4A - Thursday, November'29, 2007
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com I
W midiig0an 4:atily
Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan since 1890.
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gg
... Sept. 11, 2001 ..."
- Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani stated this full date or a variation of it six times in last night's
Republican debate, including three times in a string of three sentences.
Leveling the playing field
q
KARL STAMPFL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
IMRAN SYED
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
JEFFREY BLOOMER
MANAGING EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors.
The Daily's.public editor, PaulH. Johnson, acts as the readers' representative and takes a criticallook at
coverage and content in every sectionof the paper. Readers are encouragedto contactlthe public editor
with questions and comments. He canbe reached atpubliceditor@umich.edu.
k---
~~~The ciawy
Winning not the only factor to look for in Carr's successor
When Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr announced
his retirement last week, fans finally began to talk
about all that Carr was besides just a winning coach.
Carr was a person who signified the integrity and character for
which the University stands. As the search for the next head coach
gets underway, University values like diversity and integrity must
be the central criteria, because they define the University even
more than its tradition of winning.
f there has been one buzz word
on people's lips since Michi-
gan football coach Lloyd Carr
retired last week,
it has been integ-
rity. Integrity is
supposedly the
value that sets
the squeaky clean
Michigan football
program and its
head coach apart
from the rest of GARY
the country. Those GRACA
who can't pass the
integrity litmus
test need not apply - and that's the
way it should be.
But there is another University of
Michigan value that hasn't gotten the
same prominence in the discussion
of who should replace Carr: diver-
sity. For the first time in almost four
decades, the University will scour the
country to find its next head coach.
This isn't just an opportunity to find a
coach who will bring national cham-
pionships to Ann Arbor: It's also an
opportunity to find a coach who will
be a leader in bringing college foot-
ball, a sport still entrenched in its
antiquated and discriminatory old-
boys-club culture, up to speed.
College football's diversity prob-
lems are no secret. According to sta-
tistics for the 2007 season compiled
by The Institute for Diversity and
Ethics in Sport, more than 54 percent
of Division I-A football players are
minorities. Although there are 120
head coaching positions, there are
only eight minority coaches. Almost
87 percent of the offensive and defen-
sive coordinators who assist the head
coaches are white too. And the whole
show is overseen by 120 athletic
directors, of whom 103 are white, and
11 conference commissioners, who
are all white males.
The inequality is brought into
greater focus when you consider
who is getting rich off of the status
quo: everybody but the players. The
players work for nothing except the
rare opportunity to make it to the
National Football League. But the
predominantly white coaches, ath-
letic departments and conferences
make windfall profits from the mar-
ketability of the programs that the
players build and lucrative television
and apparel contracts that the players
help attract. By keeping minorities
out of the top college football posi-
tions, college football programs don't
just discriminate against minorities
- they practically rob them.
The situation is begging for a vis-
ible and vocal leader. The University
stepped up to the challenge in 2003
when it defended academic diversity
at the U.S. Supreme Court, reinvigo-
rating the national attention on the
issue. Now the University can use
Carr's retirement as an opportunity
to defend diversity in college sports.
Being a leader means a lot of
things. Foremost, the University has
an obligation to recruit, consider and
interview multiple minority candi-
dates. It started off on the right foot
Monday, interviewing Michigan
defensive coordinator Ron English,
who is black. Athletic Director Bill
Martin has promised there are more
minority candidates in line, and the
Athletic Department has been com-
municating with the Black Coaches
Association, an advocacy group that
monitors minority hiring. The exact
names are being guarded like the
Manhattan Project, though.
It can't be stressed enough that
English isn't the only qualified candi-
date. CBS Sports columnist Spencer
Tillman wrote in an article earlier
this month that he believes that there
are at least 50 qualified minority can-
didates for head coaching positions,
including English. Even if these can-
didates aren't necessarily the best
fit for Michigan, the act of consider-
ing them would raise the status of
minority coaches around the league,
helping them land head coaching
positions elsewhere.
Being a leader doesn't necessar-
ily mean that the University hires
a minority head coach if the candi-
dates aren't the most qualified. It also
doesn't mean that promoting diversity
stops at the head coaching position.
Head coaches only get to those
prestigious positions by gaining
experience as offensive coordinators,
defensive coordinators and assistant
coaches. If there isn't an adequate
pool of qualified minority candidates,
college football programs have no
one to blame but themselves. Whoev-
er the University hires should respect
the value of diversity the same way
that that person will have to respect
the value of integrity. That means
hiring minority assistants and men-
toring those coaches to become head
coaches.
An opportunity
to change a
bad culture.
4
I
The University has always advocated and
recently stepped up the rhetoric concerning
the irmportance of diversity on campus. But
this call for diversity often does not extend to
the highest echelons of administration and
the Athletic Department. The University of
Michigan has never had ablack head football
coach (or University president for that mat-
ter, except Interim President Homer Neal).
The University has interviewed defensive
coordinator Ron English, who is black, but
few believe he is a serious contender. Ath-
letic Director Bill Martin insists that there
are other minority candidates under consid-
eration, but he refused to elaborate.
The University does not have to selectEng-
lish, or even another minority candidate, to
uphold its value of diversity. But it does have
to seriously consider minorities and ensure
that it is working to create an environment
that ensuresthere are more viable minority
candidates in position to take over at vacant
head coaching positions around college foot-
ball in the future. In a game with such a high
percentage of black players, it is an absolute
disgrace that there have only ever been 22
black coaches in Division I-A.
Why is it that number so low? It stems
from the fact char there are too few minor-
ity assistant coaches. The University should
do more to promote a diverse culture in its
football program, and thus around college
football as a whole.
According to rumors, LSU coach and for-
mer Michigan assistant coach Les Miles is
the frontrunner for the job. While Miles's
32-6 record with the Tigers makes it clear
that he is a winner, there are concerns about
the way he runs his programs. His time at
Oklahoma State University was marred with
suspicions and controversies that we don't
want here at Michigan.
In his last press conference, Carr stressed
the need to win - something obviously cru-
cial to an athletic program - but with integ-
rity. This is an important distinction. The
University should never tolerate a program
or coach that consistently wins but fails to
uphold other important values. A good foot-
ball coach at Michigan must graduate a very
high percentage of his players, ensure that
they are integrated into the campus commu-
nity as students and only recruit upstanding
individuals that the University will be proud
to be represented by. These ideals don't have
to conflict with winning if the University
does its homework and hires a coach that
understands and appreciates the supreme
importance of these values.
Carr proved that there are coaches who
can win with integrity, yet even his tenure
had its shortcomings. Statistics from the
NCAA put the football program's gradu-
ation rate at 73 percent, which is 4 percent
lower than the overall Division I graduation
rates. As Martin acknowledges, college ath-
letes are students first, and the ability to run
a good program that promotes the success of
student-athletes on and off the field should
be a key criterion in the selection process.
The abilityto beat Ohio State and win Rose
Bowls is certainly on everyone's wish list for
the next coach. But a lot more is expected of
the face of the University than just winning.
Building diversity from the ground
up is a model proven to work. In 1987
Hall of Fame NFL coach Bill Walsh
started the Minority Coaching Fel-
lowship when there were zero minor-
ity head coaches in the league. Two
decades later, many of the minority
coaches who went through his pro-
gram, including Tyrone Willingham,
Dennis Green, Tony Dungy and Mar-
vin Lewis, are successful head coach-
es in the NCAA and NFL. All it took
was active commitment.
Above all, the Athletic Department
has to publicly assert that when it is
deciding on a new head coach, it is
goingto make acommitmentto diver-
sity as important as a commitment to
integrity. Both should be litmus tests
for Carr's replacement.
At the University of Michigan
we expect diversity in our English
department; we should expect it in
our Athletic Department too.
Gary Graca is an associate
editorial page editor. He can be
reached at gmgraca@umich.edu.
0
a
ZACK YOST
An apology from the president of MSA
I am immensely sorry for the
profound hurt that I have inflicted
upon Michigan Student Assem-
bly Rep. Tim Hull. My despicable.
action in creating a Facebook group
that insulted Tim (Pres. draws fire
for Facebook group, 11/28/2007)
was inexcusable, and I am extreme-
ly disappointed in myself and in my
behavior.
What was originally a tasteless
and crass joke has hurt Tim deep-
ly. For those actions, all I can do is
ask for his forgiveness. I have the
utmost respect for Tim Hull, both
as a person and as a representa-
tive, and the creation of this group
directly undermines these senti-
ments. Tim has worked tirelessly
on MSA for students and perpetu-
ally proves himself as an asset.
I have never been more disap-
pointed in myself, and I take full
responsibility for my inappropriate
conduct. I have made a terrible mis-
take, which has been a disservice to
this campus. I hope that the campus
community can find it in its heart to
forgive me. More importantly, I hope
that Tim realizes how truly sorry I
am and how highly I think of him.
I will do everything I possibly can
to make this right so I can lead MSA
past this and continue to work for the
benefit of Michigan students.
Zack Yost is an Engineering
senior and president of the
Michigan Student Assembly.
4
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Emad Ansari, Anindya Bhadra, Kevin Bunkley, Ben Caleca, Jon Cohen, Milly Dick, Mike
Eber, Gary Graca, Emmarie Huetteman, Theresa Kennelly, Emily Michels, Kate
Peabody, Robert Soave, Jennifer Sussex, Neil Tambe, Matt Trecha, Radhika Upadhyaya,
Rachel Van Gilder, Rachel Wagner, Patrick Zabawa
4
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU
Hull represents true
spirit of student gov't
TO THE DAILY:
I do not wish to focus this letter on the
Facebook group demeaning Michigan
Student Assembly Rep. Tim Hull, and nei-
ther do I want to devote this space to the
absolutely despicable political moves on
display at Tuesday's MSA meeting (Pres.
drawsfireforFacebook group, 11/28/2007).
Instead, I would like to send a message
directly to Hull: I hope that this situation
empowers you to do even more to change
our university.,
I do not know Tim personally, but I
did sit next to him in a class last semes-
ter. Most people are intimidated to speak
up in 80-person lectures, but Tim was
not. Whenever the professor would ask a
question, Tim's hand was sure to be in the
air - and I'm not sure he ever got a ques-
tion wrong.
I also saw Tim on the Diag in the freez-
ing cold for about a week in April, hand-
ing out quarter sheets and asking people
to vote for him in the MSA election. He
didn't have some frivolous student gov-
ernment party ensuring a victory for him:
He did it by himself with hard work, and
he succeeded.
Legendary football coach Bo Schem-
bechler famously said, "Those who stay
will be champions." I cannot help but
think of Tim standing out onthe Diag,
embodying those immortal words - a
Michigan man, through and through.
Jeremy Borowitz
Prblic Policyjunior
MSA leadersfail to live
up to University values
TO TH E DAILY:
It is reprehensible, shocking and dis-
appointing that any University student,
especially one elected to serve as a leader
for the entire University student commu-
nity, does not exemplify through conduct
and language the values of the University.
These include critical priorities, as stated
by University President Mary Sue Cole-
man, of sustaining and enhancing diver-
sity and developing a campus climate that
privides a sense of, belonging to every
individual in our community.
The MSA leaders involved in the
egregious behavior reported yesterday
in the Daily (Pres. Draws fire for Face-
book group, 11/28/2007) bring shame
and embarrassment to the University
and have demonstrated values and
mindsets antithetical to what this Uni-
versity stands for.
Marjorie Horton
The letter writer is assistantrdean for under-
graduate educationfor LSA.
Increased gun ownership
threatens campus life
Tech shooter. Thi
it would require s
cealed, loaded we:
an individual wou
and a steady hand1
man. Errant bullet
other innocent stu
multiple students
rescue with handg
they know who w
man and who was;
Quite simply,
chased guns, such
happened. Many v
black market, but
market guns were
legally and have 1
Either way, howr
know where to bu
TO THE DAILY: It's a lot easier to fi
There have been a number of ridicu- to find some illegal
lous pro-gun viewpoints expressed in Finally, we dons
the Daily this year, but Mike Eber's col- protecting the pi
umn is particularly absurd (Guns are for from my own uni
liberals, too, 11/26/2007). Eber writes, individuals subsc
"We may not need a compelling reason order to escape th
to own a firearm other than the fact that ernment is meant,
an armed populace is necessary for the life, liberty and e:
security of a free state. If a government ernment police fo
does not fear an armed populace, then to a social contrac
that government is not truly democratic, in which we sai
because it does not need to respect the in order to enjoy
electorate's authority." proof is out there
This is a ridiculous claim. So what are tistics and the scl
you going to do if you disagree with legis- America that we a
lation, Mike, take your militia to Lansing spread gun owner
or Washington and make government not an "essential I
respect your "authority"? Should Demo- able right in Coda
crats have stormed the Supreme Court certainly not an ef
with guns blazing following the 2000 ensure that govei
presidential election? The government electorate's authoi
should fear the electorate because the
electorate holds the ability to remove offi- Zachary Robock
cials from office by voting, not violence. LSA senior
Eber writes that the Virginia Tech
shooting and violent crime statistics are
"emotional appeals to restrictgun rights." FVoundingf
No, they are evidence that gun laws need
to change. The Virginia Tech shooting not infringe
was committed with weapons purchased
legally by the gunman. The weapons for TO THE DAILY:
the Columbine shooting were legally pur- In a paper wher
chased by a friend of the shooters. torial page are ofti
A letter in the Daily last week (Firearm the Sudoku, I wasc
bans make campus less safe, 11/19/2007) Eber's column Mo
from the president of the University erals, too, 11/26/2(
chapter of the College Libertarians very disappointed
made the case that if there were more from Clement Lee
guns available to students on campus, dangerous society,
they could have thwarted the Virginia frey Harding (Gun
is is ridiculous. First, taken interpretati
tudents to carry con- hope that these dt
apons to class. Second, of the majority.
ld need precision aim Every human I
to take down the gun- cerned with the
:s could end up hitting rights. Human rig
udents. Third, what if true rights - are
came rushing to the state, but are nat
uns ready? How would from birth. When
as the malicious gun- penned, the fou
a good Samaritan? temptation of the
without legally pur- majority, to infrin
events would not have human rights wou
will surely point to the consider the full it
many of these black ing any of our prot
originally purchased relinquish them.
been sold and resold. How can we se
many readers actually liberty and prope
y a black market gun? means to do so? V
ad a gun store than it is nine amendments.
gun dealer.
ot need rogue students Chris Felesky
ublic safety. Drawing University contractor
derstanding of Locke,
ribe to government in University'
e state of nature. Gov-
to protect its citizens' empty and
state. Hence, the gov-
rce exists. We adhere
t, according to Locke, TO THE DAILY:
crifice certain rights As an alum of L
certain benefits. The ty member in the
in violent crime sta- offended by the
hool shootings across efforts to dance
re less safe with wide- compliance with
ship. Owning a gun is Disabilities Act o
liberty" or an inalien- that the "compro
ay's society, and it is University adds or
effective instrument to by 2010 - a little s
rnment "respects the sible seats require
rity." I am a physici:
ons, 11/27/2007), and
sn't represent the view
being should be con-
protection of human
;hts - the only type of
not given to us by the
ural rights that exist
the Bill of Rights was
nders knew that the
state, or a misguided
ge upon an individual's
ld be great. We should
mplications of weaken-
:ected rights before we
cure our rights to life,
erty with no physical
'ithout that, the other
are just hollow words.
s compromise
offensive
SA and current facul-
Medical School, I am
University's extreme
around the stadium's
the Americans with
f 1990. I am shocked
mise" offered by the
ly 592 accessible seats
hy of half of the acces-
d by the ADA.
an who specializes in
ith disabilities, and I
alth care system, pri-
I government too fre-
is group of people. The
iversity to the Depart-
n dated Nov. 19, 2007
versity's commitment
y of Michigan Stadium
ad unwavering." Noth-
er from the truth: This
tatement and the Uni-
othing to back it up. I
that the University is
he law rather than get
of accommodating all
an
Modern fairy tale follows
traditional gender roles
TO THE DAILY:
Like most college-aged kids, I grew up
watching Disney VHS tapes until they
broke, singing all the songs and pretend-
ing I was a princess. But when I read
Blake Goble's review of "Enchanted" (A
fairy tale you can't hate, 11/26/2007), I
was confused by his interpretation of
the film's messages.
Goble seems to think that this Disney
fairy tale has successfully removed tra-
ditional gender roles but maintained its
fantastic dignity and youthful appeal.
He states that Amy Adams's character is
"a progressive female lead," but how does
the ability to talk to animals make her
progressive? Furthermore, does a differ-
ence in animals (Snow White's squirrels,
bluebirds and bunnies vs. Giselle's "rats,
flies, cockroaches and pigeons") matter
when the activity is the same?
Giselle is cleaning, and she does it all
in pastel dresses. And what about the
fact that Giselle can't become Queen
unless she's betrothed? This little detail
actually states that a good woman such
as Giselle can't have power unless she's
attached to a man. Comparatively, the
only single woman in power is the evil
Queen Narissa. She may do bad things,
but there is an unconscious connection
made between her relationship status,
or lack thereof, and actions.
My younger female cousin saw the
film this weekend and afterward she
couldn't stop talking about the singing
and dancing. When you're 9, it's impos-
sible not to notice the effects: Every-
thing in a movie is meant to have a
visual or auditory impact.
Instead of discouraging people from
seeing this movie, I want to stress the
importance of questioning societal
norms if one is capable of doing so. My
9-year-old cousin is unable to interro-
gate the movie. Goble, as a college stu-
dent should be able to do so. He seems to
think that "(wielding) a sword, (losing)
her glass slippers and (rescuing) her true
love" effectively erases gender roles that
are presented in much more subtle ways
that he may not have even noticed.
Lauren Walbridge
LSA junior
athers would
mon gun rights
e the views on the edi-
en more puzzling than
delighted to read Mike
nday (Guns are for lib-
007). However, I was
to read the responses
(Guns make for a more
11/27/2007) and Jef-
n advocates make mis-
treating people w
know that the he
vate industry and
quentlyneglectthi
letter from the Un
aaent of Educatior
stated: "The Uni
to the accessibility
is longstanding an
ing could be furth(
is just an empty si
versity is doing ni
am disappointed1
trying to bypass t
on the forefront c
people.
Percival Pangilina
Faculty