4- Friday, March 30, 2007 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 1 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 413 E. Huron St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 tothedaily@umich.edu 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. CHRIS KOSLOWSKIL £ IL T MxPATU ^°'---+--"-Too long have we been marked m thinking about staging a by the brands of our oppres-A w rotest today sors1 I refuse to eat from the a e ,.etrough of greed and corruption Find a way over the " Is tat so.I yearn to graze in the open o- nce and maybe welil talk a s a ta sturesoffreedom * Da* a 00cv00 #r Q cv a Aft. 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. a 0 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