4A - Wednesday, February 18, 2009
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the University of Michigan since 1890.
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GARY GRACA ROBERT SOAVE COURTNEY RATKOWIAK
EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations representsolely the views of their authors.
F MTHEDA ILY
Bon voyage, bank account
New study abroad requirement unfair to some students
ach year, hundreds of University students travel all over
the world, taking advantage of one of the best learning
experiences the University offers: study abroad. But while
the option to study abroad provides a great opportunity, making
it a requirement is not such a good idea. Under a new policy, all
undergraduates in the School of Art & Design will be required to
study abroad during their college career. This may sound great
in theory, but concerns about the financial strain on already bur-
dened students makes it clear that this policy should be more
thoroughly reviewed before it is implemented.
O
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The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
Like, your whole priorities change
after having a baby."
- Bristol Palin, during her first interview since having her baby,
as reported on Sunday by Reuters.
o i
4
W hen you think about sourc-
es of probing cultural
reflection, MTV is prob-
ably the last thing
that comes to mind.
But even though
"Music" Television
has degenerated 1
into shock-fests and
horrible reality gar-
bage, a recent pro-
gram gave me some
startling insights
into how pop cul- EILEEN
ture views mascu- STAHL
linity.
That show was
"Bromance", a
reality show starringrthe all-too-
appropriately-named Brody Jenner.
You may know Brody from his role on
"The Hills" (I didn't), and that stint
apparently made him rich enough for
cars, penthouses and a license to be a
total asshole. Despite his astronomi-
cal douchebagquotient, MTVtracked
down nine dudes desperate enough to
compete for his approval in a compe-
tition to find Brody's "new ultimate
bro."
Since we hadn't heard of a concept
that silly since someone claimed MSA
was relevant on the world stage, my
own bros andI were eager to watch the
program. But a layer of subtext piqued
my interest: In our homophobic soci-
ety, wouldn't a show about a bunch of
dudes attempting to secure the affec-
tions of another dude be "too gay"?
Well, apparently, MTV execs had
the same concern, because the cast of
"Bromance" goes to hilarious lengths
to assert its heterosexuality. Within
the first few episodes, the boys are sent
on a questto see who can bring the hot-
test woman to a lingerie party; they sit
around a campfire telling tales of their
sexual exploits; and a particularly cre-
ative bro constructs a miniature golf
course in which one hits a ball into
a cardboard woman's gaping mouth,
much to the raucous guffaws of all.As a
woman, I admit that I should have been
more offended than I actually was, but
for the most part I inexcusably chalked
it up to (dumb) boys being (dumb) boys.
However, what really rubbed me the
wrong way was the cast's treatment of
another contestant named Gary.
Gary was a dance instructor who
was constantly forced to explain how
"not gay" he was, even though he
seemed to me like the only normal guy
on the show. Nevertheless, the rest of
the cast incessantly ridiculed him for
such things as dancing (you know, his
job) and for talking about how much he
enjoyed the company of one particular
womanwhilst the other bros expressed
how much they enjoyed screwing mul-
tiple women with abandon (a lot, as it
happens). When Gary was at last"elim-
nated" from the show, hethought, like
I did, that his presence may have been
a mistake. "I don't belong here," he
said. "I'm not a jock." He was right -
he came off as a caring guy who is, or
should be, comfortable with himself as
a man.
Of course, "caring guy" and "jock"
don't have to be mutually exclusive,
and sometimes, "Bromance" doesn't
always portray it that way. The boys
share many emotional moments, shar-
ing their innermost feelings with each
other and crying about their families
on more than one occasion. While a bit
tacky to see on national television, this
is something I can get behind.
But it didn't make sense, then, that
they singled out Gary - especially as
there were some genuinely bromoerot-
ic moments on the program that made
his alleged transgressions seem about
as feminine as Bruce Willis driving a
stick-shift using only his pectoral mus-
cles. In the first episode alone, Brody
kidnapped the contestants from their
beds and assembled them in his liv-
ing room in various states of undress,
then hosted the first elimination round
in a rather cramped hot tub. Actually,
my friends and I began to suspect that
Brody was genuinely homosexual and
needed someone to talk to about his
feelings.
I wouldn't have batted an eyelash
at these incidents if it weren't for the
show's creepy misogyny and selective
homophobia. I haven't even mentioned
Mike, the show's only openly gay
character who appeared for a single
episode before "deciding" to leave. I
would have, too, as the poor guy was
ignorantly accused of trying to hit on
Brody at every turn. Here's an amaz-
ing fact for heterosexual males: just
as every woman doesn't nosedive into
your cock, you are not God's gift to gay
men, either.
Reality TV at its
worst: intolerance
and misogyny.
"Bromance" reveals society's dis-
comfort with the shifting concept
of masculinity. They hammered the
point home about how manly they
are in many offensive manners, then
include Mike to show that they're
"sensitive" - while leaving him open
to unacceptable ridicule. Gary, mean-
while, was the show's sacrificial lamb;
his presence allowed the boys to talk
about their feelings while maintaining
their manliness.
What "Bromance" - and arguably,
American culture - doesn't realize is
that the concept of what it means to
be masculine or feminine is constantly
shifting. A woman attending college
would have been unacceptably manly
as recently as 50 years ago, while in
some ancient cultures, homosexual
intercourse was a sign of mannish
virility. It's impossible to be 100-per-
cent manly, since the very idea of mas-
culinity is mostly socially constructed
- which is why in the end, I prefer men
who don'ttry so hard.
- Eileen Stahl can be reached
at efstahl@umich.edu.
The University is one of the biggest par-
ticipators in study abroad among institutions
with graduate level programs, having the
sixth most travelers during the 2006-2007
school year. Of undergraduate programs, the
School of Art & Design has a strong rate of
participation. About half of this college's stu-
dents choose to go abroad during their time
at the University.
Butunderthe newpolicythe school added
last week, students won't be choosing to go
abroad - they'll be forced. Starting in the
fall semester of 2010, all undergraduates in
the School of Art.& Design will be required
to study abroad for at least three weeks to
graduate.
While studying abroad may be a relevant
and influential experience for students,
it also costs money. For many students,
attending the University is already a finan-
cial burden and studying abroad may not
be viable purely for financial reasons. By
instituting this policy, the School of Art
& Design is ignoring the circumstances
of students who can't afford the costs of
studying abroad.
The School of Art & Design seems con-
fident that in the majority of cases, stu-
dents' financial aid will carry over when
traveling. But it can't guarantee this in all
instances, and that's a problem. Though
there are scholarships that students can
apply for specifically dealing with study
abroad programs, applying for scholar-
ships takes time and isn't a sure thing. And
even ifa student is awarded a scholarship,
it may not be enough to cover the costs of
going overseas. Securing a way to pay for
such travels should have been the school's
priority well in advance of making study
abroad mandatory.
Luckily, the School of Art & Design rec-
ognizes the costs as an important issue for
students. According to Joe Trumpey, the
School's director of international engage-
ment, the School has fundraising goals
to improve financial aid for study abroad
programs. And an expected increase from
alumni donors to contribute to the financial
aid should help out students who don't have
the cash to pay for the trip on their own.
Aside from these cost issues, study
abroad just isn't a viable option for every
student. Other suitable excuses exist -
some students need to work to pay tuition,
for example. While such a group may be
in the minority, its existence means that
the School of Art & Design really needs to
rethink this policy.
it's certainly true that study abroad is
an enriching educational opportunity. The
School of Art & Design's high rateostu-
dents already taking advantage of this is
encouragingproof. Butby mandating study
abroad before explaining how all students
could afford it - and by ignoring the reali-
ties of certain students for whom study
abroad just isn't a good fit - the school
instituted a rash policy. The School of Art
& Design should take a closer look at this
policy, keeping in mind the financial situa-
tion of most students at the University.
CONTINUOUS ENROLLMENT WORKING GROUPI VIEWPOINT
The money behind continuous tuition
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. Letters are edited
for style, length, clarity and accuracy. All submissions become property of the Daily.
We do not print anonymous letters. Send letters to tothedoily@umich.edu.
As the Michigan Student Assembly examines its future on campus,
the Daily would like students to voice their opinions on what
should be a part of its agenda.
E-MAIL YOUR IDEAS TO ROBERT SOAVE AT RSOAVE@UMICH.EDU.
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU
Tuition, state money woes
aren't Granholm's fault
TO THE DAILY:
You are right, Patrick O'Mahen. The College
Democrats are an activist group on campus. Last
fall, we registered 4,667 voters and, previously,
we stood in solidarity with GEO as they fought
for a fair wage. Today, our members are working
across the policy spectrum to advance progres-
sive ideas on the state and national levels.
But you were wrong when you fundamen-
tally misrepresented the budgetary situation
and Governor Jennifer Granholm's advocacy
on behalf of University students in the state of
Michigan (Schooling Granholm, 02/16/09). Far-
cical analysis of the state budget fails to take in
account the extraordinary circumstances that
are facing this state as it weathers the current
economic conditions.
Granholm has been a steadfast proponent and
defender of state education funding since she
first stepped into office. Granholm is on record
as stating that with President Obama's stimulus
package, the proposed cuts will be unnecessary.
This goes for both K-12 education and higher
education spending. It also increases the Pell
Grant program to address the needs of low-in-
come students. Furthermore, Granholm's record
has consistently defended education spending.
Blaming Granholm for the hard decisions facing
this state is unfair.
The Republican Party has taken a strong
stance in both the state legislature and Congress
in favor of cutting spending across the board,
especially education. State Senate Majority Lead-
er Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) stated recently he
wanted cuts to education spending no matter
how much aid comes from the stimulus pack-
age. Granholm cannot expect willing partners
amongstate Republicans when they demand cuts
to higher education. Additionally, Republicans in
the U.S. Congress recently removed $40 billion
in aid to states. This was essential aid that would
have been used to fix these deficits in education
funding at the state level.
In these critical times, it is important to rec-
ognize that everyone is being forced to tighten
their belts. It is also important to recognize that
tuition is not the only issue critical to students.
Since the election, the College Democrats have
- focused on health care advocacy, prison reform
and sustainable growth in Michigan. Each one
of these campaigns addresses a significantly
ignored partof the budget that would immeasur-
ably improve the lives of students. Stereotyping
student concerns by focusing solely on tuition
minimizes our own pain and allows students to
be framed as extremely self-centered. These are
tough times for the entire state of Michigan, and
we are merely one constituency.
The College Democrats look forward to work-
ing with O'Mahen, MSA, LSA-SG and any other
interested organization on developing a forward
thinking action plan to address all issues affect-
ing students - not just tuition.
Nathaniel Eli Coats Styer
The letter-writer is the chair of the University of
Michigan chapter of College Democrats.
Two weeks ago, the Daily ran a
front-page story lauding the potential
benefits of Rackham Graduate School's
proposed continuous enrollment pol-
icy (Rackham dean pitches new enroll-
ment policy, 02/05/2009). This would
require all graduate students to enroll
and pay tuition for their entire program
of study even if they are researching or
writing their dissertation outside Ann
Arbor, activities that currently qualify
as tuition-free "detached study".
As noted in the resulting editorial
(Rackham's mistake, 02/11/2009), this
will increase enrollment by almost 30
percent while leaving funding levels
unchanged. Students currently paying
candidacy tuition will pay at a lower
rate, while those currently on tuition-
free detached study will pay approxi-
mately $6,000 per year to maintain
access to University resources. The
money freed up by lower rates will go
toward additional tuition fellowships
to be distributed by departments. The
books, we are told, will balance out.
So how could a proposal that is rev-
enue-neutral for the University pos-
sibly be bad? Graduate students don't
pay their own tuition anyway, so what
are they complaining about, right?
Rackham's publicity materials
emphasize how continuous enrollment
will give students full and uninter-
rupted access to University resources.
We question whether students con-
ducting field interviews in Central Asia
or writing a dissertation while living
elsewhere with a working spouse will
benefit from access to the University
gyms and University Health Services.
Students outside Ann Arbor simply do
not use the same amount of University
resources.
Rackham seems to believe that
once all graduate students are "prop-
erly enrolled," relationships with fac-
ulty mentors will improve drastically
because students will be able to say,
"We're paying for your time!" Butgood
mentoring relationships are built on
trust and reciprocity, not monetary
exchange.
As well as the dubious value to
students of a continuous enrollment
requirement, there are potential unin-
tended consequences. The Daily's
editorial could not have put the main
problem better: "The Rackham execu-
tive board is trying to streamline grad-
uate programs that demand flexibility."
Research takes unexpected turns and
personal lives continue during pro-
longed study. Sometimes, the single no-
questions-asked semester off under the
proposal just isn't enough to sort these
things out, and paying an extortionate
fee to re-enroll or re-apply only makes
it harder to return and complete.
Any barrierto cutting-edge research
damages graduate education, the Uni-
versity's reputation and, ultimately, the
quality of undergraduate education as
the best and brightest potential stu-
dents seek opportunities elsewhere.
Tackling a profound question and cre-
ating new knowledge by conducting
field research is already daunting with-
out having to obtain a fellowship to
cover tuition during an absence. Even
if, as Rackham Graduate School Dean
Janet Weiss says, there will be plenty
of fellowships to go around, and even
if we take on faith her word that only
students who bear the entire burden of
paying for their educations might end
up paying more (Student groups criti-
cize plan for a continuous enrollment
requirement, 02/11/2009),this proposal
creates a perverse incentive for depart-
ments to value quick completion over
cutting-edgeresearchandstudentbody
diversity. Excellence, and not churning
out carbon-copy Ph.D.s, is the point of
a major research institution.
So if the revenue effect is neutral,
why even have such a policy if gradu-
ate students will be financially unaf-
fected and there are potentially grave
consequences? We agree that gradu-
ate education at the University is not
perfect. Many of our colleagues do not
complete their degrees. But how many
of these could be "rescued" by continu-
ous enrollment versus how many will
be scared off from returning by the
administration? Why is Rackham only
now surveying students after the pro-
posal has been passed by its executive
board on which student representa-
tives have no vote?
In response to a letter containing
specific questions about the lack of
evidence in support of such a policy,
Rackham administrators sent back a
laundry list of initiatives underway
to improve graduate education at
the University. Then, in response to
the actual questions, they said, "We
believe that the continuous enroll-
ment policy is an important compan-
ion to these activities and will align
the provision of University services
and resources with program expecta-
tions for graduate students' work in
Ph.D. programs."
The University teaches us to exam-
ine arguments and evidence with a
critical mind and not to accept things
on the faith or belief of others - yet this
is exactly what Rackham wishes us to
do on this policy.
For further information, or to get
involved in the student response
to this proposal, please contact
cewgforchange@umich.edu.
This viewpoint was written by the
Continuous Enrollment Working Group.
ROSE JAFFE E-MAIL ROSE AT ROSEJAFF@UMICH.EDU.
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EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Nina Amilineni, Emad Ansari, Emily Barton, Elise Baun, Harun Buljina, Ben Caleca,
Satyajeet Deshmukh, Brian Flaherty, Emmarie Huetteman, Emma Jeszke,
Sutha K Kanagasingam, Shannon Kellman, Edward McPhee, Matthew Shutler,
Neil Tambe, Radhika Upadhyaya, Rachel Van Gilder