40 4A - Monday, April 14, 2008 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com fy iiigan Bat*1 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@umich.edu He is not the Jackson Pollock of the ecclesiastical world:' -Cardinal John Foley, comparing Pope Benedict XVI, who arrives to America tomorrow for a visit, to expressist painter Jackson Pollack, as reported yesterday by The New York Times. Remainders I 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 contentin every section oftthe paper. Readers are encouraged to contact the public editor with questions and comments. He can be reached at publiceditor@umich.edu. Neutralizing a problem 'U' should adopt gender-neutral housing, not fall behind Beginning this year, several of the nation's top schools have started offering gender-neutral housing options. But while schools like Dartmouth College and Stanford University are leading the way, the University of Michigan has remained passive on this issue so far, attributing its inactivity to a lack of demand. But the University must be proactive in creating a welcoming, progres- sive environment for transgender students. 've run out of columns. Here's what's left in my notebook: 1.The University adminis- tration still hasn't released admissions data for next year's entering class - the first full class after Proposal 2 passed, W which means admissions officers can't use race- and gender-based pref- K erences to evaluate applicants. Instead, STAMPFL the administration is pretending that the admissions office is too busy to compile statistics at least until May. Apparently it's significantly busier than last year, when it released four sets of statistics to the media, the first in February. Here's my question: Is the admin- istration making excuses to delay the release of the information because the minority admissions rate is too low (a public relations disaster that could prompt some admitted under- represented minorities to pick another school before the May 1 deadline), the minority admissions rate is too high (could invite dangerous legal scrutiny), or is there another reason administra- tors are lying? 2. Tony Vuljaj - who as a freshman was blamed for a denial-of-service attack on a rival student government party's website during the conten- tious 2006 election - has had quite an undergraduate career. He's been dragged through the mud in the Daily and other local media and has pled guilty to two felony charges all because he took the fall for a scandal that was clearlythe initiative of party elders. "Just following orders" isn't always a good explanation, but when you're a freshman in college it sometimes is. When you're an upperclassman, though, and you convince some ambi- tious underclassman to use his com- puter to launch an illegal attack on a website and then let said underclass- man suffer the consequences while you hide behind anonymity, there aren't many good excuses for you. 3. Alum Arthur Miller once said that what he learned at the University of Michigan was how much he did not know. Freshmen, most of you still have three years left: Let's see if you can learn that, too. 4. The collegiate kingmaker, U.S. News and World Report, is consider- ing changes to its college rankings system. The proposed tweaks - most notably, asking high school counselors to evaluate colleges - are being billed as responses to last year's avalanche of complaints from college presidents. But the problem with the rankings is not that they're inaccurate. of course they're inaccurate. How could anyone possibly quantify the quality of such goliath, complex institutions? The problem is their influence. I can say without a doubt that I would not be at this university with- out the power of those rankings (you don't have to decide whether that's a good or a bad thing until the end of this column). Too often these rank- ings are used as substitutes for real research into a college choice, and it's not enough to ask students and parents to use them as a supplement, because their indirect effect is stronger than their direct effect. You don't have to ever seea copy of the magazine to have the idea that this university is ranked about 25th in the nation. They shaped public opinion long ago and then com- menced an afterlife of issuing self-ful- filling prophecies. So the presidents can complain all they want and the magazine can tweak all it wants. Won't make a difference. 5. As I spend my last week at the University, I can't help wondering exactly how good, of an undergradu- ate education this school offers. It's hard to argue with the quality of the University's professional programs (the business, engineering, medical and law schools). But is it too easy for some undergrads to skate through a liberal arts education without too much academic effort while still com- piling a grade point average above 3.0 and receiving a diploma with the Uni- versity seal on it? Probably. 6. I've been critical of the University in this space, but something needs to be said about the wonder of what goes on here. Next time you're standing on the Diag, imagine what it would be like to zoom out and see the University from above. Think about the incredible things happening on campus. In one room of Angell Hall a class is study- ing Shakespeare's "Henry IV" and in the next a class is studying deleterious recessive genes. Another class is dis- cussingtheEdictofNantesindetail.On Thoughts that didn't fit into previous columns North Campus engineers are invent- ing the next big thing. At the Medical School someone is trying to figure out how to distribute antiretroviral drugs to developing countries. Someone is thinking great thoughts in the Law Library about the correct interpre- tation of the Fourth Amendment. In Espresso Royale on State Street people are arguing about the U.S. Senate vot- ing records of Barack Obama and John McCain with astounding specific- ity while someone else is still cham- pioning Ron Paul. On South Campus world-class athletes are preparing for the Olympics. One of the world's great pianists is performing in Hill Audito- rium. In the hospital people are being born and people are dying and people are being saved. All in all, it's a pretty good place. Karl Stampfl was the Daily's fall/ winter editor in chief in 2007. He can be reached at kstampfl@umich.edu. 4 The main goal of instituting gender- neutral housing policies has been to foster a more comfortable environment for stu- dents who do not strongly identify with any gender. In traditional residence hall set- tings, situations many of us take for grant- ed like choosing which bathroom to use become difficult. The University currently has options in place upon request for trans- gender students, demonstrating its initial commitment to the cause. But nine schools across the country have decided that being welcoming requires more than minimal accommodations and are now offering gen- der-neutral housing. The University's justification for hold- ing out is that there is not enough student demand for gender-neutral housingto merit a change in its policies. But it is likely that incoming freshmen are not even aware that there could be such an option, and older students often opt to move out of the dorms instead of trying to change the system. To break out of this cycle, the University must actively promote gender-neutral housing to give incoming students more - and bet- ter - options. The University already gives students options with its learning commu- nities like the Lloyd Hall Scholars Program, and this would be a change in that spirit. Naturally, taking gender out of the hous- ing equation offers transgender students an equal opportunity of finding a comfort- able living situation. But the potential ben- efits extend to the rest of the student body as well. In addition to giving freshmen the same housing freedom afforded to upper- classmen outside the dorms, gender-neu- tral housing presents a valuable learning experience for students. Admittedly, gender-neutral housing is not without its concerns, at least for some people. Gender-neutral housing could allow unmarried students of opposite genders to cohabitate, threatening traditional sexual morality. But the University has no obliga- tion to enforce antiquated norms. Gender- neutral housing is a long-overdue change that shouldn't be halted because some peo- ple fear it could degrade an already chang- ing social tradition. Besides, students can live together in off-campus housing already, so what's the difference? Of possibly greater concern is the chance that people won't understand what gen- der-neutral housing is and won't be inter- ested. There is one obvious solution to this problem: education. Prospective students aren't making their housing choices with- out looking the different options. If the University provides the necessary infor- mation, it should go a long way to ease lin- gering hesitations. As a self-proclaimed progressive insti- tution, the University should be one of the first universities to offer gender-neutral housing, instead of waiting until the issue is safe. Holding back on facilitating a more progressive, hospitable environment for its students until it's pushed to do otherwise is not the University of Michigan way. And it's not a good example to set. I WANT TO BE AN OPINION COLUMNIST DURING THE SUMMER OR FALL? E-MAIL GARY GRACA AT GMGRACA@UMICH.EDU 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, Imran Syed, Neil Tambe, Matt Trecha, Kate Truesdell, Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Van Gilder, Rachel Wagner, Patrick Zabawa. .-0 SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU Solving the "core issue" without violent measures TO THE DAILY: As our university looks toward next semester, we must seek new expecta- tions for campus dialogue on contentious issues. As progressive students eager to live in a world of equality, we must understand that violence against civil- ians is never a legitimate method to attain a goal. When the authors of Thursday's viewpoint about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict wrote of the Palestinians' use of terrorism to fight for a Palestinian state as "not the cause, but the symptom of the core issue," they sought to justify a means that will never lead to a productive end (Focusing on the core issue, 04/10/2008). If the Palestinian goal is to achieve "free- dom, equality, and self-determination," then Palestinians must recognize that using violence is both irresponsible and ineffective. Granted, the writers of the viewpoint acknowledged the necessity for co-exis- tence, and the significance of this dec- laration should not go unrecognized. However, the plea is delegitimized when they write, "Until there is equality, we can only expect more vengeful violence." Since when, in modern society, is violence expected? And worse, accepted? No country in the world other than Israel would ever be asked to sacrifice the security of its citizens to assist a commu- nity that denies its existential rights. The Israeli government must protect its peo- ple (a diverse populace which includes many Muslims, Christians, atheists, Bahai, Druze, Arabs, Africans, Europe- ans, Asians and Americans, among oth- ers), and has every right to defend itself against acts of terror. Israel does not have the right to inflict human rights violations on innocent people, but its ability to deal with security threats is often jeopardized by the fact that Hamas (an integral part of the Palestinian governing coalition and, as far as America and many Euro- pean countries are concerned, a terrorist organization) uses innocent Palestinians as "human shields" by sheltering their rocket launchers and militants among civilians. Were Hamas to undertake non- violent resistance instead of endangering thelives of Israelis and Palestinians,there is no doubt a Palestinian state would be created quickly. Mahatma Gandhi may have been opposed to the creation of Israel, as the viewpoint quoted him as writing, but he would undeniably be dismayed at the methods used by the Palestinian leader- ship to reverse whathas been established. who place America's military at risk to The "core issue" is not the establishment further their own self-interests, all the of the State of Israel, but rather a question while advocating others to fight and die of how the Palestinian people can gain in their places. autonomy in a productive way, given the current realities on the ground. Terror- Aaron Bailey ism has only accomplished a stalemate of Business School bloodshed on both sides. New, more rea- The letter writerservedasan infantry officer with sonable tactics are in order. a Special Operations Task Force in Afghanistan from May to November 2007 He is the Michigan Rachel Goldstein state captain of VoteVets.org an organization LSA sophomore representingIraq and Afghanistan veterans. The letter writer isan executive board member of theAmerican MovementforIsrael If YAF wants to help Americajoin theArmy A new rac long-need TO THE DAILY: After readin Thursday abot TO THE DAILY: can/Middle Ea I read Wednesday's viewpoint by the ethnicity sectio University's chapter of Young Americans tions (Students for Freedom with both surprise and dis- 04/10/2008), I' gust (The war at home, 04/09/2008). The ect: Check It ai one clear idea that resonated through- Assembly for pa out the viewpoint was YAF's gung-ho, this new check pro-war, chicken-hawk agenda and tative Muhamn its contempt for the soldiers who are news story abo actually fighting the wars in Iraq and (Tuition allocati Afghanistan. While YAF used the typical 04/09/2008), s1 neo-conservative tactics of mentioning aren't white. the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks (which As an Arab,l our own government has determined that I'm not wh had no links to Iraq), discussing the sup- orthink I'm joki pression of minority rights (although the and half Polish. Bush administration continues to support sions of Eastern the Saudi Royal Family's despotic regime) tury, some Mon, and continually using words like "free- genome, leavin dom" to describe its agenda, this group mark for many: did not speak for me as a veteran. thal eye fold, a s War, unfortunately, is a complex and inner corner of t occasionally necessary way to confront makes me part the greed, corruption and evil in our me less than 50 world. But chastising an entire region by Many Arabs calling mainstream Middle Easterners like having to i "jihadists," many of whom I served with, cial documents only serves to unnecessarily enflame the should be awai disaffected population I worked to assist. racial identity. If YAF really wants to help our country, I encourage its members to visit www. AdamAjlouni goarmy.com and join the "brothers and LSA junior sisters" the group claims to support. In lieu of that, perhaps YAF will advocate Graduati deploying troops with proper equipment, a clear mission and veteran's benefits survey to when they return from war, something the group's fellow neo-cons forgot. Make no mistake, the people who TO THE DAILY: attacked us were, and still are, in the Overthe next mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan. will receive an But for reasons unclear to me, my com- of the Provosti mander in chief has decided to ignore Senior Survey.' these threats. YAF's members continue the survey's pu to cover for our incompetent leaders, to the online su e box is a led option g the front-page article ut adding "North Afri- stern" to the race and an of admissions applica- push for new race option, would like to thank Proj- nd the Michigan Student assing a resolution to add box. As MSA represen- mad Alghanem said in a ut the topic Wednesday ons to shift for undergrads, tudents from that region I tell people all the time ite, but people often scoff 0ng. I'm actually half Arab During the Mongol inva- n Europe in the 13th cen- gols mixed into the Polish g at least one indelible Polish people: the epican- mall flap of skin along the he eye, which I have. This Mongolian too and makes percent white. myself included, don't dentify as white on offi- . I think the University re of and recognize our ng seniors, take improve 'U' tweek, graduatingseniors e-mail from the Office inviting them to fill out a The message will explain rpose and provide a link rvey. Participation is vol- untary, but as the co-directors of this country until las survey project we encourage everyone rest of this unit to take part. The Class of 2008 is the first oblivious. Furt complete graduating class in more than a that because stu decade to be surveyed in this way. We are this universityv hoping to hear from students enrolled in most likelyto ho every undergraduate school and college. policies, and be The survey will ask about your future change," Surles plans and key aspects of your under- supposedly chal graduate experience. What are we hoping In the future, to get out of this survey? The University a bit more timet will use the results to learn more about through before undergraduate education from the stu- and arrange st dent point of view, and target improve- own arbitrary st ment areas for future students. This can only happen, however, if students take Jacob Nathan the time to share their perspectives. LSA senior We hope that when the invitation arrives, you will give it your consider- Standard ation. It can be taken at your convenience over the Internet and should take less hut not m than 20 minutes. Please know that your responses will be kept confidential. As a further incentive and a token of our TO THE DAILY: appreciation, we will randomly select I find it hard seven participants to win either one of umn last Mond four $50 gift certificates or one of three notice the obv $100 gift certificates redeemable atAma- his point about zon.com. standards for at st week does not mean the versity is as frighteningly hermore, by suggesting dents who have attended will be "the ones who are ld the Senate seats, shape in positions that affect plays into elitism that she lenges. I hope that Surles spends hinking these large issues attempting to pigeonhole udents according to her tandards. Is for athletes, inorities? to believe that in his col- lay Karl Stampfl did not vious parallels between t not lowering academic thletes and the argument tive action (The scandal /07/2008). While I agree es admitted to the Univer- n't keep up academically," hat some under-qualified ed because of affirmative erform at a level neces- he University. mpfl support affirmative e same time label the low- ion standards for athletes Ben van der Pluijm and Karen Zaruba van der Pluijm is a professor ofgeology and is the director of the Global Change Program. Zaruba is the senior counselor to the provost and a senior institutional research analyst. Students are more aware than often given credit against affirma that wasn't, 04, that someathlet sity "simply can it is also true tl students admitt action cannot p sary to attendt How can Sta action and at thi ering of admissi as a problem? TO THE DAILY: In response to Ashlea Surles's column Zack Divozzo Friday about the prevalence of illiteracy LSAfreshman and poverty in America (America's other reality, 04/11/2008), I would like to state my disdain for the piece's condescend- ing, pedantic tone and lack of meaning- ful sentiment. Like several of Surles's previous columns, the article was full of gross oversimplifications and suggested that individuals from "society's middle and LETTERS upper crust" are blissfully unaware of Readers are: problems plaguing this nation like pov- letters to the e erty, illiteracy and educational discrepan- less than 300' cies. I find this line of reasoning offensive, the writer's fu narrow-minded and reductive. affiliation. Al To suggest that students from the middle and upper class arrive at this property of thf university as mindless drones, gleefully anonymous I skipping through life without a care in tothed, the world, belies the diverse student body and the work being done to make college more inclusive. Just because Surles was unaware of illiteracy's prominence in this TO THE EDITOR: encouraged to submit ditor. Letters should be words and must include ill name and University 1 submissions become e Daily. We do not print etters. Send letters to aily@umich.edu. I 4 4