0 4A - Wednesday, March 5, 2008 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Edited and managed by students at the University ofMichigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tathedaily@umich.edu 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 oftheir authors. The Daily's public editor, PaulH. Johnson, acts as the readers' representative and takes a critical look at coverage and content in every section of the paper. Readers are encouragedto contact the public editor with questions and comments. He canbe reached at publiceditor@umich.edu. Beyond blueprints Students need more than buildings to protect their future f you build it, they will come. At least, that's the philosophy Gov. Jennifer Granholm has adopted in her latest attempts to stimulate Michigan's flailing economy. She recently pro- posed budgetary provisions to help fund select building projects at state colleges, spurring the state's economy. But while the plan would create construction jobs, attract students and generally bolster higher education, it is just a small investment in Michi- gan's future. Buildings alone cannot support the state's economic infrastructure, necessitating further policies addressing finan- cial aid and other educational needs, as well as the increased It's clear he knows who his opponent's going to be, and I'm looking forward to a great debate on the issues with John McCain." -Barack Obama, responding yesterday to attacks made by John McCain, as reported yesterday by CNN.com. McCain secured the Republican presidential nomination yesterday. Driving me crazy ust before SpringlBreak, I went to But it seems that they didn't real- For a state increasingly desperate to the Secretary of State's office on ize that that meant 400,000 people attract foreign investment, it's hard to North Maple Road to apply for a - including foreign investors, visiting explain why we've become so hostile to driver's permit. I've professors and international students foreigners. A driver's license isn't just been procrastinat- - wouldn't be able to drive unless they permission to drive in Michigan; it's inglearningto drive had already a license. Eventually, the also what you use to get cough syrup, for six years, during lunacy of the proposal sunk in, and board a plane or buy beer. To take one which time I've let the legislature relaxed the regulations of the eight states that allows anyone to three other learning to include those who are here legally get a license and transform it into one permits expire, so I again. But the other cumbersome regu- that requires more documentation for knew the drill. lations about identity verification Cox a learner's permit than a passport is Imagine my sur- and Land implemented remained in crazy. prise, then, when I place, leavinga xenophobic aftertaste. That is, it's crazy unless you plan to handed an employ- ANNE Say a Japanese businessman want- try to become Michigan's next gover- ee my state-issued VANDERMEY ed to come to Michigan. Even though nor, as both Cox and Land likely will; photo ID, only to we would technically allow him to then it's just bad politics. Cracking have it handed right get a license here, if he goes to the down on immigrants might win a few back to me with a sheet of paper outlin- Secretary of State, he'll be handed an votes in the Republican primary, but ingthe five separate documentsneeded informational pamphlet on the exten- come the general election, they'd do toget thatlittle slip ofpaper thatmeans sive documentation required. In that well to remember that Michigan is a I can drive as long as there's someone pamphlet, which is also available blue state. else in the car. online, it states that he would need This can't be, I told her. I was just proof of "permanent legal presence in here last year, and all I needed was a the U.S." to obtain a license. So, while Hohobi state ID then. What was this, some theymayhave revokedthe rule against H ow xenophobia kind of GOP crackdown on illegal legal temporary residents obtaining immigrants? licenses, how long will it be until the almost kept me She looked offended, and I went paperwork is corrected to reflect the home to try to find five pieces of origi- change? from driving nal, non-photocopied (per the new And if he managed to provide the requirements)proofthat Iwas aperma- proper documentation, he would still nent Michigan resident and an Ameri- have to take a written driving aptitude Michigan can only hope that its tax can citizen. I later learned that I was test. The problem here is that the ques- cuts on incoming business or the lure of wrong to suggest that it was a Repub- tions on the test are so easy that the a prestigious - if underfunded - uni- lican crackdown on illegal immigrants only skill they could conceivably be versity like this one will be enough that led the state to dramatically alter measuring is command of the English incentive for out-of-staters to ignore the regulations governing applying for language. The last time I took the test, the snub, brave the red tape and stay state ID - it was actually a crackdown the man sitting next to me - a Span- here.As forme,afterbeingturned away on every single non-Michigander. ish speaker - was on his third try and twice, I finally got the right papers The new rules were implemented seemed close to giving up. Even though together and got a permit. But if I have in early January, when, in a remark- I passed, there's no doubt in my mind to jump through the same hoops when able show of zeal for national security, that he is a better driver than Itam. I actually apply for a license, who's to Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land Even if our hypothetical business- say even I won't just take my state- instituted a new system, based on an man managed to overcome all those subsidized degree to a different state opinion issued by Attorney General hurdles, he'd still have to produce at - maybe even one with mass transit. Mike Cox in December. It required least five original documents proving more paperwork from everyone and his legal temporary residency in Amer- Anne VanderMey was the Daily's barred all non-permanent residents, ica. If that were me, I'd take my busi- fall/winter magazine editor in 2007. She legal or not, from obtaining licenses. ness to Ohio after all that trouble. can be reached at vandermy@umich.edu. 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 tothedoily@umich.edu. EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS: Emad Ansari, Harun Buijina, 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. 0 a 9 0 borrowing power to fund them. The mythical healing powerof a better- educated workforce has been a recurring theme of Granholm's proposals, inspiring such policies as last month's call to raise the dropout age for the sake of keeping Michigan students in school. This series of construction projects follows that prec- edent, seeking to improve the quality of higher education in Michigan by renovat- ing older facilities and building new ones. For the University, this plan would translate into a biology building in Ann Arbor and renovations for its satellite campuses in Dearborn and Flint. But for many schools, Granholm's plan could offer a coveted chance to grow. A couple reno- vations or even a new building could mean more and better research opportunities, which is attractive to students and pro- fessors alike. They could bring in more of the best from around the world, as well as fight the flight of promising minds. These projects could also improve the quality of higher education across the board. Several of the state's community colleges will gain scientific and techno- logical centers under Granholm's plan, displaying a commitment to education beyond the state's particular interest in its profitable research universities. From a long-term perspective, the opportuni- ties offered by these new facilities could enrich the education of Michigan's work- force, strengthening the knowledge-based economy Granholm keeps mentioning. But buildings aren't enough to brighten Michigan's future. The state must contin- ue to make education a priority, ensuring that young children learn to love learning and that they can still afford it as young adults. Legislators also need to recognize that a long-term economic solution has its costs and raise the bond cap - the state's borrowing limit - accordingly to accom- modate the projects excluded from Gran- holm's plan. Denying Grand Valley State University a new learning and technology center to replace its 40-year-old library, for example, doesn't make education look like much of a priority. Granholm recognizes that the fight to save Michigan's economy is just beginning, and this latest plan certainly demonstrates a commitment to bolstering education. How- ever, it is hardly the time to congratulate the state. There are still libraries leftunbuilt and potential left unrealized. Too bad Michigan can't just build itself a secure future. 01 SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU Misdiagnosed student sick University Health Service' of making the choices logical choices mad by those who studi from a liberal arts e Engineers are ir TO THE DAILY: assets that can con My week before Spring Break started out like cal work, a point o any other year. I had several hundred midterms to to perpetuate, as ht prepare for and a few last minute homework assign- rently ignorant of b: ments to wrap up along the way. However, what I roundingtheir work didn't foresee was the incompetence of the Univer- degree with an un sity Health Service. will give engineersI It all began on Wednesday, the day of my mid- their understandini terms. I woke up with a fever of 102 and a very sore nology in the world, throat. A few ibuprofens later, I was good to go for them better able t( my tests. Since my symptoms indicated a textbook knowledge can be p case of strep throat, I decided to stop by UHS to get some antibiotics. I set my appointment and dragged SamWintermute myself to the building around noon, only to be incor- Rackham rectly diagnosed and turned away. The doctor said it was probably a virus, handed me a standard "how to Comic offer deal with viruses" pamphlet and kicked me out. I decided to relax and wait until my body won the battle against the virus - UHS knows what it's doing, TO THE DAILY: right? Wrong. On Friday, I woke up with a tempera- To the "readersup ture of over 103 degrees and a throat that looked like son to complain abo a warzone. I decided to see UHS again, figuring that is funny?, 03/04/20( surely the doctor would concede that I had strep editorial page of Th throat and give me antibiotics this time. However, desire for purely cot once again I was incorrectly diagnosed and turned enough that complai away, assured that I had the flu or mono. worthwhile use of y It was not until returning home for the break that you might be better I finally got antibiotics. It took my local doctor about newspaper - mayb: five seconds to diagnose. I think this is embarrassing as "One Hundred an for UHS. Streptococcus is an aggressive and poten- Souls for Nickelback tially dangerous disease if not properly addressed Either way, you n - to deny medication for it so carelessly is a danger- able for your level ous practice. My advice: If you are sick, go straight to awareness. Johnson the excellent University hospital. a subjective interpre miss the point in ask Adam Nicholl determine - whethE Engineeringsenior If it isn't the inte thoughtful social c Column contributes toproblem medium of commu humorous cartoons egated to the back po . It is doubtful that bad techno- e by engineers match those made ed business, who already benefit ducation. ncreasingly seen as replaceable tribute little more than techni- f view Stampfl's column seems e implies that engineers are cur- roader, non-technical issues sur- . Makingengineeringagraduate dergrad liberal arts component the education to further develop g of the broader impact of tech- but more importantly, will make o achieve positions where that ut to use. to require insurance for all students, 02/20/2008). I lower premiums. understand how requiring students to have health The only thing that would happen is that students insurance seems like a good idea. However, I don't who can't afford insurance would be forced out of like being forced to buy something to attend the the University because they couldn't pay. I know it University simply because I exist. If the University may seem like it's not that much, but even a $1,000 or government provides health care for free, that is per year premium can be a lot for some students. fine, but to have to pay either a third party or the The only real solution to this problem is universal University's health insurance plan seems wrong. health care provided by the government and fund- Perhaps it would be better if the University ed by taxes. Having the University force students to offered free coverage to poor students or let stu- carry health insurance is not a solution. Instead of dents opt out of the requirement. But the argu- forcing people to buy something they can't afford or ment that having more students in the program don't necessarily want, let's focus on the real rea- will lower the premiums is weak because once son why students don't have health insurance in the things like insurance premiums go up, it is hard to first place. make them go back down. This would be similar to the tuition hike this summer that wasn't repealed Joseph Garland despite funding changes. I just don't think it would Engineeringsenior s more than humor ROSE JAFFE p in arms" who wrote Paul John- ut the cartoon Feng Shui (What 08): If you rely solely upon the e Michigan Daily to satiate your mical entertainment (or at least ining to the editor seemed like a our undoubtedly valuable time), r served by a different campus e one that defines its existence ad Eighteen Years of Selling Our Tickets." eed something a bit more suit- I of sophistication and social correctly noted that we all have tation humor, but he seemed to ing - and futility attempting to er or not Feng Shui is funny. ntion of the author to provide ommentary through a unique nication (in this case, a mildly strip), Feng Shul should be rel- age or the B-side. The Daily has d a worth that transcends pure rded the cartoon valuable real al page, accordingly. IfT IadY19-R70er ZooS 4 eR jas 4he. fleoarc4s TO THE DAILY: apparently identifie While I agree with many points in Karl Stamp- humor and has awe fl's Monday column (Redesigning the engineer, estate on the editor 03/03/2008) and, moreso, with those raised in for- mer-University President JamesDuderstadt's report, Franklin Shaddy I can't help but think Stampfl's column works a bit to Businessjunior perpetuate the lack of respect for engineering Dud- erstadt is trying to remedy. Governmen The thrust of Stampfl's argument is that engineers need education "not just to tinker, but also to real- should insur ize the larger effects of tinkering." While it is impor- tant for engineers to be conscientious of the broader context of their work, that isn't the main issue Dud- TO THE DAILY: erstadt is discussing. The problem isn't so much Contrary to the that engineers are making the wrong choices about Spring Break, ians direction of technology, it is that they aren't the ones dents isn't likely to' ra ,i t, not University, re student health e assertion in a story before dating health insurance for stu- help students (MSA to push 'U'