4A -Thursday, January 3, 2008
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
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IMRAN SYED JEFFREY BLOOMER
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR
It disenfranchises certain voters or makes
them make choices between putting food on
the table and caucusing."'
- Tom Lindsey, an Iowa City high school teacher, describing how the Iowa caucus, which is being held today,
is too inconvenient for some working voters to participate in, as reported yesterday by The New York Times.
Hal, hai to what again?
KARL STAMPFL
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Unsigned editorials reflect the official positionof the Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations representsolelytheviews of their 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 encouraged to contact the public editor
with questions andcomments. He can be reached at publiceditor@umich.edu.
Refund season
Like other state universities, 'U' should return tuition hikes
Michigan State University students didn't just have four
more days of holiday break than we did to look for-
ward to this January: When they return on Monday,
they might have a refund waiting for them too. Like the Univer-
sity of Michigan, MSU raised its tuition rates this summer in
fear that state funding was in jeopardy. But more funding than
expected arrived in November, and now the university is passing
some of it back to students. Here at the University, we want our
money back too, please.
The new public face of the Uni-
versity of Michigan didn't
seem to know the lyrics to
"The Victors" when he was hired.
Rich Rodriguez
says he has since
learned them, but
someone should > '
make sure he
knows the part
about being the .
leaders and best,
because Athletic -'
Director Bill Mar- KARL
tin has given him a
big responsibility. STAMPFL
Like it or not, -
the football coach is the most recog-
nizable representative of this univer-
sity and its values. While only a few
reporters watch University President
Mary Sue Coleman at regents meet-
ings, a legion of television cameras
follows former head coach Lloyd
Carr, whose last day on the job was
Tuesday.
This column's on the opinion page,
so let's assume that Rich Rodriguez is
the best coach in the history of foot-
ball, that he makes better inspira-
tional speeches than Vince Lombardi,
that he will be able to transform quar-
terback Ryan Mallett into a hero and
that his spread offense will remake
the Big Ten.
There's a lot more to this job than
that.
Even Carr, whom the administra-
tion and media have lauded as the
height of integrity, could have done
better. His team's graduation rate (73
percent, according to the most recent
numbers) isn't that terrific when you
consider that it's 10 points below stu-
dent athletes overall at the University
of Michigan. Notre Dame's football
graduation rate is 93 percent. Martin
should have been lookingfor someone
who will improve on Carr's legacy,
not someone who might uphold it. Rodriguez doesn't have the best
No one seems.to have any reason record on loyalty. After declaring his
to believe that Rodriguez will be the undying affection for the school a
next Gary Moeller, who made way for year ago, he deserted West Virginia,
Carr by punching a cop. Maybe he's a where he played, where he coached
saint. But is it unreasonable to hope for seven seasons, where his wife was
that Martin would hire someone with a cheerleader. He says he hopes he'll
at least some investment in the Mich- retire at Michigan, but what if NFL
igan tradition? franchises start calling? There's not
At his first press conference, Rodri- much to tie him down in Ann Arbor.
guez said he has seen this year's team To his credit, Rodriguez seems
play "a little bit." An Athletic Depart- to think that Michigan's values can
ment press release touted his connec- be learned, and he's right (though
tion to Michigan football as having it would be nice to keep a few more
grown up five miles from the birth- of those assistant coaches around).
place of Fielding H. Yost and having Rodriguez is not the problem; he's
played for a coach who was once an only a symptom.
assistant to Bo Schembechler. His first
trip to Ann Arbor was in December.
He's "studying" Michigan tradition.
Apparently, though, he only cares It's a problem that
about it enough to retain one of Carr's
nine assistantcoaches.He'sjettisoned the new coach has
the other eight, at least for now.
"That's 128 years of history gone, few University ties.
with no one with anysrecollection of
that the tradition," senior running
back Mike Hart told The Detroit
News. "If these guys get to know the The real problem is that being
history and tradition, they will learn versed in the University's standards
that Michigan is a lot different than isn't one of the top qualifications for
any other place." Hart's not talking the job. The real problem is Martin,
about x's and o's, either. who seems to care more about the
A Michigan head coach needs to be offense than the values of the insti-
attached to the school - not just his tution. The real problem isn't that
own career. Rodriguez didn't know the lyrics to
Michigan shouldn't be a career The Victors - it's that Martin doesn't
stepping stone; here coaches should care what that signifies.
be expected to do more than bolster Bo Schembechler was in a similar
their own resumes. If skipping a top position when he was hired (he had
recruit because of character issues is more of a connection to Ohio State
necessary, a Michigan man should do than Michigan). And perhaps Rich
so without thinking whether it will Rodriguez will be the most Michigan
cost him a few games and thus a shot of Michigan men.
at the New England Patriots job. If If so, don't credit Bill Martin.
suspending a star quarterback on the
night before a bowl game because of Karl Stampfl is the Daily's
some moderate academic offense is editor in chief. He can be reached
necessary, he should do that too. at kstampfl@umich.edu.
I
I
This summer was an uncertain time for
Michigan's state universities. While state
legislators were showcasing their incompe-
tence in Lansing, squabbling over tax hikes
and spending cuts, these universities were
left to figure out how to balance their own
budgets. Across the state, universities pre-
pared for the worst, raising tuition by an
average of more than 10 percent.
Although its tuition hikes were com-
paratively low and partially offset by
an 8.9-percent increase in financial aid,
the University took the same approach.
Tuition skyrocketed for undergraduate
students by 7.4 percent and by 5 percent
for graduate students. The increases were
based primarily on the assumption that the
University's state funding would stay static
at $320 million.
At the University of Michigan Board of
Regents meeting in July when the deci-
sion was finalized, Regent Martin Taylor
(D-Grosse Pointe Farms) emphasized, "If
these assumptions are wrong, if they go the
other way, I think it's really incumbent of
the regents to revisit this issue."
Well, the assumptions went the other
way. As promised, the state legislature paid
back the $140 million it postponed in July.
Even better, it increased funding by 1 per-
cent for all state universities. It even sepa-
rated the three research universities - the
University of Michigan, MSU and Wayne
State University - into their own appro-
priations bill, a change the University had
been lobbying hard for Lansing to make.
Acknowledging the unexpected good
news, last month Ferris State, Michigan
State and Wayne State Universities offi-
cially announced plans to cut tuition rates
for the winter semester or refund part
of the fall semester's tuition. At MSU, an.
estimated $3 million will be returned to
students. Individual students could save
more than $64 next semester if they meet
several requirements.
While the individual reductions
wouldn't amount to much money for indi-
vidual students and the University is hint-
ing that the money would instead be used
for President Mary Sue Coleman's new-
est initiatives, it still has an obligation to
share the unexpected funding. The tuition
hike this summer was basically justified
as short-term revenue needed to bail the
University out of a potentially tough time
at students' expense. That justification no
longer holds. The University won't look
too attractive to potential students unless
it repays the favor either.
Equally as important, in a state where
the average tuition has risen by 37 percent
in the last six years, returning part of the
funding increase to students would be a
symbolic confirmation to Lansing that its
funding is going directly to students. For
a meager $3 million, the University can
portray itself as an institution that puts
students first, an image that is increasingly
hard for the University to keep.
Besides, this is supposed to be the sea-
son of giving.
I
I
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU
Preventing a college
birth control crisis
dize the West Vi
Athletic Departm
training your coas
called the Univers
Morgantown, and
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.
CRAIG ROOT
Something not to be thankful for
For many of us, the holiday season reminds
us of all the great things we have to be
thankful for. For others, the holidays elicit
reminders of a lost family member or friend.
For those who have lost a family member or
friend because of some form of gun violence,
it's a reminder that we must continue speak-
ing out against it.
On Nov. 20, 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court
announced that it would hear a case challeng-
ing a circuit court ruling in March 2007 about
the District of Columbia's ban.on handguns.
The lower court ruled that the District's hand-
gun ban was unconstitutional. Now on appeal
to the Supreme Court, there is an opportunity
to reverse this erroneous ruling and give juris-
diction back to the local authorities to decide
what is best for their communities. It is imper-
ative for this ruling to be reversed if America
stands any chance of reducing unnecessary
gun violence. The Second Amendment must
be interpreted in its entirety, and communities
must have the right to ban handguns and save
their residents' lives.
According to the Brady Center to Prevent
Gun Violence our country is experiencing a
startling problem. There are approximatelyf65
million privately-owned handguns in Ameri-
ca. It is estimated that 1to 3 million handguns
change hands on the black market each year.
In 2004, 29,569 people in America died from
firearm-related deaths, including 11,624 mur-
ders, 16,750 suicides and 649 accidents. As the
Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence found,
"For every time a gun is used in a home in a
legally-justifiable shooting, an estimated 22
criminal, unintentional and suicide-related
shootings occur."
Asanundergraduatestudent,Itookayearoff
from school and volunteered in an inner-city
neighborhood. I lived in a violent community
and witnessed the effects of gun violence on a
weekly basis. It seemed like everyone I talked
with knew someone who had been a victim of
gun violence. The thought of having someone
close to me shot and killed was foreign to my
sheltered mind, but when I found bullets on
my street, heard gun shots at night and talked
to the friends I made, the reality sank in: This
is commonplace for many people.
As a graduate student working toward a
masters degree in social work, I am interest-
ed in working with children and adolescents
who struggle with mental health problems.
Among the many topics in our readings and
lectures, suicide continues to startle me. I'm
learning about the psychodiagnostic assess-
ment that could prevent suicidal ideation, but
I can't seem to understand why we're making
it so easy for our children to kill themselves
by allowing easy access to the guns that are so
often used to commit suicide.
Our country is in the midst of a preventable
pandemic. Advocates, lawmakers and politi-
cians alike must rally around this issue and
put the decision-making power in the hands
of those who know best: the communities. Itis
my hope that the Supreme Court reverses the
previous decision and gives the fight against
gun violence a chance.
After all, who is thankful for gun violence?
Craig Root is a graduate student
in the School of Social Work.
TO THE DAILY: Michigan could r'
Ask any woman on campus if her whomever froma
birth control is too expensive and ginia's ranks it wa
the response would likely be a clear On the bright sit
"Yes." Unfortunately, the price is gan head footballc
rising. In January 2006, President guez has proven tI
Bush signed into law the Deficit a team into a natit
Reduction Act, which - uninten- the opportune pt
tionally, according to most reports ginia was in this ye
- dramatically raised the price could not even get
of some forms of birth control for beat Pittsburgh Um
university health centers. It has Good luck. And
been a year, and still nothing has in four years find
been done to fix this problem. In after Rodriguez h
response, some university health secutive losingsea
centers, including our Univer- realizes what a mi
sity Health Service, overstocked Instead of con
their shelves with the last remain- I should have just
ing low-cost birth control before and left it at that.
the law went into effect. But their
reserves won't last forever. Lewis Hardway
For the women who will have to West Virginia Univer
pay up to ten times more for their
monthly birth control, this is a prob-
lem that needs to be resolved imme- Dispose yoz
diately. Most people support the
idea of lower birth control prices, bottled wat
yet very little is being done to ensure
that low prices can continue. TO THE DAILY:
Congress has already devised On a campus wl
a solution to this problem as .well, day a large percei
with no additional cost to the gov- are carrying disp'
ernment. This provision would tles, we as'a come
allow university health centers to better informed a
continue distributing birth control problems that th
at a lower cost. A seemingly simple it may be part oft
fix, members of Congress have now tine to wake up, g
attached this provision to multiple grab a bottle of w
bills with little success. the door, this habi
Once Congress returns from win- Being a lifelong
ter recess on Jan. 15, it is vital that understand the im
this change be pushed through. If ing hydrated. I'm
this problem is not resolved quickly, water consumption
women on college campuses will ing to educate and
feel the effects of the hefty price Instead of wG
hike in birth control. The only producing flimsy
way to prevent this is to take action
immediately. Let your local repre-
sentatives know that their support
on this issue is imperative. Encour- ARIELA STEIF
age them to attach this no-cost fix to
any Congressional legislation that
the President will sign.
If we don't act now, millions of
women across the country will have
to decide if they can afford to con-
tinue to protect themselves. This
is not a decision any woman should
h a v e t o m a k e . J n a C s y-
Jenna casey
School ofSocial Work
Michigan owes West
Virginia for coaches {
TO THE DAILY:
TTHDAL:I just wanted to pose a ques-
tion tosthe University of Michigan
Athletic Department, boosters and I
University powers: At what point ...
is the University going to subsi-
rginia University
ent for its role in
ches? It could be
ity of Michigan at
the University of
outinely just take
among West Vir-
nted.
de, the new Michi-
coach Rich Rodri-
hat he can't coach
onal title. Look at
osition West Vir-
ear and Rodriguez
the team ready to
niversity.
I even better luck
ing a new coach
as his fourth con-
son and Michigan
stake it made.
mplaining, maybe
said "thank you"
sity alum
ur plastic
er habit
everyone could reuse a Nalgene or a
Camelback bottle. We live in a state
that is blessed with clean drink-
ing water, yet we still stuff landfills
full of plastic water bottles and fail
to acknowledge their damaging
effects.
Most students don't know that
America produces 38 million water
bottles a year from 1.5 million bar-
rels of oil. They probably also don't
know that most smallbottles are pro-
duced with polyethylene terephthal-
ate, a chemical that produces more
than 100 times more toxic emissions
than an equivalent amount of glass,
according to the Berkeley Ecology
Center. The chemical can also leach
into the water.
As informed students, we could
make a huge difference. If half of the
students on campus drink and throw
away one bottle a day each semester,
that means roughly 20,000 students
throw away a bottle seven days a
week for 14 weeks a semester. That's
1,960,000 bottles that we could-Cave
per semester.
I encourage students to do some-
thing about this problem and spread
the word. On campus, we can change
the way we live and the way that
others live as well.
here on any given Shari MacDonald
stage of students LSA sophomore
osable water bot-
munity need to beAut
bout the growing r
ey create. While M ichigan fo
the morning rou-
et ready for class,
ater and walk out TO THE DAILY:
t needs to change. Whenever a coll
athlete, I fully hears "University o
portance of stay- first word that co
not discouraging "class". So, why did
n. Rather, um try- of Michigan hire Ri
inspire change.
asting resources Dan Unger
plastic bottles, Moatsville, W. Va.
a
'ation for
otball?
ege football fan
f Michigan" the
mes to mind is
I the University
ch Rodriguez?
4
f t.
4
4
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