls, as if offered as a tip, leave the fast sausage to the mothership! - Sarah Lockyer can be reached over e-mail at slockyer(&umich.edu. W ti u e c ti q f f 9 C G tt tc u ti q a p u e v d DAAP calls on students to support GEO walkout The Defend Affirmative Action Party of The refusal of the administration to agree to crimination clause were key iss he Michigan Student Assembly calls on all the just demands of the GEO betray where its 1975 GEO strike. The second BL ndergraduates, professors and campus work- priorities lie. Movement (BAM 11) at the rs to support the Graduate Employees The administration tries to squeeze every occurred simultaneously with the )rganization walkout and strike. The fight of dollar it can out of students - from continu- strike. Hundreds of black and oth he GEO is everyone's fight - we demand a al tuition increases past the rate of inflation students occupied the administrati uality education, teaching and learning as a and exorbitant housing and food costs, down on the eighth day of the strike. Ir irst priority, equality and a commitment to to making us pay for printing at University student action, and specifically stu ighting racism and sexism and respect. computing sites. The administration has have been and remain the stronger The GEO is fighting for contractually refused to grant GSIs the necessary pay dents have in the fight against raci uaranteed paid training for international increase that would free many GSIs from hav- struggle to improve both the qualit Iraduate Student Instructors, fair calculation ing to work second jobs in addition to teach- tion and to expand access to educ )f hours worked and an increase in wages so ing sections and being full-time students. The levels. hat no GSI has to work a second job to afford overextension of GSIs has a negative impact The administration's current o live. on undergraduate and graduate education. In grant the GEO affirmative acti( The GEO is also trying to win a paid grad- addition, the lack of a living wage for GSIs betrays administrative hypocri ate student position to deal with inequity in functions to keep access to graduate school mouthing commitment to "dive he administration's hiring policies for GSIs. weighted in favor of more elite, upper- and administration refuses to take re hese demands are critical to improving the middle-class students. The necessary pay combat inequity in its own hiring uality of education both undergraduate and increase would cost the administration a neg- Especially now, when the Univer raduate students receive, and to improving ligible part of its $2.4 billion budget - $50 mative action policies are under ccess to high quality public education. million of which was brought in by the work must not permit the administratio The purpose of a university should be the done by GSIs. on issues of affirmative action an ursuit of education and human knowledge. A Minority students, and all students who against racism and sexism. A vict iniversity should be focused on making intel- have been participants in the movement to GEO will advance the fight to de ectual and practical contributions to the soci- defend affirmative action must unite with the mative action and the fight for h ty of which it is a part. The purpose of a uni- GEO, which historically supports affirmative education at the University. 'ersity should not be the pursuit of profit and action at the University. -- Written by DAAP memo he constriction of access to higher education. Affirmative action and winning a non-dis- Curtin, Erika Dowdell and Mwan ues in the ack Action University 1975 CEO er minority on building ndependent dent strikes st tools stu- ism and the y of educa- cation at all refusal to on demand sy. While ersity," the al steps to g practices. sity's affir- attack, we n to retreat nd the fight tory for the efend affir- igh quality bers Jessica aisha Sims. " a THOMAS KULJURGIS yJ A. I ' V LL. YA SP .I- . PERVE.RTS, Article omitted MAC members To THE DAILY: As a member of the University's College Bowl team, I am happy to see that the Daily is covering an activity to which a number of University students devote a great deal of time and energy. We sincerely appreciate any exposure and encourage- ment that the University community pro- vides us. Unfortunately, the Daily's Feb. 25 article, "College Bowl team looks for champi- onship' omitted mention of a vital team member. Ravin Garg has been a mainstay of our team and deserves recognition for his skill and leadership. Garg is also the only player remaining from the University's 1996 World Championship team and is one of the premier players in the nation. It is rather ironic that an article about our team's championship hopes would neglect to mention a player so pivotal to our chances for success. Additionally, Steve Traicoff and Michelle Lalonde deserve recognition. Traicoff was our team's alternate and played admirably when called upon, while Lalonde - also a member of the 1996 World Championship squad - has provided our team with invalu- able guidance as our coach. The contributions of each of these individuals are essential for Michigan to defend its national title. MICHAEL DAVIDSON LSA JUNIOR 'U"s flaws tarnish top-notch image dents in classes designed no edge, but to "separate the m Most majors come compl ments for one or more o classes. Complaints of G speak English, or unfair gra individual GSI's guidelines that people dismiss them, c occurrences are just "the, University. That's not wha from one of the best school Many professors seem t University not because ofth municate with students or well, but because of resea ducting. While it may be taught by world-renown( important mathematical res n't matter how smart some communicate with students the understanding that, bef Michigan is a research w U.S. News and World F a- EJ~tJ U- t to impart knowl- Accurso's Feb. 22 letter, "Second en from the boys." Amendment has been severely misinterpret- ete with require- ed.' Accurso compared someone deliberately f these "weeder" shooting someone else with car accidents SI's who cannot when he was calling for lawsuits against ading based on an firearms manufacturers because they provide s are so common the means for killing, whereas car accidents laiming that these are just accidents. Let's compare apples to way it is" at the apples. If someone runs over your sister with t I would expect a car on purpose, would you sue the car man- s in the country. ufacturer for providing a means to kill? :o have jobs at the Accurso said guns were not needed in our eir ability to com- civilized society. We don't live in a civilized to teach a class society. As long as we have to worry about rch they are con- being attacked, beaten, robbed, raped and an honor to be killed for no other reason than walking alone ed historians or at night, we don't live in a civilized society. searchers, it does- Using guns for defense of self and loved ones one is if they can't will always be a fact of life whether it is the . This leads me to police riding around the streets, U.S. soldiers ore anything else, in another country fighting for us, or a niversity. Perhaps woman walking to her car in the parking Report considers garage after work. UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT LEE BOLNGER PHONE: 764-6270 E-MAl: leecbol@umich.edu.