0 0 4B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend Magazine - Thursday, February 6, 2003 Students bringing up babies ... and Ph.D.s The Michigan Daily - Weeked Migaie - E3_ ELITE ENTERTAINMENT EXPOSITIO I By Rebecca Ramsey Weekend Editor ____ _____ Its 9:00 p.m. A multitude of col- lege students have finished their time-consuming assignments. In a moment of utter relief, they anx- iously settle into recliners and turn on the television. At the exact same time, Lisa Jackson tucks her two children into their beds so that she may finally begin her homework. Every day, students complain about the amount of school and work they have to balance and often take for granted the luxuries that are presented to them, such as housing near campus and access to recreation facilities. Yet, while most students spend their time with only themselves to care for, student parents have to make sure that their children are given enough attention while worry- ing about their own midterms. "Student parents want to feel like and be treated like all the other stu- dents," said Jackson, a Rackham stu- dent. "So far, graduate school has been doable, but it's been extremely difficult. I honestly think that it's designed for people without children." Student Parenthood Misconceptions The belief that one must graduate from high school, go to college and then start a family may not be a realis- tic ideology, but the conviction is still ingrained in many people's minds. "Generally, it seems to me that the attitude has been that graduate school is not a good time to have a baby," said Jayne London, coordinator of initiatives at the Rackham School of Graduate Studies. London, a parent advocate for stu- dents with children, works closely with the Center for the Education of Women in order to relieve the hardships facing student groups that are marginalized. "Students say it's assumed that academics are the highest priority in college life, and that puts a lot of pressure on them to succeed. Things change when you have children." Misconceptions can make student parents feel inadequate in comparison to the students in their classes. In par- ticular, women can feel the emotional burden of being judged by others. "There is a special impact of the presumed criticisms of expecting women. They fear that certain profes- sors are writing them off as less seri- ous students because they are walking around pregnant," London said. Still, judgments are not only restricted to student mothers. Fathers also get a surprised reaction from the public, yet the reactions rarely seem to be negative. "People are usually a little sur- prised to see a father running around with a young baby strapped to him, and that was kind of fun," said David Fencsik, a Rackham stu- dent with a two-year-old daughter. "I suspect I get a little more leeway than a mother would." Jackson admits that she some- times feels awkward around her childless peers and that she suffers from relentless self-criticism simply from regular class activities. "If you can't meet your presenta- tion -group at the library at 8:00, its hard admitting you can't be there because you have kids. It's a very isolating feeling," Jackson said. "I have standards to uphold, and there's a lot of pressure." The ticking clock of child-rearing "A biggest drawback about being a parent and a student is that I never ANDY TAYLOR-FABE - THE EUPHIO QUESTION OIL IS MY ANTI-DRUG .. ..... ... ...... LISA OSHINSKY/Daily Raising a child in college can be a difficult experience. Kid Rock practically Invented Dirrty. BiLLBOm 1. Come Away With Me, Norah Jones - Norah's so bor- ing that even we don't feel like making fun of her. 2. Chicago, Soundtrack - It's bad enough the movie will win a shitload of Oscars, but does it have to take all the Grammys too? 3. Let Go, Avril Lavigne - Why'd ya you have to go and make things so complicated, eh? That's what Canadians say. 4. Home, Dixie Chicks - Natalie Maines is a certified beast. 5. This Is Me ... Then, Jennifer Lopez - Are Jennifer and Ben divorced yet? 6.8Mile, Soundtrack - Wow, at least he didn't release three good songs with a bunch of filler crap to accompany an overhyped movie. 7. Cocky, Kid Rock - Kid Rock: White-trash dirtball chic since 1998. 8. Under Construction, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot - Damn. Those teriyaki subs must really work. 9. ICare 4U, Aaliyah - We care 4 U shutting the hell up. U R not good. 10. The Last Temptation, Ja Rule - If it involves crucifying Ja, we'll buy it. Have you had a hankerin' for a brand-new, shiny SUV, but you don't have the cash? Worry not. President Bush's new economic plan increases the deductions that small-business owners can make on "equipment" and other business expenses, which is fan- tastic news, especially if you just have to have a business expense that gets l miles to the gallon. That's right, a much-talked-about section of the plan would make it profitable for these small-business owners to use the capital equipment deduction (which, combined with other allowed deductions, could total $87,000) to buy the biggest, gas-guzzling, road-hogging SUVs on the market. Additionally, the language used in the proposal would allow hardy small-business owners like doctors, lawyers and accountants to use the deduction. Bushies have responded to liberal criticism of the plan by citing the fact that it allows for deductions on all cars, not just the Expedition and the Canyonero (it's 12 yards long/two lanes wide/ts 65 tons ofAmerican pride). But since oversized SUVs (those heavier than 6,000 pounds) have different restrictions (due to finely-crafted loop- holes) and different depreciation rates than cars and smaller SUVs, there is an incentive to buy the bigger car. It's all very technical (read: I don't understand a goddamn word of it). The attack being launched on Bush's plan targets the con- #tradictory position that the president seems to be taking on the issue of conservation, for around the same time that Bush was further loosing the SUV demon upon our homeland, he also attempted to show his commitment to fuel efficiency. During the State of the Union Address, somewhere in- between his smirks and his prayers, he proposed that $1,2 billion be set aside for the development of fuel cell-pow- ered vehicles. He explained, surprisingly lucidly (appar- ently Dubya has been watching "Bill Nye The Science Guy" religiously), how this completely clean form of fuel could revolutionize energy consumption. So how could he propose such incompatible measures, you ask? Well, although Bush's proposals are muddled to say the least, most people do not seem to understand the depth of the treachery that is actually at play. Bush's endorsement of fuel cell technology, while it may seem progressive on the surface, should not be so comforting. Ever since fuel cell technology started to receive attention, the Republicans have been on it like stink on shit. Is this out of an environmentally-conscious desire to clean up the planet and save areas like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from being strip-mined? (Columnist laughs hinself stupid at this idea until snot begins to run down his nose,) No, you boob, it's because now they can roll back or at least cripple efforts to make regular old gasoline-powered cars more efficient. After all, why spend time and money developing more fuel-efficient cars when we'll all be driving magic fuel cell cars that expel, as Dr. Science explained during the State of the Union, "water, not exhaust fumes." The problem with this little shift in priorities is that the fuel cell cars are not exactly lining up to replace current automobiles. Beside the fact that the technology has not been perfected, you have to remember that the infrastruc- ture needed for such an industry is practically non-exis- tent. And even if it only takes a few years to install the technology at gas stations, in the meantime, the SUVs keep getting bigger and the soccer-moms driving them keep getting smaller, thinner and blonder. Now I'm not saying that fuel cell cars are apipe dream; Eventually, they will be a significant presence on the road. But Bush and his posse are so dead-set against nor- mal fuel efficiency that I can pretty much guarantee that if I went to the White House with a plan to fuel cars with chocolate syrup and cat pee, l could get at least $1.2 bil- lion in funding. In fact, what the hell am I doing writing this column? I should be working on my C.FU. (choco- feline-urinary) proposal. But the real point that should be sticking in everyone's minds is that when it comes to anything having to do with oil, Bush has a conflict 'of interests the size of Texas. I mean, has everyone forgotten that we are talking about a man who has a great deal to gain by having America con- tinue to be dependent on fossil fuels? And beyond his own personal, financial benefit (now to get really con- spiratorial ...), there is a simple line of logic that should be intuitively obvious. Under this new system, more people are able to buy SUVs; More people drive cars with crappy gas mileage, requiring more fossil fuel; more oil is needed by the U.S., so more support is given (at least tacitly) to Bush's plans for Iraq (i.e. bombing the ever-loviing shit out of it). OK, perhaps a little simplistic, but the general idea is sound. Bush's attempts to push SUVs on the public makes him no better than a drug dealer, offering his potential cus- tomers a complimentary hit to get them hooked on their drug of choice: in this case, bubblin' crude. Oil, that is; black gold; Texas tea. The first one is free, America. -Andy Taylor-Fabe can be reached at andytayl( umichedu. have as many hours in the day as I need," said Jackson. "I would love to spend more time with my chil- dren and my dissertation." Rigid schoolwork schedules also hinder a student's ability to give I El Day, Evening and Weekend Appointments (734) 971-1970 (800) 858-4992 STUDENT DISCOUNTS Complete Confidential Setting Routine Gynecological Care Low Cost Birth Control Pills Abortions through 24 weeks Medications Available - Conscious Sedation Non-Surgical Options Available RU-486/Abortion Pill - Methotrexate/Abortion Injection Emergency Contraception / Morning After Pill Ultrasounds complete attention to his or her chil- dren, even when a parenting emer- gency occurs. "You feel like a horrible person when your kids are sick and you can't stay home with them because you have a midterm that you can't miss," said Jackson. Although time constraints create difficulty, being both a student and a parent can teach one multi-tasking and organization skills. "Having a baby requires a great deal of flexibility - from lack of sleep to a sudden illness requiring a day off - and grad school allows for this in a way that a full-time job does not," said Fencsik. On a larger scale, the length of time it takes to complete schooling is greatly affected by having chil- dren. Some students find that being a parentextends the duration of their education. Suzanne Perkins-Hart, a Rackham student and mother of two, explained that women have to, be mindful that they cannot wait too long to have kids. "It takes longer and longer to com- plete your Ph.D. candidacy," she said. "Some students need five to six years for their program, and depending on if they waited to come to school, they need to be mindful that their biologi- cal clock is ticking." While some students may adjust well to parenthood, others find that college can make their experiences more difficult. Rackham student Melanie Boyd who became pregnant and had twins during graduate school, noted specific inconveniences. "There is no official maternity or paternity leave for graduate student instructors.," said Boyd. "Although we are in school, it is also a job for us." .......... ............ ...... .... . . ... ...... ...... ... . .. WHAT'S, NEWS IN ENTERTAINMENT DAYS OF THUNDER - Former "Beverly Hills 90210" heartthrob Jason Priestley recently expressed wishes to get back in the racing car circuit, just six short months after being involved in a serious crash that literally left him dead for 45 seconds before he was revived by doctors. The Internet Movie Database reports that the one-time FOX star has undergone months of physio- therapy to repair his broken feet and back and a face smashed almost beyond recognition. Priestley says, "After the memory of what hap- pened recedes, I start thinking about getting back. The thrill is to drive the vehicle to the absolute limit." Originally rac- ing orr the celebrity circuit, Priestley joined a professional dri- ving league and quickly proved his worth until his career came to a sudden hait last Sunday. TERROR AT 20,000 FT. -- England's New Music Express reports that former Hole front- woman/Kurt Cobain widow/mildly talented actress, Courtney Love was arrested upon arrival at London's Heathrow Airport Tuesday. Virgin Atlantic issued a statement alleging the 38-year-old Love became "disturptive and abu- sive" towards the crew of flight VS008, screaming and refusing to take her -first-class seat or buckle her belt. Although the airline initially planned to seek charges, yesterday they announced Love would not face prosecution. Peter Buck and Liam Gallagher could not be reached for comment as of deadline for this publication. WHAT WOULD JIM . DO? - Billboard.com reports that former Doors drummer John Densmore has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Jim Morrison and his wife, Pam Courson, against surviving band members Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger, alleg- ing that the two violated an agreement that states the Doors' name and logo can only be used by the band's original lineup. Manzarek and Krieger have been touring with ex-Cult singer Ian Istbury and former Police drummer Stewart Copeland. Densmore backed out of the tour because he developed tinnitus, a con- stant ringing in the ears common to musicians who don't wear earplugs. THE O.J. ALL STAR OF THE WEEK PHIL SPECTOR The legendary music producer of such hits as The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" and John Lennon's "Imagine" was arrested and charged for murder after a shooting Monday morning at his home in Alhambra, Calif. Spector, making his million dollar bail Tuesday afternoon, will be represented by former O.J. Simpson attorney Robert Shapiro. Cr'. . . . . See KIDS, Page lIB