4- Friday, March 30, 2007
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 1
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0
KARL STAMPFL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
IMRAN SYED
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
JEFFREY BLOOMER
MANAGING EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position ofthe Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
Plastic problems
Credit card abuse presents wrong image of University
U niversity President Mary Sue Coleman has consistent-
ly defended the University's use of the state funding it
receives, but Coleman has a lot to explain now that allega-
tions of rampant violation have surfaced in its credit card-issuing
program for employees. An internal audit last month uncovered
frequent abuse of the program, and the administration faces many
questions about whether it is using state funds responsibly. The
University must better disclose how it uses its state funds and
crack down on violations in its programs, or risk losing support for
its continued crusade for more state funding.
Homosexual activists are using legitimate concern
for student safety as a Trojan Horse to sneak
their special rights agenda into law. "
- American Family Association of Michigan President Gary Glenn on an anti-bullying bill passed in the
state House, as reported yesterday by The Associated Press.
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No more Mr. Nice Guy
The 2006 audit found that $112 million
was spent by employees who hold Univer-
sity-issued cards known as P-Cards. While
this may be a miniscule part of the Univer-
sity's budget, two-thirds of that amount
was spent by only 20 percent of employees
who hold these cards. Additionally, one
employee was found to have spent $86,704
on a personal vacation to Florida, a bug
zapper and a trip to a weight loss clinic,
among other things.
Part of the problem with the P-Cards is
a general lack of oversight. Purchases on
the cards are supposed to be monitored
by an "approver," but each approver is in
charge of monitoring between 50 and 100
employees, which can be an overwhelm-
ing task. Employees have also figured out
how to avoid raising red flags that go up
when they make purchases of more than
$5,000; they simply split large purchases
into smaller ones.
In order to correct the problem, the
University should start with some of the
recommendations offered by the auditors.
Obviously, oversight must improve. The
responsibility to approve large purchases
should be shifted from low-level supervi-
sors to an appointed University official.
Delegating authority to an office with
more authority would provide a check-
point to catch any frivolous spending.
At the lower level, approvers should be
better trained to catch inappropriate pur-
chases and face discipline if illegal activ-
ity slips past them. Hiring more approvers
to cut down on the number of cases per
person may be difficult because it would
require cutting more checks, but it may be
necessary.
But oversight isn't always enough: The
P-Card program itself should be reevaluat-
ed, too. The current system allows employ-
ees to have credit lines up to $250,000 in
some cases. When most employees need
no more than $15,000 a year, installing a
cap on credit lines could go a long way in
alleviating waste. Since each credit card
has the employee's own name on it, the
University needs to be doing credit checks
on those applying for these cards to pre-
vent individuals with poor spending hab-
its from obtaining cards.
Ultimately, this credit card scandal is an
embarrassment to the University. Coleman
is in the middle of trying to lobby the state
for more funding, and lawmakers have a
reason to be hesitant if the University is
seen to be wasting what it's being given
already. The current addition of monitor-
ing software is an improvement, but the
recommendations of the audit team should
be implemented as well.
Students are supposed to be the ones
dealing with credit card debt, not the Uni-
versity.
Chivalry is dead, and women
killed it. It died because women
saw right through it.
If you ever meet me, you won't want
me to describe you as nice. Nice means
you didn't rock the boat and challenge
me. Nice means boring. Nice means I
don't really have anything good to say
about you or any-
thing bad to say,
either. Nice means
that, in my eyes,
you've lost your
chance at a stop-
and-chat because
you won't have y
anything but nice-
things to say. JAMES
We live in a soci- DICKSON
ety that doesn't
reward nice.
Instead, we punish it and view those
self-styled do-gooders with suspicion.
And we should, because more often
than not they have got something up
their sleeves. Nice people don't want
to be nice; they want to get nice.
I'm in the midst of a revolution of
sorts to remove from my neck the alba-
tross of day-to-day niceties that really
aren't all that kind. These everyday
niceties include saying we'll stay in
touch when we didn't get along the
one time we hung out, marking Face-
book invitations as "Maybe Attend-
ing" when I know full well that I'm not
going and asking how someone's day is
going when I couldn'tcare less. I could
go on, but you get the point.
But if there's one permutation of
expected niceness that rubs me the
wrong way; it's that of the self-pro-
claimed "nice guy." Not the hold-
doors-open type guy or the one who
walks his friends home safely after
a night of drinking, but that guy
with something up his sleeve. This
is the man who buys women drinks
in return for conversation or the guy
who offers the world to any woman
willing to give him attention, if not a
little extra.
Don't get me wrong. Respect-
able people can and should be kind
to the people who support them. But
respectable people know that there's
always enough credit, enough atten-
tion and enough people to go around,
so they empower their friends. They
treat the people around them with
respect. This means children, elderly
people and even store clerks who
aren't treating them kindly. They
don't treat women like special, unique
creatures or put people on pedestals
because of their beauty.
I wonder just how nice these nice
guys really are anyway. The test I
apply in these cases is whether the
guy would have done the same thing
if the object of his gentleness were a
man, or even a woman who the man
had no romantic interest in. If people's
kindness isn't universal, their motives
appear as plain as day - they just want
to advance their standing or get some-
thing they want.
I'll never forget one experience
I had with a person like this. It was
a snowy day and a girl needed a ride
to the airport. Her co-worker, a nice
guy, wanted to give her that ride, but
he didn't have a car. He scrambled. He
called everyone he knew, sent instant
,messages and. begged until a friend
gave in and let him borrow her car.
Everything was all set until his
friend called back to say that her car,
a low-rider, would not fare too well in
the impending blizzard. Now, the girl
would need to find another ride to the
airport.
Where have
all the nice
guys gone?
After going through so much trou-
ble to be the girl's provider, to chauffer
hertothe airport amidstblizzards,the
guy suddenlybecame the bearer ofbad
news: She would have to ride Airbus or
find another friend. She was fine with
it, but he wasn't. For her, all she had
lost was a ride to Metro Airport. But
for him, he had lost his chance to be
"that guy."
"Here, thanks for nothing," he said
before slinging the keys onto the table
in the direction of his friend. Before
she could respond he had left without
even making eye contact.
Some nice guy.
James Dickson can be reached
at davidjam@umich.edu.
6
6
Editorial Board Members: Emily Beam, Kevin Bunkley, Amanda Burns,
Sam Butler, Ben Caleca, Mike Eber, Brian Flaherty, Mara Gay, Jared
Goldberg, Emmarie Huetteman, Toby Mitchell, David Russell, Gavin Stern,
John Stiglich, Jennifer Sussex, Neil Tambe, Radhika Upadhyaya,
Rachel Wagner, Christopher Zbrozek
Write for Daily Opinion this summer. Columnist spots available.
(You don't even have to be in Ann Arbor.)
Email editpage.editors@umich.edu for more information.
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SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDL
Stereotyping Christians ter, Roberts, an
rectly points out
part of the problem projects are occu
but the facilitiesa
TO THE DAILY: the University's e
I was appalled to read Toby Mitchell's are deteriorating..
column Wednesday (Sex, God and terror- Roberts points to
ism, 03/28/2007), which opened with the auditorium that
comment that college students must make a and the graffiti ca
choice between the irrational comfort of reli- I congratulate Rot
gionandrationalknowledge.He continuesby problems to the a
callingrationalthinkers withreligiousbeliefs community, but h
"naveatbest."Ibegtodiffer. the University, de
As a devoted Christian and an aspiring ed for the amoun
intellectual, I don't think that "intellec- in. Schools and de
tual refinement and faith are opposed" at profitable have t
all. These blanket statements attempt to looked.
reveal telling stereotypes about people of At the Univers
religious faith but are just as disturbing profitability of a d
because they lack validity. Mitchell brings cal condition. Lot
up several argumentsrelated tokillings in glamorous renova
Rwanda and other disasters that apply to a underway at the R
small minority of the religious population made possible by:
worldwide. Using extreme examples to alum Stephen Ros
present the irrationality of religion is not renovated facility1
accurate or fair; simplifying Christianity of home like a luxu
to isolated examples is not at all a clear designed to attrac
picture of the essence of our religion. staff and, of cours
The rest of the article is rampant with Less profitable:
other generalizations about "anti-gay big- have an assigned
ots" and even includes a comment equat- have offices tucker
ing terrorism to a clash between religion remember when L
and modern society. In fact, so many ed back in the late
other cultural, political, economical and many historic Cen
social factors culminate to make terror- to be updated an
ism an issue today. 1980s were a time
Mitchell writes that "the modern world in Michigan, yet tI
is hardly suffering from an overabundance Hall were a full 1
of faith, hope, love and tolerance." This that swept acros
statement goes for all ofus, religious or not. Duderstadt regim
Calling each other names and advancing tainly no small co
stereotypes isn't going to help if we want versity president;
to make the world a better place. Articles Shapiro - an econ
like Mitchell's that perpetuate stereotypes
just show that maybe the "anti-gay bigots" Brian Durrance
aren't the only ones who need to practice Alum
what they preach.
economics major, cor- dren's cartoon
that major renovation intended to ri
tring all over campus, created by the
at Lorch Hall, home of Any true T
conomics department, turtles were
Among his complaints, book not me,
the seats in the main Co-creator of
are poorly cushioned producer of th
rved into the desktops. the TMNT itt
berts for bringing these movie is true
ttention of the campus the Shredder
he should know that at first issue oft
partments are reward- O'Neil is not
at of money they bring Mondo Geckc
partments that are less and Rockstea
raditionally been over- exist. And las
ally befriend t
ity, you can judge the Another thi
epartment by its physi- be surprised t
ok no further than the that all four t7
ution project currently - the colorsv
oss School of Business, them apart. A
a $100 million gift from pizza (this wa:
s. When completed, the
will have every comfort Justin Hind
rious dining facility, all LSA sophomore
ct high quality faculty,
e, visiting alumni. C
departments don't even College)
classroom space and
d away in dark corners. I Bring it
Lorch Hall was renovat-
1980s. It was the first of TO THE DAIL
tral Campus structures I am writir
d air-conditioned. The day's front
of economic stagnation Zatkoff, the n
he renovations at Lorch Michigan Fed
0 years ahead of those licans (For ne
s campus during the 03/28/07). I r
e of the 1990s. It is cer- reinvigorating
incidence that the Uni- and looked do
at that time was Harold two goofy whi
omics major. polo shirts. Nc
oTT a-aT,._
on television. In fact, it is fights? It will b
ght the wrongs that were many more ret
TV cartoon. punched in the
MNT fan knows that the up over the nes
created as a gritty comic around campus
ant for kids. Peter Laird, toes"? Really Za
the comic and executive In the petulai
he movie, was trying to get Bush, "bring itc
sage back to its roots. The
to the real turtles. First, Nate Brunner
is dead (he dies in the LSA senior
the comics). Second, April
a news reporter. Third,
, Scumbag, Krang, BeBop Column n
dy do not and should not
tly, the turtles do eventu- DetrotP
he Foot Clan.
e interesting to see how
torts of this guy getting
face by crazy lefties turn
xt few years. The liberals
will have to "be on their
tkoff?
ntwords ofyourPresident
Qn."
nisrepresents
roject's efforts
without The Detroit Project's aid. Gay's
column unfortunately represents a rein-
forcement of negative stereotypes about
Detroit and its community members and
leaders. The community organizers we
have had the pleasure of working with in
Detroit are empowering. Detroit is not a
city that shirks its duties; it does its work
for itself.
Finally, the culmination of our service
learning tomorrow is not called Detroit
Day, but, DP Day. Although this is just
one day of service learning, it serves as
a starting point for many students who
have never visited Detroit or ever partici-
pated in service-learning work. We hope
DP Day will spur students on to a dedica-
ng that Zwiebel might also
o learn about the turtles is
urtles wear red headbands
were made to help kids tell
lso, the turtles do not eat
s done for the kids, too).
Republicans:
on'
.Y:
og in response to Wednes-
page story about Justin
ewly elected chair of the
eration of College Repub-
w leader, a grand old party,
ead Zatkoff's quote about
the College Republicans
own at the picture to find
ite guys in khaki shorts and
o surprises there.
n complaining, being a goofy
self. I found it interesting
ccasions this kid claimed to
cked byleft-winghooligans.
he got punched in the face
n a drunken altercation and
ng blog blamed it on leftist
her time he claimed to have
in the face by a member of
ier yet, in the cover photo-
of looks like Zatkoff may
ye. Maybe he was attacked
.U lawyers.
kind of leadership the Col-
ans across the state want?
me sort of magnet for politi-
Is he just prone to starting
TO THE DAILY: tion to Detroit. A
While the Detroit Project is grateful ple, DP Day mar
for the publicity given to us by Mara Gay and meaningful
in her column Tuesday (Beyond service, Detroit.
03/27/07), we wish she would have accu-
rately represented our organization. Christina John:
The Detroit Project is not a group LSA senior
focusing on physical change. Our orga-
nization is dedicated to uniting Ann
Arbor and Detroit through service-learn- Dance Ma
ing programs, which differ greatly from
traditional "service." Service-learning deserves b
entails establishing and maintaining
partnerships and relationships; educa- TO THE DAILY
tion and reflection. This much is reflected I was disapp
by our programs and by the educational coverage of the
events we host on campus, which pro- of Michigan Da
vide members with a strong contextual years, dance go
knowledge of the groups with which they day's edition fet
are working. cle on this incr
Gay emphasizes the importance of even come closs
community organizing. Oddly enough, amount of effor
so does the Detroit Project; it's a major in our commun
endeavor of ours. It is unfortunate she marathon.
neglected to accurately represent that Arguably one
fact. We have worked with the Bright- successful stude
moor Alliance, a coalition of churches and pus, UMDM ce
organizations in northwest Detroit, for more than the c
nearly a decade. We participate in activi- member of this
ties with them to further their goals and tee, I can say fr
encourage more community involvement that the hundre
in the city. We work in partnership with moralers and sp
additional community organizations and nary amount of
leaders in the city who have dedicated and deserve to 1
their lives to improving their communi- Marathon is an,
ties. Many of our members go on to be to our communi
involved in additional community orga- be celebrated for
nizing after graduation. and for the truly
Gay suggests that without our efforts, brought to the lb
these tutoring and mentoring programs in Michigan.
would not exist. This is flatly untrue.
Our partner organizations are fully Caitlin Barton
capable of continuing these programs LSA senior
nd indeed, for many peo-
ks beginning of a lasting
connection to the city of
son
irathon
etter coverage
ointed with the Daily's
10th annual University
nce Marathon (After 10
es on, 03/26/07). Mon-
atured only a small arti-
edible event and didn't
e to doing justice to the
rt that so many people
ity put into this year's
of the largest and most
nt organizations on cam-
rtainly deserves a little
one shoddy article. As a
year's Morale Commit-
om first-hand experience
ds of planners, dancers,
onsors put an extraordi-
work into the Marathon
be congratulated. Dance
asset to our campus and
ty as a whole and should
agreat 10th anniversary
y amazing changes it has
ves of so many great kids
Charlotte Sandy
LSA freshman
Follow the money to
comfortable seating
TO THE DAILY:
I read with some amusement a letter
to the editor by Dan Roberts (Lorch Hall
needs a touch-up, 03/28/2007). In his let-
'Trtles' review wasn't
true to real fans
TO THE DAILY:
In reference to Elie Zwiebel's review
of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles movie (New 'Turtles' no party,
03/26/2007), Zwiebel should have done a
little research. The movie is not supposed
to coincide with what many viewers seem
to think was the original TMNT, the chil-
Not that I'm
white guy my
that on two oc
have been attar
But in reality,
by his friend it
some right-wi
thugs. The oth
been punched
BAMN. Funni
graph it kind
have a black e
by crazed ACE
This is thel
lege Republic:
Is this guy son
cal violence? I