4A - Monday, March 3, 2008 I The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom 1,60diian :4alg Edited and managed by students at the University ofMichigan since 1890.' 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@umich.edu cc NJABL E QUOTABLE The idea that Scrabble belongs to a corporation is something that people don't or are unw1lling to accept." -John Williams Jr., executive director of the National Scrabble Association, on the popularity of Facebook's Scrabulous, which is being threatened with legal action by Mattel and Hasbro, as reported Saturday by The New York Times. Redesigning theeng 4 ANDREW GROSSMAN EDITOR IN CHIEF GARY GRACA EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR GABE NELSON 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, Paul H. Johnson, acts as the readers'representative and takes a critical look at coverage and content in every section of the paper. Readers are encouraged to contact the public editor with questions andcomments. He can be reached at publiceditor@umich.edu. FROM TH E DAILY Graduated pay GEO and'U' would benefit from a new salary approach urrent seniors will remember March 24,2005 as one of the most bizarre days in their time at the University. As gradu- ate student instructors picketed during a one-day walkout called by their union, the Graduate Employees' Organization, stu- dents and faculty found themselves divided over whether to join the lines, cross them and go to class or - as some did - taunt the pick- idting GSIs. Many, if not most, of GEO's demands at the time were reasonable - as is the case in its current negotiations with the Uni- versity. However, there are two sides to this issue. If the University and GEO want to ensure that the current negotiations prove benefi- cial and feasible for both sides, they must take a more flexible and individualized approach to salaries. here's a big idea on North Campus, that civilized wil- derness LSA students might remember from bus trips to visit friends in Bursley and Baits. It comes from the office of James Duderstadt, the former Univer- sity president who is now an elder statesman. He's a KARL lot like Bill Clin- ton in that respect STAMPFL - except instead of trying to get his wife elected president, Duderstadt writes books and reports and comes up with big ideas. Like most big ideas, his latest one is challenging. Like most big ideas, it will be met with staunch resistance. But like few big ideas, it might just work. Last month, Duderstadt released a report titled "Engineering for a Changing World." Here are the basics: Shift engineering education to the graduate level, much like law and medicine. That way, future engi- neers would have a chance as under- graduates to get the broad liberal arts education that doctors and attorneys have. Thus, when engineers delve into the nitty gritty details of kine- matic chains, they'd be armed with an abstract base of knowledge from their wistful undergrad days. So when professional engineers are developing brain implants to improve intelligence, they could draw on the science fiction novels they read in Prof. Eric Rabkin's undergrad sci-fi literature course: prophetic tomes that warn against such technology. That's a crude example, but you get the idea. Among other effects - you can read about them in an electronic ver- sion of the report, which is linked to this column at michigandaily.com - Duderstadt envisions this shift as a boon to the number of engineers who take on leadership roles in society. Duderstadt is himself an engineer- leader, a common archetype in rising countries like China but a rarity in an American government dominated by lawyers and businessmen. While opinions on campus are mixed about how successful his tenure as presi- dent was, few argue the fact that he brought a new perspective to campus that led to innovation, like it or not. But is it possible to lead such a change at the University, with its massive bureaucracy and its legions resistant to change? Duderstadt says yes. He tells the story of a private 1985 conversation he had with then-Har- vard President Derek Bok in which Bok explained that the University of Michigan's size affords it to take more risks. if the gamble fails, Bok said, the University is better suited to absorb the fallout. Harvard may have deeper pockets, but the University of Mich- igan's breadth gives it the advantage of not risking complete destruction on account of one academic unit's miscalculation in innovation. The University 'of Michigan is the perfect place to begin the shift to graduate engineering education for another reason: the automobile industry. The U.S. auto industry is collaps- ing, with middle-class factory jobs escaping to places where the labor is cheaper. This exodus of manufactur- ing jobs is in turn slaughtering Mich- igan's economy. Up until the other 49 states joined it, Michigan was com- monly described as being in a "one- state recession." The only antidote seems to be a bet- ter-educated workforce, the mythical "knowledge economy" to which state legislators give so much lip service but so little actual funding. The high- er cost of living here means Ameri- cans cannot be cheaper labor - but they can be better-educated labor. They can be more imaginative. Only, though, if they occupy some kind of niche. That niche may be a different breed of engineer, one who has the education not just to tinker but also to realize the larger effects of tinkering. An undergraduate liberal arts degree with a dual concentration in environmental sciences and public policy, for instance, gives the gradu- ate automobile engineering student a newmindset. Howcanautomakersbe more environmentally conscious but stay profitable? How can we make a car that lessens our dependence on foreign oil? Should we even be talking about "cars" rather than "vehicles" or some other as-yet-unimagined type of transportation? Why engineers should be a little more like lawyers Those are the questions American engineers need to be asking them- selves more often. I'm still not convinced that Dud- erstadt's report is going to take engi- neering education down the saie path that medical education took after the publication of the Flexner Report in 1910, which helped raise standards at medical schools and redefine how doctors function in society. But if it does, what better place to start the journey than the University of Michigan? Karl Stampfl was the Daily's fall/ winter editor in chief in 2007. He can be reached at kstampf@uniifi.edb. For GEO to ask the University for more money might at first seem absurd. Graduate student instructors are granted many ben- efits that would make undergraduates drool. As they work toward a prestigious degree from a top university, GSIs receive compen- sation for their entire tuition plus an annual stipend of more than $15,000 for only about 20 hours of work per week. That's not a bad deal for a lot of GSIs, but that doesn't mean it's good for everyone. Trying to support a family with that sum is a laughable notion. Likewise, while a free education might appreciate in value over time, that isn't really consolation today for, -you know, food. GSIs face other problems that scoffing undergrads may not consider. They are paid only for nine months and have to find other options during the summer. GSIs with young children must overcome the lack of adequate childcare services and overall difficulty of being both a parent and aistudent. Despite these real concerns, it's difficult to completely side with GEO. The University itself faces debilitating cuts in state fund- ing every year and has had to raise tuition regularly in recent years. In the interest of minimizing further tuition hikes, keeping down class sizes and maintaining a high standard of education, the University will have the sympathy of many people on cam- pus if it throws its hands up at GEO's latest demands. But that's not a solution. In demanding a 9 percent raise this year for all GSIs, GEO is apparently blind to the fact that many of its members are well enough off without that raise. In countering thus far with an offer of a 3 percent raise, the University is ignoring the fact that some GSIs truly need more than that based on extenuating personal circumstances. In a perfect world, GEO's demands would be met, but with a reality of state funding cuts and tight belts, the University can- not provide a 9 percent increase across the board. An individualized system of need assessment, similar to financial aid, is per- haps the most reasonable amelioration the University can offer in response to GEO's financial demands. Other demands - such as adequate child care and health benefits, and parental leave - must, of course, be met right away. A comprehensive solution to this issue of compensation must, however, go beyond even that. It is the University's purported desire to build the best intellectual envi- ronment possible. Toward that end, a reas- sessment of compensation for instructors at all levels is long overdue. While ten- ured, research-happy professors may.truly deserve that six-figure salary, it is simply not right that many lecturers who devote just as much time and are just as vital for students are compensated so poorly (and often on a nine-month calendar). The University obviously does have to pay its all-star professors in order to keep their eyes from wandering, but it must also consider that excellent lecturers and GSIs are often more important to students. Stu- dents may scoff at GEO's current financial demands, especially because they could raise tuition, but we'd be much more open to a broader solution that more fairly com- pensates all of our instructors. That is a goal worth spending money on. EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS: Emad Ansari, Harun Buljina, Anindya Bhadra, Kevin Bunkley, Ben Caleca, Satyajeet Deshmukh, Milly Dick, Mike Eber, Emmarie Huetteman, Theresa Kennelly, Emily Michels, Arikia Millikan, Kate Peabody, Robert Soave, lmran Syed, Neil Tambe, Matt Trecha, Kate Truesdell, Radhika Upadhyaya. Rachel Van Gilder, Rachel Wagner, Patrick Zabawa. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor. Letters should be less than 300 words and must'include the writer's full name and University affiliation. All submissions become property of the Daily. We do not print anonymous letters. Send letters to tothedaily@umich.edu. L E- E SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU Fairlypaid GSIs and reasonable Wition aren't mutually exclusive my iPod, I look innm there - but not thi clipping it to my I When I got to sche freaking out yet, I( TO THE DAILY: usual places I migh I appreciate Eric Kumbier's concern for spiraling I freaked out. I re tuition costs in his recent letter to the editor (Remem- swearing aloud. Lc ber who is paying the bill, GEO, 02/22/2008). How- the obvious moneta ever, he misplaced the blame for tuition increases on music and making, graduate student instructors' salaries. Before exam- discontent until yot jning the costs of GSIs, I wish to correct an error in I was almost r: his letter: GSIs do notearn $700 more than their liv- to Best Buy to dis 3ng expenses. Instead, according to the University's replacement whenI Office of Financial Aid, we actually earn $780 less a note: "Just thoug than the cost of attendance. Bear in mind that that we found your iPo: Jigure is for a single graduate student without depen- as we were walkin dents. I have colleagues whose families are eligible address using the c for food stamps, which is an embarrassment at a in the UMich direc wealthy institution like the University. I didn't think t What do GSIs cost the University? For the 2007- pened anymore. No 2008 school year, GSI salaries will cost roughly $24 eBay. This couple w million, or about 1.8 percent of the outlays of Ann my iPod, and I am Arbor campus's $1.3 billion general fund, which does mail address, and: not include the athletic budget. Since 1998, GSI sala- the favor somehow ries have increased by 32.1 percent. However, tuition fine example of sell has increased by an eye-popping 70.1 percent during So the next time yo that same period. Obviously, GSI salaries aren't driv- pick it up and make ing tuition hikes. Random acts of 1 What causes tuition increases? According to a University press release issued on July 19,2007, state Nathan Martzke support as a percentage of the Ann Arbor campus's SchoolofDentistry general fund was 78 percent in 1960 and has declined to 24 percent for this school year. Simultaneously, W here ist tuition revenue has gone from funding 20 percent to 62 percent of the general fund. Therefore, it isn't pampered GSIs but the fundamental failure of the er a state to invest in education that drives tuition out of the reach of the poor. TO THE DAILY: , I know that many members of Graduate Employ- I would like to c ees' Organization share Kumbier's concerns about Graduate Studies fo skyrocketing tuition costs. I'm sure these members parents, which allt would be happy to work with him and other con- eral weeks after thE cerned members of the community to pressure the leave to grad studei state to invest in higher education so that GSIs can important for the L be compensated fairly and tuition rates can become not only in acades reasonable. ones. Graduate stu sy coat pocket or gym bag, and it's s time. I specifically remembered pocket before leaving the house. ool, I noticed it wasn't there. Not drove home and looked in all the t leave it, but it wasn't there. Then traced my steps, the whole time osing an iPod is much more than ry loss; it's the hours of uploading awesome playlists that leave you u have your missing iPod back. eady to make the dreaded trip h out hundreds of dollars for a I founda package at my door with ht you might like to know where d, on the sidewalk ... We found it g on campus. My son found your omputer to look up your address tory." .his type of thoughtfulness hap- "finders keepers," or selling it on ent way out oftheir way to return very thankful. They left their e- I plan to thank them and return . This random act of kindness is a flessness, altruism and humanity. u find something that isn'tyours, an honest attempt to return it. kindness: Pass them on. the leave policy for ate students? ommend the Rackham School of or implementing its policy for new :ws them to take time off for sev- eir child's birth (Policy gives more nts with babies, 02/18/2008). It is University to support its students mic matters but also in familial denits have needed such a policy, come this progressive thinking. policies are lacking for under- With no options offered for leave, dents don't have adequate Univer- ile childcare is available only for age of two, this hardly accommo- ewborn children, leaving many to oose between their education and n't be forced to choose; it is pos- ren while receiving an education. Students for Life is looking to change these poli- cies on campus, striving to implement more infant- friendly programs that assist new and expectant mothers and fathers. I encouragethe rest of the University to adopt poli- cies like Rackham's so undergraduates havethe same educational opportunities as graduate students. Lauren Bennett LSA sophomore The letter writer is the vicepresidentof Students for Life. Paying to succeed is not new TO THE DAILY: In her recent column, Emmarie Huetteman com- plained that meritocracy is dying because students buyinginternships (Thepriceofsuccess, 02/20/2008). She should take a step back and consider what she's doing here at the University. Aren't most students here, at least in part, spend- ing thousands of dollars to gain skills that are valu- able to future employers? Or to find out what fields might interest them? But, of course, those motives are nothing at all like paying $6,000to buy an intern- ship and geta foot in the door of an industry in which one may want to makea career. Right. Jon Boguth Law School Publishers are not to blame for high textbook prices TO THE DAILY: Your recent article ('U' to add book exchange fea- ture to CTools site, 02/22/2008) did not accurately reflect the textbook market. Publishers understand students' cost concerns and have responded by offering more prices and options than ever before, including black and white editions, custom editions, no-frills editions and e-books by the thousands. According to the College Board, textbook costs account for only 5 percent of overall higher educa- tion costs. In fact, the independent research group Student Monitor found that students roughly spent an average $670 on textbooks in 2006. Faculty mem- bers - not publishers - determine when a new revi- sion is necessary. Further, the average length of time between new editions is four years, a number that has remained constant for the last 10 years. Publishers already have efforts in place to provide faculty with all the information they need about textbook options and pricing before they order text- books for the upcoming semester. These are easily available through publishing marketing representa- tives and online resources. And for students, a quick online search using a textbook's International Stan- dard Book Number or title and author will yield hun- dreds of price and product information sources. Ultimately, publishers share the common goal of student success and are committed to working with all stakeholders to make this a reality. Stacy Skelly The letter writer is the assistant director ofthe Higher Educa- tionAssociation ofAmerican Publishers. There is no reason for "Reductive reasoning" TO THE DAILY: In response to the question posed in the B-side, asking "Like Venn diagrams?", yes I do like Venn dia- grams. I love them, in fact. Not only are they great visualization tools in a broad range of mathematical pursuits, they are also just plain fun. Who doesn't enjoy looking at a few shapely, overlapping circles now and then? Who among us has not, some lone- ly night, sketched out a diagram or two to ease the heavy burden of an impending midterm? This is why I am saddened and disgusted to open the B-side and see the Venn diagrams feature "Reductive reasoning" each week. While all the love in my heart goes out to Venn diagrams the world over, I can find no affection for this terrible feature. Is it a joke? Is it news? Who knows? It's definitely not funny or informative. Take the most recent edi- tion (02/21/2008), for example. We see that "Obama speeches"formthe intersectionofthesetsof"Hope," "Change," and "Someone else's words." How clever - a reference to a recent news event half-heart- edly concealed within a mathematical diagram. The laughs continue with a joke about what seven graders' might consider pornography. And finally, we have the best of all: Two unnamed sets intersect to form "Lunar eclipse" because there was a lunar eclipse and the moon is likea circle. Classic. I would like to propose my own "Reductive rea- soning"-type diagram for use in an upcoming issue of the Daily. It is includedbelow. I hope you like it. Mike McCann Engineering sophomore VN wit Huo J.,onm 0 Patrick O'Mahen Rackham The letter writer serves as a spokesmanfor GEO. However, he is not writing in that capacity. A random act ofkindness TO THE DAILY: I lost myiPod the other day. Usually when I "lose" and I excitedly wel: However, such graduate students. undergraduate stud sity resources. Wh children above the, dates those with nt think they must ch their children. Students should: sible to raise childr A i