The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com GRADE BREAKDOWN High school GPA of the class of 2011 average KEY GPA of students enrolled at the University. 4.0 -r 3.7 C 33 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 1.0 t 0.7 Wednesday, October 3, 2007 - 7A n- state Out of state 0.3 0 High School GPA GPA From page 1A support and recognition that we are a state and public institution," Sanders said. "We have a responsi- bility to the citizens of the state of Michigan to have representation." But Sanders said that the ratio is simply a goal. "There are no quotas for enroll- ment on our campus at all," she said. Sanders said the admissions pro- cess is focused on the individual and that the applicant's home state doesn't factor into the way the application is reviewed. She said that while the Universi- ty aims to enroll a diverse freshmen class - including students from all over the state of Michigan and from all 50 states - academic prepared- ness trumps location. About 63 percent of last year's freshman class came from Michi- gan. In 2002, 64.7 percent of Michigan's freshmen were in-state students. The number decreased to 60.5 percent in 2005. Sanders said discrepancies between the goal of enrolling 70 percent in-state students and the actual number, which in recent years has fallen in the mid-to- low 60 range, can be explained by out-of-state students accepting or rejecting offers from the University at different rates. Factors like the cost of out-of- state tuition and students' desires to stay close to home play into the College GPA SOURCE: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN decision, Sanders said. "Some years they will accept the offer at a higher rate than others, so that often impacts the number of students who enroll," she said. Ninety-two percent of students in the University of California at Berkeley's 2007 freshman class are from California and 68 percent of students in the University of Virginia's freshman class are from Virginia. John Blackburn, the dean of admissions at the University of Virginia, said it's harder for out- of-state students to gain admission because there are more applicants for each available spot. "The out-of-state class profile is slightly stronger," he said. "It's just tougher." LSA freshman Neil Hughes from Portage, Mich., said he thinks in- state students are more prepared because of their close proximity to the University. "In-state students have more of a feel for what U of M has to offer," he said. "We hear a lot more about what to expect." At the same time, out-of-state students might have more moti- vation to succeed because they're traveling from farther away and paying more for their education, he said. MIP From page 1A to discourage someone from com- ing here." Desmond would not comment on whether he believes the state's underage drinking policies deterred students from calling emergency services for help. Neukam said that if someone really needed medical attention, she'd make the call. Butshe also said the situation would have to be seri- ous. "I think if it were really extreme and they needed help, I'd call," she said. Police officers are required by state law to issue MIP citations to drinkers under the age of21. In2004 Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a law that increased the penalties for underage drinking. It is advertised on the governor's website as one of the strongest in the nation. AccordingtoLt. Robert Neumann of the Department of Public Safety's criminal investigations unit, state law affords police officers very little discretion in the writing of MIPs. "If an officer knows about a minor in possession the officer is obligated to act on it," Neumann said. "But when somebody is suffer- ing from alcohol poisoningthe focus shouldn't be on getting an MIP but on getting help for that person." He also said he believes Ann Arbor courts are more likely to order treatment than punishment for students. CARS From page 1A of the time. That number rose to 41 percent last month. Miller said 84 new members joined Zipcar in Ann Arbor last month, bringingthe total number of customers to about 400. "We're on the right track now," Miller said. Brophy said Zipcar has been successful because it's not that expensive. For University students, a yearly membership is $35. Students who Lt. Jeffrey Nesmith oftheEastern Michigan University Police Depart- mentsaidthatwhile officers do have some discretion in handling alcohol violations, the campus police push for strict enforcement. "While it is possible that strict MIP laws could make a student less likely to seek medical attention, hopefully if someone needs help they're going to get it regardless," he said. Eastern Michigan Uni- versity operates under the same alcohol laws as the University of Michigan. Under state law, the body is con- sidered a container of alcohol, so a minor is considered to be in posses- sion of alcohol if he or she is drunk or has a blood alcohol content of .02 percent or higher. Second offenders who have vio- lated their probation can spend up to 30 days in jail. And no amnesty is offered to students seeking medical attention for themselves or others in the face of alcohol poisoning. But at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., campus police said they have more flexibility in dealing with underage drinking. Daniel McAleer, the Assistant Chief for University Police at North- western, said that students are not usually issued MIP citations simply for being drunk. "That doesn't mean that there aren't disciplinary actions waged against you," McAleer said. At Northwestern, campus police are required to write up a report on minors who have been drinking alcohol, which they then send to - and paying for car insurance. Until last month, only drivers over 21 could use the service, but now students with a clean driving record can rent Zipcars at age 18. Those who have gotten in accidents or received traffic violations must be 21 to use the service. Zipcar has more than 120,000 members and 3,500 cars through- out North America. This includes partnerships with 30 universities. To pick college locations, Brophy said Zipcar looks for towns without adequate parking and with lots of downtown congestion - both char- acteristics of Ann Arbor. Although about 40 percent of Zip- car users have been ableto complete- ly replace their personal car with the service, Brophy doesn't think car sharing will replace the city's public transportation anytime soon. Northwestern. Among students there is con- fusion about how and when it is possible to get an MIP. LSA senior Tyler Fisher, who is 21, did not know the Department of Public Safety responds to emergency calls for ambulances and like many stu- dents, was unsure about whether MIPs could be issued to students at the University hospital. "I was misinformed," Fisher said. "I think the law discourages underclassmen from seeking help. It needs changing, or it should at least be clear." While few students understand every facet of the alcohol laws, all say they wantto avoid the dreaded MIP. LSA freshman Samantha Martin has never received an MIP and has no plans to. "There'ssomuchmoneyinvolved," she said. "It's a high cost for getting a little bit of medical attention. Unless I was dying and I knew I was dying I would never call for myself." Nursing freshman Jennie Bander joked that she wouldn't call for an ambulance unless the intoxicated person did nothave a pulse. Of 23 students interviewed for this story, a few did say that they would be quick to call for help if they thought someone needed to go to the hospital. "I'd rather live and get an MIP than die," said LSA sophomore Ryan Leclerc. His friend, LSA sophomore Brian Miller, agreed. "Most people would care more about themselvesthanrtheir record," BOOKS From page 1A stores more time to order books from wholesalers without paying high shipping costs so they can get the books in time to sell them to students. Gunderson said the University should encourage professors to release their booklists early by cre- ating an online database for text- books on CTools. Professors would be required to upload the titles of book selections, their ISBN num- bers and any other notes, like the number of available copies at the library and whether they prefer a particular edition. This would give the chance to see what books are required for each class as soon as they enroll, Gunderson said. Miller said. "At least you'd hope so." LSA junior Nora Kurtz said it's difficult to know when to get an ambulance and when to just wait things out and hope for the best. "Calling for help is a really hard thing to do because you don't want to jeopardize their health," she said. "But if they get an MIP and they think they would have been OK, they're not going to be happy with you." A resident adviser in Baits I said the state's alcohol laws about underage drinking are dangerous. Speaking on the condition of ano- nymity because RAs aren't allowed to talk to the press, she said she thinks fear of an MIP prevents many students from getting medi- cal help when they need it. "They don't know what the limit is. They think they'll be okay," she said, but she added that the Univer- sity does provide alcohol education seminars in the resident halls. Engineering senior Zack Yost, president of the Michigan Student Assembly, said the state's alcohol policy is problematic, and that Stu- dent General Counsel Arvind Soho- ni, a Ross School of Business junior, is planning to meet with University Health Service and the Office of Stu- dent Conflict Resolution to help revise the University's enforcement. "University policy is supplemen- tal to state law," Yost said. Yost also said MSA plans to hold forums throughout the year to help educate students about state alco- hol policy and inform them of their rights. The task force also plans to imple- ment a program called "UBooks," a service that would link to CTools and let students list which books they want to sell. Students will be able to sell the books for more money than campus bookstores offer during buyback periods and also charge lower prices than the stores - saving money for both the buyer and seller. The task force is now beginning to implement the textbook tool and to tell professors how important it is that they release their textbook selections early. Gunderson said feedback from faculty has been positive. The task force plans to launch UBooks within either CTools or Wolverine Access by the spring with the tools completely opera- tional by winter semester of 2009. But one student said he thought become Zipcar members can rent most high schools - both in Michi- cars for $8 per hour or $60 for an gan and elsewhere - don't prepare entire day. Insurance, gas and car students for the University. maintenance are included. That "If you're talking about educa- can spell huge savings over buying tion-wise, neither one is ready," a parking space - which can cost said LSA junior Daniel Straka. more than $1,000 for a school year What is law school? A place where convention is reinforced? Or more than that? A place to learn a broad repertoire of skills. A rigorous curriculum in a supportive environment. An intersection of theory and practice. Explore the full potential of the law in a school devoted to the big picture. CALIFORNIA WESTERN SCHOOL OF LAW San Diego What law school ought to be.