4 - Friday, December 5, 2008
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Je JMidiigan ail
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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.
Stick to the schedule
'U' should enforce final exam week policy to help students
ondering when you're going to find time to study for all
those finals you have on the last two days of classes?
You're not alone. Many students wind up with a final
exam or two in the last week of class. That's not how it's supposed
to be, because final exams are supposed to be held during their offi-
cially scheduled slot in finals week. But the reality is that plenty of
professors find ways around this policy or simply ignore it, to the
detriment of students. While requiring professors to hold exams
during finals week is a great policy, it needs some actual enforce-
ment if it's going to help any students.
NO..TABLE QUOTABLE
We're looking at a death sentence here
if we don't respond."
- Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), commenting on the importance of offering
loans to the Detroit Three, as reported yesterday by The New York Times.
BE L LA SHAH E-MAIL BELLA AT BELLZ@UMICH.EDU
t-
SPREADING THE HOLIDAY CHEER
In Detrolt out with the old
Finals week is designed to give students
more time to prepare for exams. The sys-
tem gives students a day off after the last
day of classes to relax and study. Exams are
then staggered over the course of the next
week. This system provides students with
time to study after the distractions of class-
es and assignments are over for the semes-
ter. Finals week also prevents students from
having to take too many exams in too short
a time period - at least in theory.
But for many students, professors who
hold their final exams on the last two days
of classes anyway nullify the benefits of the
University's policy. How are they able to-do
this? Semantics. For example, if a professor
doesn't call the last exam in a class a final
exam and instead calls it, say, the third
installment of three non-cumulative exams,
the policy doesn't apply. Same thing applies
for final papers. Regardless of whether the
exam is worth a larger percentage or your
grade or not and is by most measures the
most important exam in a class, it can be
held early.
The University has a finals week for a
reason, though. Without hours of class to
attend each day, students simply have more
time to prepare for the exams that will
largely determine their grades. This also
acts to level the playing field for students.
The brief study period and extended period
of testing time gives all students a more
equal chance to study for classes and make
up for the material they missed throughout
the semester. And since many assignments
are also due on the last day, most students
end up trying to juggle finishing these
assignments and preparing for last day
finals without adequate time to do a good
job of either.
Obviously, some students like having
exams on the last day of classes because it
gets them done with school that much ear-
lier. While this is a nice benefit, it rewards
a limited amount of students while punish-
ing everyone who has a few finals on the
last day of class and then one at the end of
the following week. And having exams on
the last day of class simply does not put
students in a position to succeed on these
exams.
Professors possess many of the same
motivations as students during the end of
the semester. They want to get exams over
with, and in many cases, they want to go
home to their families. But professors need
to recognize that holding their finals on the
last day of class is a serious disservice to
their students - one that the University has
recognized and prohibited.And the Univer-
sity itself must do a better job of ensuring
that final exams are actually held during
finals week. Until it does, good luck.
f the reckless adventures of
Kwame Kilpatrick and Co. hadn't
officially chopped and screwed
the reputation of
Detroit already,
then the obsequi-
ous pleading of the
Detroit Three's
executives sure got
the job done.
Detroit has
had its share of
disgraceful and SHAKIRA
embarrassing run-
ios with the law (or SMILER
the media, rather)
this year, and this
week's melodrama is no different.
As Rick Wagoner, Alan Mulally and
Robert Nardelli take center stage in
an Oscar-worthy performance on
how they promise to change their
private jet-flying ways in exchange
for $34 billion in federal aid, three
million potentially unemployed blue-
collar workers are sitting in the liv-
ing rooms of their foreclosed homes,
praying for a miracle.
I, too, am feeling the effects of a
failing auto industry. The fact that my
grandmother's retirement pension is
from General Motors Corp., my only
sibling is a car mechanic for a living
and my uncle works for a car-hauling
company equals a pretty shitty Christ-
mas 2008 for the Smiler Family. But
beyond my own selfish motives for
being so worried about the outcome of
the Detroit Three's request, I am sim-
ply hoping that now that Detroit has
cleaned up some of its trash, it will be
able to refocus its energy in 2009 on
revitalizing the city. '
Needless to say, fixing Detroit's
problems will take a lot more than
sending three spoiled brats to the
principal's office and an arrogant
jock to detention for a few months.
But the'change has got to start some-
where, and t'm happy it started at
the top of the totem pole for once. So
what's next? The same questions that
are left unanswered in my nation are
left unanswered in my city. How do
we rebuild the economy? How do we
salvage the small amount of resourc-
es we have left? And moreover, how
do we gain our respectback?
One major problem is that so many
jobs were dependent on one industry
in the first place. By putting all of its
eggs in one basket, Detroit is vulner-
able to mass chaos in the event that
- gasp - one of the Detroit Three
goes bankrupt. While having a reli-
able source of employment right in
your backyard is ideal for economic
stability, being solely dependent on
that source is dangerous and an all
around bad business move. The peo-
ple of Detroit need more than one job
option, and that shouldn't include
having to commute to Lansing, Ann
Arbor or some other city in order to
find it.
But bringing that new business
requires ridding the city of poor lead-
ership. Detroiters started doing that
with Kwame, and now auto compa-
nies are being held accountable. But
these aren't the only people who have
been negligent in their duties. There
needs to be a lot more feathers shak-
en in the Detroit Public Schools, the
Detroit Police Department and every
other major branch of the city's daily
operations before we can truly go for-
ward.
Our city has become complacent
with the inconvenient -truths that
Detroitstudents are performing poor-
ly and are less prepared for college (in
the event that they even enroll) than
their suburban counterparts. And the
people who are supposed to protect
us, our police officers and officials,
are often the main culprits in assist-
ing corruption and crime. But all is
not lost. Bringing in new officials in
these positions would give Detroit a
reason to be optimistic for the new
year.
To guide these officials, Detroit
needs aleader who is passionate about
the city and its people, a leader who
is familiar with the people's needs
and understands their struggles and
a leader who isn't afraid to stand up
for the poor and working class of the
city. But since Barack Obama opted to
run for president of the United States,
we will have to find our own beacon
How Motown can
clean up its
act in 2009
of hope, one who doesn't wear an
earring and throw stripper parties.
Maybe one of the million candidates
running for Detroit mayor will fill
that void.
As a city where people across the
nation once flocked to because of the
economic possibilities and oppor-
tunities it presented and the rich
legacies it created as home to some of
this country's greatest living heroes,
Detroit still has a bright future and a
strong chance to be one of the most
prosperous cities in the country
again. I know that with a new vision,
honest leadership and a hopeful pop-
ulation of loyal residents, Detroit can
turn itself back around in 2009.
Shakira Smiler can be reached
at stsmiler@umich.edu.
I
I
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Nina Amilineni, Emad Ansari, Elise Baun, Harun Buljina, Ben Caleca, Satyajeet Deshmukh,
Brian Flaherty, Matthew Green, Emmarie Huetteman, Emma Jeszke, Shannon Kellman,
Edward McPhee, Emily Michels, Kate Peabody, Matthew Shutler, Robert Soave, Eileen Stahl,
Jennifer Sussex, Imran Syed, Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Van Gilder, Margaret Young
BRIAN RUMAO tIEW'P INT
The consequences of colapse
I
I
I remember when I was in the third grade,
my teacher asked our class, "How many of you
have parents who work for the auto indus-
try?" About 15 or 20 of my classmates and I
raised our hands. At that point, the impact of
the Detroit auto industry became clear to me.
The Detroit Three, consisting of Chrysler LLC,
Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp., are
the engine of Michigan's economy and the fuel
for the success of the nation's manufacturers. If
the auto companies fail, the resulting domino
effect would plunge the nation's economy into
a depression, the backlash of which would last
for decades.
The sheer size of the Detroit Three helps
demonstrate the severity of a possible collapse.
In the United States alone, the Detroit Three
alone creates more than 3 million jobs. The
global output of the auto industry exceeds $2.5
trillion, which leads to $1.5 billion in tax rev-
enues for governments around the world. The
Detroit Three spend $100 billion annually on
research and development, leading to job cre-
ation for many graduate students from the Uni-
versity and beyond.
So what would happen if the Detroit Three
went bankrupt?
The ripple of failures would start with car
sales. The central question here is "What con-
sumer would buy a vehicle from a company
that's bankrupt?" Few, because people want
the security that their warranties will be hon-
ored the next day. So sales would plummet and
the name brands would vanish.
Next, Detroit Three suppliers would feel the
blow. Since 2001,25 percent of the largest auto
suppliers have declared bankruptcy. This fig-
ure would skyrocket should the Detroit Three
fail. Top suppliers would lose half of their vol-
umes and be forced to significantly cut back on
hours or shut down completely due to efficien-
cy losses. The impact on the lower-tier suppli-
ers would be immeasurable.
The crumbling of domestic suppliers would
also hurt others in the global auto industry
because Toyota and other automakers rely
on many of the same suppliers as the Detroit
Three. If other automakers lose a steady and
secure stream of parts, they will have to pay
premiums for extra inventory and supplier
bailouts, which in turn would raise prices for
the consumer. Demand for steel, glass, rubber,
plastics and computer chips would decrease,
leading to a far-reaching recession that would
alter the state of the world's economy for some
time.
And do not forget the 2.5 million jobs. Should.
the auto industry fail, those 2.5 million people
would not be able to pay their mortgages. They
would cut back on spending, scaling back on
cable television, going to the movies and every-
thing else in their life.
And the ripple effect wouldn't stop there.
One estimate says that by the end of 2009, more
than 2,000 dealerships would close. That would
lead to hundreds of thousands of job losses.
These auto dealers are significant employers in
small towns and also frequently donate to local
causes.
Overall, consideringthe failure of auto com-
panies, suppliers and dealerships, the U.S.
would experience billion of dollars in lost tax
revenue, mandating further cutbacks in spend-
ing for national programs.
I must admit I am slightly biased. I am from
Michigan and I have worked in the auto indus-
try for three summers. My father and brother
work for the automakers. Our extended fam-
ily, all based in Michigan, has been gainfully
employed by the industry as well.
But regardless of my personal connection to
the industry, it remains clear that the Detroit
Three have provided so much for the nation's
economy. What is hard to understand is Con-
gress's reluctance to give a $25 billion bail-
out to these companies when it readily doled
$150 billion to AIG without asking for a plan.
I understand I'll be footing the bill on my taxes
when I graduate, but I would happily pay the
price for an ounce of prevention today than
face the costs that would come with a collapse
of the auto industry further down the road.
Brian Rumao is an Engineering senior.
With modern sound, new Britney
album still drives fans crazy
TO THE DAILY:
I write to you first and foremost as true music "obsesser."
I am constantly on the prowl for new sounds and new art-
ists, appreciating both the production of an album and the
artists themselves. I found the Daily's review of the new
Britney Spears's album "Circus" horribly lacking in any
depth (Another 'Circus'act, 12/03/2008).
Instead of truly reviewingthe album, David Riva chose to
rely onhis prejudice againstthe now self-proclaimed "Queen
of Pop." It doesn't seem as if he actually listened to the CD
in the first place. There wasn't a single mention to any of the
truly amazing production that went into the album.
. I'll admit, I am a Britney fan, however that alone would
not make me love this album. What made me love this album
was its sound. Ignoring the lyrics and paying attention to
the actual sounds puts this album well above the circus of
albums out there. The album has modern, experimental
sounds and still caters to the classic Britney fan.
Additionally, Riva's comments on the lyrics were just
plain naive. "Blur" clearly isn't a song about how crazy Brit-
ney's life is. The song is about how truly messed up she was
before. "My Baby" is a ballad to her two children and lacks
the production quality of the rest of the CD because her chil-
dren are the focus of the song. It's simple. "Circus" is the title
to reflect the utter circus her life has become.
Overall, this CD is full of honesty and amazing dance
beats. Please have your reviewers first listen to the CD and
second go into it with an open heart.
Chris LeClair
LSA junior
Liquidation might not be best for
Detroit 3, but it's bestforAmerica
TO THE DAILY:
I do not believe that the Detroit Three should be bailed
out, loaned money or allowed to operate under bankruptcy
protection. A swift Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation is not
only the best solution, it is also the only one.
First, the federal government is massively in debt, and
because of other bailouts, further expanding our national
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU
debt. This expansion will only be met withnew taxes either
through inflation or the bayonet. In other words, the solu-
tion is taxes.
Second, even if the federal government was running a
surplus or had no debt, which I believe is impossible for a
government to achieve, it would still be impossible to save
the Detroit Three. In 2006, when the market was flush with
credit and the economy was "booming," there were record
auto sales. Even then, the Detroit Three were not making
money. Why should other states be forced to pay for our
mistakes? Let's subsidize those who fail, and tax those who
succeed.
Third, contrary to popular claims, 3 million jobs are not
at stake. For one, workers at General Motors Corp. receive
about $70 per hour in compensation, while other foreign
auto manufacturers pay Americans an average of $40 per
hour. This discrepancy is ultimately unimportant, that is
unless the Detroit Three fail and other auto companies could
employ millions more Americans. The machines and skilled
laborers have real value, and although they may be sold
at fire sale prices, this just means that GM's creditors and
stockholders suffer. The companies that buy these assets get
a bargain. Ultimately, companies like Toyota would employ
moreworkers thanGM currentlydoesdueto excellentman-
agement they run successful businesses. Let those who can
run a business properly do so.
Lastly, what signals would a possible bailout send to the
market? Should we also not bailout house building compa-
nies? They employ lots of people, and their death could hurt
Home Depot or Lowe's, which would in turn hurt lumber
mills and wiring plants. Bailing out the Detroit Three would
have seemed unlikely nine months ago, but since then the
allegedly "laissez-faire" Bush administration has bailed out
every financial firm accept Lehman Brothers that has run
into trouble. Now everyone else has an excuse for a handout,
and the auto companies are first to the trough.
Chapter 7 bankruptcy would allow for a swift liquida-
tion of capital assets so that they could be bid to their dis-
counted marginal value productivity. When that is allowed,
new jobs will be created in other states. There would be a
period of dislocation of people and jobs, but it will not last
forever. We need to cut taxes, cut regulations and mas-
sively decrease government spending. Perhaps GM would
not need billions of dollars in cash infusions from the fed-
eral government if it was not being robbed by unions and
the government in the first place through high taxes..
VincentPatsy
LSA senior
The Daily is looking for a diverse group of strong, informed writers
to be columnists next semester. Columnists write 750 words on a
topic of their choice every other week.
E-MAIL ROBERT SOAVE AT RSOAVE@UMICH.EDU FOR MORE INFORMATION.
: