The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 20, 1999 W.,l , 14 ~~ a rtes-tt i~ W-tfirw ovx1mvtj 4,9"It -wctuu It's merely goodbye, goodnight, good morning 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 (This is for every graduating senior at Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of the Dailys editorial board. All other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily. the University) S o it's the last day lectures, or final discussions and our last chance to nap on someone else's time. We have finals, term papers, presentations and reports. Then, we're done. But while we've all had vary- ing experiences, myriad of majors, oops, that's concen- trations, and many differing routes, there are some telling truths about college life, espe- cially here where of classes. Our last Secret no more Sarah Lockyer Locked and Loaded party. We cheered our Victors to a national championship and shivered with our hockey team straight into the record books. We were sobered by the harsh reminders of young life lost, quickly and quietly. We have ex-boyfriends, ex-girl- friends and maybe even both. Ex-room- mates, ex-pledge brothers, ex-pledge sis- ters, ex-housemates. Ex-lovers, ex-hook- ups, ex-friends. Ex-teammates, ex-coach- es, ex-fans. We all have watched too many movies at three in the morning and have slept through too many classes. We have drank too much, done too many drugs and definitely spent too much money. We have paid so many bills and over- drawn our account at least once. We have ran a tab too high and skirted along on someone else's paycheck. We have that random road trip and the all-too-prevalent boredom. We have cars and bars, chicks and tricks, guys and lies. We have graduated from cheesy baby tees to chic BeBe tops, from forgettable flannels to fashionable button-downs. We have surpassed the seeming difficulty of a five-page paper and we have managed to never manage time management. We have received honors in just getting by and a spot on the Dean's list in last minute lies. We've all worked hard but played hard too, and that's the best thing about the U. We all have our many friends, our manic Massermans, our joking Joshs, our cocky Cohens. Our zanny Zieglers and our special Schweigers. We have our silly Seths and our sarcastic Stolers. We all have our meticulous Mikes and our bewil- dered Bens. We have our caring and cun- ning Karens and our enigmatic and excel- lent Emmas. We all have our Lisas and Leslies, our Meghans and Michelles. But . these aren't the ones who we will miss. Instead we'll miss those who we only see once in awhile in Angell Hall and always promise to call, those with whom we have unfinished business and those who we always wanted to welcome, but never did. 4 There will be other bars, longer lines and more expensive drinks. But even for those who won't admit it, let's face it, there will never be another Rick's. But this really isn't the end, nor is it the beginning - it's simply a step, just like all of the others. We walked in the Diag. and stumbled down South U, crossed the bridge to the Hill and hopped a bus to North Campus, walked to the Big House and ran at the Arb. Now, we'll be walking down Fifth E Avenue, Lake Shore Drive or M Street. We'll be strolling down a path in Zimbabwe, an unpaved road in Latin America, a trail in Europe. We'll be skiing the slopes of Aspen, flying across the globe and swimming in the ocean. We'll be chilling at home, helping others and making money. We will all graduate, we will all eventu- ally go to bed and we will all wake up in the morning. So I guess it's merely good- bye, goodnight, good morning. - This is Sarah Lockvers final column. She can be reached over e-mail at slockyer@umich.edu. Secret societies not worthy of 'U' funding After 97 years of gender discrimina- tion, Michigamua, a selective secret society for male University students, has finally been forced to open its doors to Women. Following a long-overdue deci- sion by the University administration, two secret tower societies, Michigamua and Adara, were told the University will not support gender-exclusive organizations. But whether these secret tower societies meet under one heading or two, their role on campus still remains questionable. Michigamua was created with the help of former University President James Angell in 1902. The secret society bought a house on campus and utilized the limit- ed contemporary knowledge of Native American ritual for ceremonial purposes. For their assistance in building the Michigan Union in the 1930s, Michigamua received the top floor of the Union's tower. In the late 1970s, the secret organization came under harsh criticism for its gender-discrimination, culminating in a 1980 decision to create the separate- but-equal group for women, Adara. After 1980, the Tower Society continued to w claim that it stood for leadership on cam- pus. But it wasn't until the University administration threatened to stop funding this year that Michigamua was integrated. A University sponsored secret societies seem outdated for the 1990s. While Michigamua claims to have rid itself of Native American ritual and will be deseg- regated next year, the existence of such an elitist society under University auspices should be brought under examination. Unlike other University affiliated groups, such as the Michigan Student Assembly and social activist organizations, Michigamua doesn't have much to offer the University. As an honor society, it's true that Michigamua attracts exceptional students to its ranks. There is nothing wrong with student leaders of various organizations meeting on their own accord to brainstorm ideas. But such a private group should not be affiliated with a public University, let alone be allowed to monopolize such a high-profile venue as the Union's Tower. Michigamua has shown a remarkable tendency to conservatively stick to tradi- tion. For example, women weren't allowed into the tower's top three floors until 1980. That concession, to create Adara for women while keeping Michigamua for men, came after a long legal struggle. A decade later, infuriated with Michigamua's stereotypical Native American rituals, action was taken by University students to end the honor soci- ety's insensitivity. Once again, Michigamua failed to act - until MSA's Minority Affairs Commission filed a charge against them. Today, the same behavior persists. Clearly, the era of University supported secret societies is coming to an end. Had Michigamua shown an ability to recognize their problems and reform themselves, the University might tolerate the loss of a few floors in the Union. But by now students, faculty and administrators should all be fed up with regulating the elitists in the top of the tower. we're all the leaders and the best. We've all danced to cheesy music and secretly loved every second of it. We've said things that we shouldn't have in the presence of those who wouldn't have. And we haven't said things we should have in the presence of those who could have. We've eaten at The Earle and The Gandy Dancer. We've slobbered at Subway and Burger King. We've drank at Dominick's, revealed too much at Rick's and tagged along to Touchdown. We've gotten messy at Mitch's, with Jerry of course, we've got- ten silly at Scorekeepers. And then we brought all of that to someone else's house An open thank-you letter to my real educators I decided to give my editors a rest this week by writing something a little less inflammatory. I figure that they do have to study for finals and all, and it is pretty dif- ficult to do that when you are receiving hate-mail by the boat- load. They work hard enough as it is. Besides, it is my last column of the school year and I figure I'm allowed to wax senti- mental. I learned a lot my 6 first years out of high school. I think a lot of' that had to do with where I was and who I was with. I joined Branden the Army in the sum- Sanz mer of 1993 and vol- OW ping unteered for duty t e with the 1st Ranger Hamer Battalion nin Savannah, Georgia. The nature of Army life, especially being in a combat unit, is so foreign to the civilian world that it is impos- sible to describe. But, in retrospect, in cer- tain ways it can be likened to living in a house with five roommates, which has been my situation for the last year. I was assigned to a squad with eight other guys and we shared every moment of each other's lives for over three years. Ours was a motley crew, with guys from all kinds of different backgrounds. You want diversi- ty? We had an Irishman from Wisconsin with a degree from UW that spent most of his off-hours playing rugby or drinking large amounts of Guinness; a star baseball player from North Carolina who got drafted by the Expos but thought it wasn't chal- lenging enough; a pretty-boy lifeguard and stud lacrosse player from Maryland who got a full ride-ride scholarship to Syracuse but came up positive for marijuana on a drug test; a bull-riding Mexican-American from Nevada who had a penchant for using long words and two high school state wrestling championships to his credit; a slow-talking farm boy from southern Illinois with the build of an NFL linebacker -just to name a few. For three years, we did everything together - running, swimming, shooting, jumping out of perfectly good airplanes and other crazy stuff. Bar-brawling. Skirt-chas- ing (on four continents, no less). You name it. If we had anything in common, it was that we were all confident, aggressive, goal oriented individuals, but that was pretty much it. We all had different ethnic, family and economic backgrounds. I learned a lot about people from my squadmates, as well as a lot about myself. The same thing has happened this year, as Ihave had the privi- lege of living with some dynamite people. I only knew one of my housemates before the school year began, and although I have some things in common with them, the dif- ferences far outweigh the similarities.. Most of my housemates grew up in fair- ly affluent, suburban white neighborhoods. I did not. Most of my housemates are quiet, studious types. I am not. Most of my house- mates dress like they stepped straight out of Abercrombie and Fitch or The Gap. I wear anything from sweats to Dr. Martens to cowboy boots. Most of my housemates are placid, non-confrontational guys. I am not above putting my hands on someone if I think it is the best way to get their attention or cure their chronic assaholia. But I have learned from them. A couple of my housemates are involved with activism groups, namely Peace Action. From John. and Andy I have learned about the nuances of social and political activism, as well as the fact that you don't have to storm the Diag or scream THOMAS KULJURGIS out your cause to get things accomplished. One of my housemates is Jewish. Before moving to Michigan, I had never had any day-in, day-out contact with someone of that religion. From Clarence, I have learned more about Judaism and what it really means to be a Jew than I ever could have in Religion 201 (with all due respect to Jedi-t Master Ralph Williams). One of my house- 7 mates is a film major. From Matt I have learned to at least understand, if not appre- ciate, how someone can get so worked up about camera angles, lighting and back- ,s ground imagery. One of my housemates is a self-pro- fessed nerd. He will admit to it. He revels in it. He even wants to be a librarian after he graduates. James is the kind of guy who I probably would have beaten up for sport in high school, but now he is one of my best friends. From James, I have learned that nerds can be cool, too. All this and much, much more they have taught me. So if you are ready to graduate and about to leave memories of your housemates behind, or if you plan on sharing a house with a group of people next year, remember this: do not dwell on the time when someone stole your milk, didn't clean the bathroom, was late with rent money or borrowed your car without asking. This is trivial bullshit. Instead, remem- ber what you learned from them and how it made you a better person. -I would like to take this chance to especially thank a man who is my total oppo- site in so many ways, but I would not have traded knowing him for anything. To my housemate, my friend and my inspiration, James "Miller on Tap, The Reverend, Rev., Seamus O'Miller' Jimmy the Saint, Miller on Crap, Conan the Librarian, The Hitman" Miller:I'll miss you buddy Take care and have fun in Virginia. Branden Sanz can be reached over e-mail at hammerhead@umich.edu. TENT-ATI~VEIY SPEA__N Off the marc Gun-permit legislation should not be enacted E very year, close to 40,000 Americans die from gunfire. The natural reaction to such a horrible statistic is to look for solutions. What can be done to change this? How can we prevent gun-related tragedies? Unfortunately, the state Senate is taking steps to do the opposite. Last week, legislation was introduced in the Senate to ease gun permit rules and make it easier to carry a concealed weapon. Despite the arguments of pro-gun activists, there is no justification for legislation of this type. To ensure the safety of Americans, legislation must be enacted to restrict guns, not supply them. Pro-gun activists and politicians think they have the best interest of the public in mind when they draft legislation easing restrictions on gun availability. If politicians and gun lobbyists were truly concerned with the safety of their fellow citizens, they would be pushing for stricter gun laws instead of more relaxed ones. Japan, a country possessing some of the world's strictest gun laws, reported 60 deaths from homicides involving guns in 1992. In the same year, the United States reported 17,971 total gun homicides. It is not hard to draw a conclusion. Fewer guns equals fewer deaths. Relaxed gun regulations not only increase the likelihood of homicides, but the likelihood of suicides and accidental gun-related deaths as well. In 1991, firearms were used in 60 percent of all sui- cides. Numerous deaths occur each year as a result of accidental shootings. In drafting legislation that eases restrictions on guns, lawmakers need to consider the fact that guns are used less often to defend oneself tha t., n- . h..t n-- 1 In addition to the nearly 40,000 deaths that occur annually in gun-related incidents, about 90,000 Americans are treated for non-fatal gun-related injuries each year. Legislation that increases the availability of guns not only accounts for numerous deaths, but numerous injuries as well. Many pro-gun activists argue that gun control tramples on the second amend- ment. There is no question that the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of Americans to own guns. But when it comes to the availability of semi-auto- matic weapons, the intent of the founding fathers comes into question. When the framers of the Constitution decided to include the second amendment, they did so to ensure the safety of Americans from rebel armies, invasion or the dangers of the wilderness. But the current interpreta- tion of the second amendment does not guarantee protection, only increased dan- ger. Guns should not be completely restricted, but there is no need to increase the availability of semi-automatic weapons. With legislation recently introduced in the Senate and already under debate in the House of Representatives, it looks likely that a bill will be passed to ease regulations on gun control and make it easier to carry a concealed weapon. But no matter how hard the politicians and pro-gun lobbyists insist, no good comes out of bills like this. In defending the bill, state Sen. David Jaye (R- Macomb) suggested that all other constitu- tional rights pale by comparison when com- pared to the right to protect one's self from a violent criminal. But this bill simply makes it more likely that the violent crimi- nalil nv- nmi v6t vEwL .-T Men's crew is dedicated and successful To THE DAILY: The most recent nationwide poll of row- ing coaches ranks the Michigan Men's Rowing Team 18th in the nation. This is a spectacular feat if you consider that men's crew is a club sport at the University. The ranking comes on the heels of Michigan's defeat of Stanford and narrow loss to row- ing powerhouse Wisconsin (crew is a varsi- ty sport at both schools.) Michigan is the only non-varsity pro- gram ranked in the top 20 in the nation. While the ranking system is relatively new, I can say that in the 12 years that I have been a fan of collegiate rowing, I have never seen a club team rise to the level of achievement of this Michigan team. The team's success can largely be attrib- uted to their ferocious work ethic. They begin practice in the first week of fall class- es and conclude their season nearly a month after everyone else has gone home for the summer. They practice six days a week year-round, including indoor winter work- outs and a spring break of double-sessions in Florida. Many Sunday afternoons I've walked my dog along the Huron River and seen team members out in singles doing Av.n wr.rm. n t.irA.unf V~( AUMATVTOic ' $y OF 1%1% CA#4" t S 4. ALI ,r° ":..145'. ..a,.,: .. ,. Kudos to the whole team and to Michigan men's coach Greg Hartsuff, and good luck to both men's and women's teams as they head into the end of the season and the National Collegiate Rowing Championships. BRIAN JAMIESON RACKHAM Degeneres's speech did not hurt knows that there is no way 10 to 20 thou- sand people would have showed up at Crisler Arena. For the lecture to be "effec- tive," the audience simply had to be willing to listen to Degeneres's message and share with those who weren't able to make it. Second, the term "too gay" is as dumb as the terms "too white" or "too black:' They don't exist except in the minds of those who use them. We all know that this world is far from being a utopia. However, using phrases such as "too gay" sets us back even further. Third, being a celebrity does not auto- m.ticanlluaesnnlr- -inan nfl nn An.. n. ti 4.