4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, April 5, 2000 Zt E lCir gttn ttil Great reasons to break your own heart 420 Maynard Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109 daily. letters@umich.edu Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan MIKE SPAHN Editor in Chief EMILY ACHENBAUM Editorial Page Editor 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. And the winners are... School rankings are fundamentally flawed This column is not about an international crisis. It is not about any social or political issues either. The only subject that this column covers is what I have learned about emotional investments in my life, so feel free to stop if you don't want to read about me. I am probably too young to be making generalizations like the ones I'm about to T spew, but I will pro-, ceed regardless. ' From my point of view, life tends to be composed of trade- offs; nothing comes without a cost (direct or otherwise), and no . one person gets_ everything he or she Ethan Shalom wants. Maybe, if you Johnson are really special, you have conditioned yourself to be happy Mind with every detail of your life. Unfortu- nately, in our society, this is rather unlikely. Some individuals try hard to make them- selves fully content with each aspect of their lives, and while such an effort is valiant, many times it only leads to apathy. If nothing bothers you, then you probably don't care deeply about anything. And that is where a very important trade-off becomes apparent: The balance between emotional investment and personal contentment. The greatest feelings of happiness that I have experienced in my life have all occurred because I made a total emotional commitment to a given situation, and this applies to just about everything I have ever been involved in. Last year, when my team won Michigan's first Big Ten men's gymnastics champi- onship in 24 years and its first NCAA title in 29 years, the jubilation was like nothing I had ever felt before. All those years spent conquering one obstacle after another had culminated in triumph, and no one can ever take that away. The problem, of course, stems from the risk that when you put your heart out on the table, someone can always mash it with a baseball bat. The worst feelings of pain I have ever experienced have also occurred because I made a total emotional investment in certain aspects of my life, Last weekend, when my team fell .125 points short of repeating as national cham- pions, the pain we all felt was many times worse than back in the days when we were finishing list in the Big Ten. It might seem rather odd that placing second in the coun- try would lead anyone to feel poorly, but when you make a 100 percent emotional investment in a specific goal, anything short of that feels like total failure. Needless to say, it was very difficult to smile as we stood on the podium on Friday night to accept the runner-up trophy. ' Is this emotional roller coaster worth the extreme motion sickness that comes with the ride? Absolutely, and there are at least two good reasons for it. First, life without emotional risks is very dull and rather meaningless. If I don't care about some- thing in my life, then there is no point in getting involved in the first place. Second, the risks we take are worthwhile THOMAS KULJURGIS in themselves. This one is kind of tough t explain, but I'll try. Let's say you play in an intramural basketball league, and on the day of your most important game the other team doesn't show up, so your team wins by default. Sure, you won, but the victory is not nearly as fulfilling as winning by play- ing the game. The challenge constitutes half the fun. Likewise, it was exhilarating for me to compete in front of the largest crowd in my gymnastics career, in one of the closest NCAA finals of all time, mounting a come- back on the last two events from a steep deficit to challenge for the title. Naturally, that by no means made the end result any better from my team's standpoint. It was crushing to finish second and this pain is not one that will subside quickly. But we com- peted to win, and for that we can be proud. I have a difficult time expressing the les- son here without sounding awfully trite, but it's possible that no clear-cut answer can be found anyway. In order to be happy, yoi. cannot have endless wants, because then you do not appreciate life for its intrinsic value. On the other hand, passionless exis- tence seems empty. Maybe the lesson, then, is that even though pain is never pleasant, this experi- ence was nevertheless a positive one because we as team worked hard for some- thing that meant enough to all of us to hurt a lot when things didn't turn out as plannedO Moreover, we know what it feels like to suc- ceed after having literally given our blood, sweat and tears to Michigan athletics. I know it's a feeling I will never forget. - Ethan Shalom Johnson can be reached via e-mail at ethanj(4umich.edu. T ENTA TI VELY SPEAIN T ast week, U.S. News and World Report released its list of graduate school rankings. It is not altogether surprising that the University made a very strong showing in these rankings - the School of Social Work was rated first nationally and the School of Public Health was ranked fourth. Many University graduate schools - such as Nursing, Engineering, Education, Busi- ness and Law rated in the top ten and the Medical School tied for 12th. But despite these impressive ratings, the system U.S. News and World Report uses to compile them cannot truly determine the quality of a program. The primary factor in determining the .rankings is academic reputation; research 'xpenditures are also important for most graduate schools. But these are not the only things that determine a program's quality. For instance, the survey does not take things like quality of teaching into account, even though teaching quality is one of the most important parts of the educational experience. Using research expenditures as a factor means that schools with smaller budgets or that are not as research-oriented may get short shrift in the ratings. Many of the criteria used in college rankings are also biased towards private universities. This is especially true of the undergraduate rankings, where selectivity and alumni donations figure heavily into the selection. It is difficult for public uni- versities to compete with Ivy League schools in the field of alumni contribution, because these schools frequently have more wealthy donors. Being less selective is not necessarily a flaw - it allows for a more diverse student body and having students from all different backgrounds adds to the quality of a school rather than detracting from it. College rankings are not completely worthless, of course - many prospective students find them helpful in selecting a school. But they would be far more helpful if they took into account more of what actually goes on in the classroom, rather than looking primarily at things like reputa- tion and alumni contributions. Considering the aspects of education that benefit stu- dents the most would lead to a better way of determining a school's quality. G U11 JS ! sA Q us ITh U u. '1ZQUt v E s ro E $OLb ' S % e'r"Y WA~4'1&G5 Greek ain't w Greek Week shows value of Greek system he Greek system has not garnered much positive publicity on campus over the last few years. Mired in hazing controversies, negative press has over- shadowed the good things that fraterni- ties and sororities are involved in. But as Greek Week winds to a close, students have been reminded that the Greek sys- tem does contribute to the University and its surrounding community. While the fraternities and sororities participating in Greek Week compete in a number of events. And the good news is, the proceeds go to charity. This year, Camp Heartland -- a camp for children infected with the HIV virus - will again be the primary recipient of Greek Week proceeds. Other campus charities, including the Court- ney Cantor Scholarship, the Jeff Reese scholarship, the Alzheimer's Foundation and SAFEhouse will also receive dona- tions. If results are anything like last year when Camp Heartland received $40,000 and $25,000 more was given to local charities, Greek Week will once again be considered a success. Greek Week also provides an oppor- tunity for the Greek system to exercise the ideals of brotherhood and sisterhood upon which it was founded. Members of the Greek system are quick to point out the comraderie that is felt around cam- pus during Greek Week, not only between large chapters or members of the same team, but between all houses on campus. The community service aspect of Greek Week is its greatest attribute, but the demonstration of team- work and friendship it provides is posi- tive as well. Bad publicity seems to stick more than good publicity. Granted, the Greek system at the University has experienced its share of troubles over the past few years. But Greek Week reminds us that overall, the fraternities and sororities contribute positively to the University. With a solid showing of community ser- vice and teamwork, Greek Week reminds all students of what the Greek system can be. Wheeler's column was 'not very funny' To THE DAILY: Considering that the University of Michi- gan has its own history of riots when the school's basketball team loses a game in the mens final four, you would think that Daily columnists would be a bit hesitant to continu- ally make jokes about what happened at Michigan State University last year. Apparently Maize and Blue arrogance is just too all consuming for that. Witness Jacob Wheeler's not very funny April 4 column ("East Lansing fans take to streets out of hap- piness"). Wheeler bases the entire column on the exaggeration that there is nothing left in East Lansing. He doesn't throw it in as a jab or a snide side comment. It is the premise of the piece! To pad the column, Wheeler throws in a bunch of references to the amount of alcohol being consumed at victory celebrations. What is his point? Since the implicit argu- ment of the entire piece is that the University is still a better school full of better people than MSU, is he trying to say that this would not happen in Ann Arbor? Wheeler can't be so stupid as to think that University students don't drink ? Bet he is apparently smug enough to imply it in his column. MICAH HOLMQUIST LSA SENIOR Trees should not have been cut down TO THE DAILY: What was the university thinking when they decided to chop down the pine trees at the corner of Fuller Rd. and Bonisteel Blvd. (on the way to North Campus)? North cam- pus is known for its beautiful, natural envi- ronment; and now, part of that environment is- gone. What could possibly be more beneficial to the university (and the Earth for that mat- ter) than a forest of oxygen-producing trees that are so characteristic of North Campus' beauty and Ann Arbor's charm ? LINDSAY SHIPPS DAVE LAMSE SCHOOL OF MUSIC. :1. iV , L GRAP, ! f; s cs v tt, aus !! , , +4 i ' Mbat Lt S wtc . 5p~ur b... 'U' needs to offer better services for LP 1 women TO THE DAILY: In the editorial entitled "U should offer co-ed dorm housing" (4/3/00), the Daily commented that "the University is usually on the leading edge of breaking issues and opportunities. In 1870 the University was the first large American institution of high- er education to admit women. Although the editorial was a great argument for the need for students to voice their opinions and to create a Uni- versity that desires to be the "leaders and the best," I would have to say there are much more pressing issues that this Uni- versity needs to address instead of co-ed dorm housing. Especially if the Universi- ty wants to maintain its stature as an insti- tution "on the leading edge of breaking issues and opportunities." Many students do not realize they have peers who do not have the opportunity to live safe and affordable housing. This is especially true for students with children and dependent responsibilities. Since most of us are liv- ing off financial aid and part-time jobs what we can afford is often below stan- dard and outside of Ann Arbor. Many individuals do not realize that for those of us who are unable to work fulltime because of answerabilities such as school and children, we find it impos- sible to have decent health insurance for our children and ourselves. Unfortunately MSA health care does not cover depen- dents or most expenses. In addition the University has a limited number of day- cares whichsare above average in cost (between $650-S800 a month). Thus day- care at the University is not accessible to many students with children. Before we address freedoms of choice such as living in co-ed dorm rooms we need to discuss greater issues on hand. The issues being that the University does not protect the necessary rights of hous- ing, health care and daycare for its stu- dents. If the University wants to carry on its legacy as being on the leading edge of women's rights, breaking issues and opportunities, there will have to be some serious changes. For as of now it is a dis- grace as to how student parents and their children are considered on this campus. But, if there are to be changes to be made it has to start now and here. For those interested in learning more and supporting ideas on how to make this a more child and parent-friendly University, check out the Feminist Fair on April 6. It will be held on the Diag from 11-4 p.m. There will be information and a petition for; those to sign if they believe this Universi- ty can better itself through expanding rights for women, parents and children. JENNIFER MONAHAN LSA SENIOR Movin' on up U'/WCC agreement is good for both sides n an historic agreement with the Uni- versity, students enrolled in a two-year program at Washtenaw Community Col- lege could be guaranteed immediate admission into the College of Literature, Science and the Arts. If WCC's Board of Trustees approves the agreement at the end of this month, hundreds of students could reap financial and educational bene- fits. For students who take time off from school, students denied admission to the University in high school and students with limited funds, this proposal makes sense. Besides being fiscally sensible, WCC is an excellent institution for learn- ing -with extensive resources, small classes and even several professors who have taught at the University; it is a solid stepping-stone for reaching the University. Fifty students will reap the benefits of the program in its first year of implemen- tation; the number may increase to 150 over several years. Provided the WCC stu- dents maintain a 3.25 grade point average and fulfill certain course requirements, such as race and ethnicity, they will be have guaranteed admission into LSA. This program is identical to an agreement between WCC and the School of Nursing. Other schools, such as the Engineering and Architecture schools, have similar programs, minus guaranteed admission. Guaranteed admission into a presti- gious undergraduate liberal arts college should spur WCC students to succeed in both their WCC and University classes. Inspired students try harder in class and are an asset to the University. By getting their requirements out of the way ahead of time, WCC students should also have a smoother transition to the University, making their education that much' stronger. It is encouraging that the University is welcoming transfer students with open arms. To replace the 500 students who transfer out of LSA each year, students are admitted from other colleges. It makes sense to admit students who have fulfilled their basic requirements and are used to a regiment similar to LSA's program. The I'm sure plenty of students are pleased to hear about Sen. Alma Wheeler-Smith's (D- Salem Twp.) proposal to create a free tuition proposal (also known as HELP), more than likely an unprecedented attempt at education reform in the state of Michigan. I agree wholeheartedly that college tuition is an extremely difficult obstacle to overcome for students wishing to obtain a strong education at a public university. My concern with HELP is how Sen. Wheeler-Smith expects to create a free tuition system without a fairly broad quid pro quo stance on the issue. If we take tuition money from the University's hands, how can admin- istration expect to maintain the strong acade- mic reputation at state universities if we're bending," the extra funding would have to come from some other resource. Unfortu- nately, the only other sources of income would be private donations from alumni or from the already-drained pockets of non- Michigan residents attending state-supported institutions.' Okay, I'm going to go out on a limb and be selfish for a second: My parents and I currently pay upwards of $27,000 per year to keep me at a college 2,000 miles away from home; this is by no means a simple task. Now, let's think reasonably here. If a Michigan resident is attending the Universi- ty free of charge, should I be expected to foot the bill for his/her free education? Absolutely not. (students that don't pay taxes to the state of V Michigan, mind you) for this "free" tuition policy. I'm sure several in-state students would agree as well, since the proposal may affect them as well. According to Smith's November 29th statement to Gov John Engler's commission, "Individual tax payers with an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less are eligible for HELP, joint tax filers with an adjusted gross income of S100,000 or less also qualify for HELP." In other words, the in-state students whose families don't fit into these categories would probably expect a tuition hike too. Smith's constituents simply will not support a proposal as such, for it will most likely send more Michigan residents to out of state schools and clos.e the doors on international c ® f-i aTs -i3 ie d3-ii- T II 'U.1 VL~~ Y1l33MMit 11'