4A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 18, 1999 t c e n tti1 I'll take the College Championship for $25,000, Alex 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 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. Lendinghelp Greek Week stresses community service ive back to the Community" - completion. that's the message the University In the wake of alcohol related problems Greek system is emphasizing in its annual associated with fraternities and sororities Greek Week. nationwide, this week allows the Greek sys- This annual week of community service, tem to reinforce its community focus. which began on Tuesday and will continue Positive actions are often overshadowed by on through March 25, will see "Animal House" reputations. members f U ryThe Greek system is not just Greek System participate in about parties, but about leader- various charitable events ship and community involve- around Ann Arbor. ment. The Greek system should be r 2 Community service should commended for its efforts in j pf not be reserved simply for giving back to the community.7 ra14 a Greek Week. The Greek system Although this is Greek Week, participates in numerous chari- University students who are not M# . .. g table activities throughout the involved in fraternities or soror- year; this is one case in which lties are nevertheless encour- they take a leadership role on I sat on the bench at Kresge waiting for the bus to north campus. Across the street I glimpsed a spotless navy blue Volvo S70 parked in the sunlight. Foreshadowing? The answer is 1 "Jeopardy!." The ques- tion is, "What is the game show whose col- lege tournament I tried out for last Friday?": The prize for winning the "Jeopardy!" College Championship happens to be a brand new Volvo, or Fjords David as they're called after Wallace the merger with Ford. Cool prize, but let's not Exile get ahead of ourselves. Maynard The bus dropped me off at Pierpont Commons, filling in for Culver City, Calif I walked through the door into a lobby of human entropy. To my right, people with laptops played "Jeopardy!" online. Another group stood single file await- ing the opportunity to play a mock game -- board and buzzers included - hosted by- bubbly minor-league Alex Trebek. I walked past these distractions. I was here for one reason - to take the test and see if I qualify for the show. That and to get a column. The exam table wasn't hard to find. Students huddled around it as if Lloyd Carr called "time out" on fourth down. And it was fourth down; mess up here and your "Jeopardy!" experience was shorter than a flight from Detroit to Chicago. It took me about a half hour to position myself at the front of the table, so I filled time watching students crease their foreheads over the pink, white, yellow and green exams. One by one, they handed in their best shots. Hopeful eyebrows and widened eyes asked the question more often than words:"How'd I do?" Too often the dreaded answer, "Thanks for playing," slipped from the proctors' lips, discarding the would-be contestant's dreams of "Jeopardy!" into the trash. This, of course, did wonders for the confi- dence of those waiting their turn. When the chair in front of me finally opened up, I almost didn't take it. Perhaps this is why it took so long to get to the table. The mind behaves awkwardly in times like these, looking for a little control. I glanced at the pile of pens in front of me, searching for one not infected with someone else's bad luck. I settled on a white one with "Jeopardy!" in blue letters that looked untouched. The proc- tor handed me a green exam. Money. Not to brag, because it's not a big deal, but I went through the 10 questions like a box of Kleenex during cold season. Number 10, "Who is Agatha Christie?" and I was done. I handed my test to one of the proctors. Ten quick hits with a red pen, and she smiled at me over her clipboard. "Excellent! Can you come back at 4?" It wasn't a good time, but I said "Yeah," without hesitation. I went and got a Sprite at Little Caesar's to pass the time before the next test and write ' yerything down. I took a window seat and spit a long time watching people miss the bus Bonisteel Blvd. I hoped it wouldn't happen tp me when I went back for the next phase. Just to advance to the next round was an honor. I asked the proctor how many students were making it, and she told me the testing section accommodated 75 students. Being really busy, she figured maybe 2,000 people tried out for the section. Those fortunate few of us waited to settle our "Jeopardy!" fates. Inside, two TVs loomed; knowing the questions would come from them, I took a seat in the front row. Once we were settled, Trebek himself appeared on screen explaining the procedure and apologiz- ing for not being there in person, since he was installing solid gold bathroom fixtures in his house that week. Anyway, this phase was a little trickier. The questions came in seven-second intervals so we had to adjust quickly to reading olf'the TV. But again I was fine, and the questions fell like extras in a war movie. Sometimes those of us with names at the end of the alphabet experience a unique hor- ror. Not realizing the staff was reading the names of winners in alphabetical order, every name called pierced me with doubt. One left. Then the woman read "David M. Wallace," and doubt turned to joy. Only 13 of us made it' past the second test. The finale required the 13 of us to play a mock round of "Jeopardy!." We all tried to exude personality while the staff checked to make sure we could operate a buzzet. Everyone did well, and I don't know how they'll be able to select just one of us. I assume the same was true of the other two previous groups taking the 50-question test. The "Jeopardy!" staff's simple parting words were, "If you get a letter next week, congratu- lations. If not, you all should be on the show. Please try out again." As we left, the "Jeopardy!" staffers tried to unload all of their freebies. I reached into a box and wrapped my fingers around as many of the uniformly white pens as I could grasp. "Good to have a lot of these when you're a writer," I joked. Looking down at my hand as I left the Commons, I noticed one'blue pen among the handful of white. That's how it's going to be, I thought. Those are the odds. I hope it's me. - David Wallace can be reached over e-mail at davidmw(a umich.edu. TIUOMAS KULJURGIS aged to participate in many of the various activities, which are open to the entire stu- dent body. Three events headline Greek Week - an Education Forum, a Blood Drive and the annual Sing and Variety Show - in addition to the multitude of events occur- ring throughout the week. Other events include a carnival for children at the Ann Arbor Community Center on Saturday. Greek Week organizers already document 1,000 hours of community service, with a goal of doubling that figure by the week's campus. Students not affiliated with the Greek System should also make an effort to give back to the community. Besides frater- nities and sororities there are many other organizations in the Ann Arbor community devoted to helping others. Greek Week allows the entire Greek sys- tem to transcend stereotypes about fraterni- ty and sorority life and show its dedication to the University and Ann Arbor communi- ties. During the next several days, the University should turn out en masse to sup- port community involvement. WEc2 im TO Msu, AE YOU 1HESYt E t i no mt.d A V~PA7 U Tt L MY( KIPNs. WEY MAN, FORGET P+ kcflYou ti "ThE N4 JVI1t[NX L[ m I i a .. w * ~s,. .t A.S .--- AWWAGY. INS and outs ew focus brings much needed improvement n estimated 5.5 million people asylum seekers awaiting their hearings throughout the United States can have even stayed at detention centers for eep a little easier now. The Immigration months or even years after their first id Naturalization Service is shifting its interview. katjvrg Q j6"kc--,,. e4u 0 sl an focus away from raiding workplaces and arresting illegal immigrants toward removing criminal aliens, cracking down on alien smuggling rings, document counterfeiters and employers who hire undocumented workers. Almost 14,000 ilegal aliens were removed from the country last year. The new focus will be phased in over a five-year period. Despite a general budget increase to around $4 billion, most of the INS's resources have been geared toward mak- ing borders increasingly difficult to cross rather than internal enforcement such as raids on workplaces. The agency's border patrol has almost doubled in size during the past five years. The new temperament of the INS, while still far from perfect, is definitely a step in the right direction. Any policy that, grants some leeway to the bulk of illegal immigrants ought to be welcomed. The United States has always been a country of immigrants in search of the American Dream. Rather than boundless opportuni- ties, however, many illegal immigrants now find themselves in INS sanctioned prisons where groups like Human Rights Watch have sited numerous abuses. The draconian tactics of the INS, as it enforces harsh immigration laws, have resulted in the detention of thousands of workers arrested in raids on workplaces and criminals convicted long ago of minor crimes. Children who ought to be put into foster care or group homes are being thrown into juvenile jails. Some [.OA, 1 ! As the world grows increasingly smaller, it will become harder for the United States to avoid the plights of peo- ple outside its borders. One of the best ways the United States can help the world's poor and simultaneously stimu- late its own economy is to once again accept immigrants with open arms. Ideally, all immigrants should be granted citizenship. But in the meantime, the INS' new focus away from terrorizing workers themselves ought to be regarded as an improvement. According to INS insiders, the new pol- icy is not an act of goodwill but rather the result of political reality and an inability to effectively deal with the current population of illegal immigrants living in the United States. Surveys indicate that while most Americans still oppose the actual act of crossing the border illegally, many regard illegal immigrants as hard working people who often take jobs most Americans would not consider doing. On Capitol Hill, power- ful lobbies advocating lax enforcement of immigration laws pressure both Democrats and Republicans. Regardless of the motives lying behind the INS' focus shift, the change is desir- able. The INS still has many improve- ments to make, specifically in ensuring that the rights of those in its custody are not violated. No person should ever have to live in constant fear of the U.S. govern- ment and the new goals of the INS likely will result in fewer people having such worries. Michigan Student Assembly serves all students * Student government - what is it? Critics say student government exists because of ambitious political science majors who want to play government and see their names in the paper. They say we (Michigan Student Assembly members) do nothing and that there needs to be drastic change. Well, you know what? They're half right, I am a political science major, and I love to see my name in the paper (who doesn't?). However, I take MSA very seriously. When I was elected to be your student body president, I was overwhelmed with both excitement and responsibility. When 25 percent of the student body voted and bestowed upon me such a tremendous honor, it became my life. I literally live and breathe MSA. It is simply my job and it comes first to every- thing, even to academics. Therefore, I have a fair grasp -of what MSA is, and where we are going; as I should, I helped to direct it. MSA has two main objectives; one is to act as the voice of the students to the administration, and the other is to serve the students and help make this campus a better place. The question then must be asked - do we indeed do what we set out to do? I vote that yes we do, and I have substantial proof to back up my claim. First, I work with MSA representa- tives every day, and I honestly cannot think of one person who is not on MSA for any other reason than to make this campus a better place. MSA Representatives truly care about this campus - trust me, they do. Second, MSA is a service organization devoted to accomplishing numerous pro- jects, and I am proud to say that we have accomplished many of these projects! What I ask of you right now is to look at the advertisement in today's Daily and read it thoroughly. The advertisement is located on page 9A. That advertisement, outlining MSA's projects in progress and projects complet- ed, is my proof to you that MSA is and will continue working for students. As for Tuesday nights and passing res- olutions, well, that is, in my opinion, only 10 percent of what MSA really does (the other 90 percent is in the advertisement in today's Daily). Nonetheless, Tuesday nights are still a part of MSA, and I would like to address the issue of what MSA should or should not debate. For instance, should MSA have passed the resolution condemning the United Nations' sanctions on Iraq? This is where MSA must face its toughest obstacle - to make everyone happy. Yes, you may dis- agree with resolutions that MSA passes and question whether it is relevant to stu- dent life. But your neighbor may believe just the opposite, that a resolution we pass is indeed relevant and germane to students. All I can say is that we live in a democra- cy, and it is your student government. You can direct MSA by simply voting for rep- resentatives who you think will best rep- resent someone based upon his or her* stances on U.S. foreign policy or on pro- jects such as what is on page 9A of the Daily. It is, in the end, up to yout By voting you can express your opin- ion of MSA, and you have a chance to do so next week, March 24 and 25. Voting will take place via the Internet at www.umich.edu/-vote. Finally, as for you critics, I encourage you to get involved with MSA. If you see such a great need to change MSA, then walk the talk. You don't even have to be a representative. In fact, some of our most prpductive members are not elected. E-mail me and I will promise to reply and set up a meeting with you. My e-mail is trentlt@umich.edu. - This viewpoint was written by Michigan Student Assembly President Trent Thompson, an LSA senior 0 Qureshi was much more than a tragic event I knew Natasha Qureshi as a strong, independent and caring person as well as! do not think that it is fair that Natasha s life was judged a good listener and fun person to be the context of one moment in her life. around. It is hurtful that people on cam- pus who did not know Natasha will only because I felt safe. Publishing excerpts from a lettert know this one part of her. I want people I was also offended that the Daily she wrote to Chris is a blatant disrei to know that there was much more to her. paraphrased students at the memorial for privacy. The excerpts did not pro' We spent six weeks together in who could not reconcile Natasha's com- any further information about the si London on a University study abroad posed and mature appearance with the tion and were completely unnecessary program. act she committed. the story. I learned much about myself and my These students went on to assume that Perhaps in the competitive worl world last summer, and Natasha was a her togetherness must have been a facade journalism it is more important to gel large part of that. I want people to know covering an unstable interior. I do not story first than to get the story right, that she was much more than one tragic think that they are in a position to make the Daily is a student publicationt a r f her life that iudgement. should be more concerned with how: ... in that gard vide tua- for d of t the but that sen- OFFICE OF GREEK LIFE 530 S. STATE, BOx 547 ANN ARBOR, MI 48109 r% - - --0% ^ ^^ I