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. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@umich.edu 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