4
4B - Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
fJ i*idigan &iIt*j
Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan since 1890.
420 Maynard St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
tothedaily@umich.edu
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position oftthe Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations represent solely the views ofttheir authors.
The Daily's Editorial Page is a forum for diverse opinions on key issues of
contemporary concern. In honor of the class of 2009, this page represents
a compilation of insights surrounding the most compelling events that
occurred over the past four years.
Raising it through the roof
Latest tuition increase of questionable necessity
r 14
High rises are destroying the
image of Ann Arbarl This is
Tree Towa, not Skyscraper
Town!
So what's your solutone
to provide affordable
student housing?
hu...wels
III
Yeah e's what I thought
Someone has a solution
that makes economic and
environmental sense
and you worry about bannng
p~- bap ...
Le ssons to live b
t's that time of year again when stu-
dents receive their annual gift from the
Board of Regents - atuition hike. It's an
unfortunate reality that tuition may need to
be raised over time, but the rate of increase
at the University may be unjustified. And the
way in which this hike was approved didn't
allow questions to be raised.
The hike was based on an assumed 2
percent increase in state funding. But at
the time, the increase being debated in the
state's legislature was closer to 3 percent.
Next year, in-state students will be paying
5.6 percent more than last year. And over
the last four years, tuition has increased a
whopping 34.6 percent.
The costs used to justify the raise are
questionable. According to the University,
the need for higher tuition is derived from
expense increases like rising energy pric-
es, improving faculty pay, hiring faculty
members and updating technology. But it's
debatable whether things like hiring fac-
ulty at the expense of students should be a
priority.
For Michigan, a knowledge-based econ-
omy is essential to addressing the state's
economic woes. This means it's necessary
to prioritize expenses and trim spending
before raising tuition. The most important
priority should always be the student.
But it's not just the big price tag on a Uni-
versity education that's alarming - the
way it was approved is upsetting as well.
The hike was passed at the Regents meet-
ing two weeks ago without any discussion.
That's unacceptable considering the effect
this decision will have on students. Instead
of working behind closed doors and leaving
students in the dark, the University needs
to answer students' questions, say why the
increase was necessary and explain how
to avoid increases in the future.
- June 30, 2008
enioritis can display a number
of symptoms - most commonly
assignment-inducedeyerolling,
excessive alcohol
consumption and
chronic truancy. In
my case, it has also
caused frequent ;
bouts of nostalgia
and reflection.
The University
has been the site
of my most pro- EMMARIE
found development
as a student and a HUETTEMAN
person. And since
this is a community that thrives on
the contributions of its members, it
would be selfish for me not to give
something back. Here are a few phi-
losophies I've picked up during my
college years that apply not just with-
in these ivory towers, but out in the
real world as well.
Lesson #1: Sometimes a B is more
satisfying than an A.
On the first day of law class, my
professor looked out at the dozens of
eager faces and asked who among us
was planning to attend law school.
Hands shot up, leaving just me and a
few others shifting uncomfortably in
our seats. As the professor passed out
the syllabus, he noted casually that
students often drop the course after
the first exam.
Many didn't wait that long. By the
end of the second week, the other non-
law students were gone, along with
several of the law-school bound.
To call the course difficult would
be an understatement. I spent most
of the classes just trying to figure out
what the professor was saying, never-
mind contributing my own thoughts.
My notebook had more question
marks in it than words. I laughed
when my GSI made jokes about U.S.
Supreme Court justices, but I had no
idea what was so funny.
It took until nearly the end of
the semester but something finally
clicked. Ididn'thave to keep Wikipedia
open in class to look up terms. I spoke
up occasionally. And I even laughed
knowingly a couple times at Associate
Justice Antonin Scalia's expense.
That semester, I got a couple of As,
but the grade I phoned home about
was the B I earned in that law class.
There is nothing quite as satisfying
as knowing you accomplished some-
thing you once thought too difficult
to try.
Lesson #2:It's not studying abroad
ifyou regularly eat at McDonald's.
University students go abroad for
many reasons. Some love to travel,
some want to hone their foreign lan-
guage skills, some crave adventure,
and some just get sick of Michigan.
But no matter why you want to
go, be sure to truly live the experi-
ence. Learn about the location and
its history before you arrive, sample
the local food, ask questions, wander
around without a guide or even get
lost on purpose to see where you end
up and talk to people.
And before you go to bed each night,
write in a journal. You'll find that
even the most insignificant details
can yield the best musings later. Plus,
everyone will ask you how your trip
went, and if you've been away for a
longtime (and are jet-lagged enough),
you may have trouble remembering
anything more than the flight home.
Lesson #3:Sometimes roommates just
suck. Choose to find the situation funny.
I've had a roommate who would
be sitting in my room watching TV
when I came home, even though
she had her own room and TV. I've
had a roommate who smashed my
car's turn signal and then repaired
only half the damage, arguing that I
had broken the rest. Even one of my
favorite roommates left used insulin
needles scattered on the floor.
It's rare to find someone who per-
fectly complements your living hab-
its. There's bound to be at least one
thing, big or small, that bothers you
- and there will be at least one thing
that bothers your roommate about
you, too.
There are three rules to create a
successful living situation: Be honest
about your flaws, be frank with your
roommate(s) about your concerns
and be reasonable if they voice con-
cerns about you.
If all else fails, fantasize about sell-
ing their belongings on eBay. Laugh
about it (but don't actually do it), and
then find someone better next year.
Lesson #4: There is no perfect major.
Look beyond your concentration
requirements for courses that peak
your interest. Political science majors
interested in environmental issues
may be surprised to find themselves
What I've learned
wasn't all from
classes and profs.
enjoying a geology course. Biology
students may be inspired to start an
academic blog after taking a course
from the Sweetland Writing Center.
And if the course offerings still
leave something to be desired, talk
to your professors and advisers about
volunteer and employment options.
Network with other students or do
your own research in an independent
study. Don't just complain that your
major isn't what you want - make it
what you want.
The University has a lot to offer
its students, from a broad range of
courses to knowledgeable professors
to enthusiastic student groups. But
all it can do is make these opportuni
ties available - it's up to you to take
advantage of them.
- Emmarie Huetteman can be
reached at huetteme@umich.edu.
Settling for less
Stadium deal a minor victory in long line of failures
Better late than never - that's about
the best that can be said about the
University's settlement with the
Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America.
While it's encouraging that the University
is finally agreeing to necessary accommo-
dations, this settlement hardly negates the
11 months of unconscionable resistance to
making the stadium wheelchair accessible.
In April 2007, the Michigan Paralyzed
Veterans of America sued the Univer-
sity for failing to meet the requirements
of the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990. While the University didn't admit
any wrongdoing, it agreed to a settlement
requiring 329 wheelchair-accessible seats
in Michigan Stadium by 2010 and improved
accessibility to bathrooms, concession
stands and ticket offices.
Instead of admitting to its thoughtless
and illegal practices, the University tried to
protect its reputation as inclusive. First the
University tried arguing that the construc-
tion plans were "repairs" instead of "reno-
vations." Then it tried a pathetic plan to
add 14 wheelchair-accessible seats in hopes
of appeasing its critics. Thankfully, no one
was convinced.
This prolonged negative attention could
have been easily avoided. If the administra-
tion had lived up to its commitment to an
open dialogue on Big House construction,
this problem might have been considered
and dealt with in the beginning stages.
And it's embarrassing to hear some on
campus blame the Michigan Paralyzed Vet-
erans of America for causing the Big House
to lose its spot atop the utterly meaningless
list of the country's largest stadiums. Fans
who care about this should not direct their
contempt on football Saturdays to their fel-
low fans in the wheelchair section. Instead,
they should look up - above the crowd
and above the press box - to the seats for
the University's leaders who thought the
Michigan Athletic Department was above
the law.
- Mar. 12, 2008
Life, death and lists
A 21st century Michigan
Stem cell research will help state's reputation
For the third election in a row, Pro-
posal 2 asked Michigan voters to
prove they are open-minded and
willing to advance their state to the pro-
gressive forefront of this country. And for
the first time, it looks like a majority of
them have accepted the invitation. Pro-
posal 2 - the ballot initiative seeking to
allow otherwise-discarded embryos to be
used for stem cell research - passed.
Getting to this point was a tough fight.
The initiative's opposition - bankrolled
by ultra-conservative organizations and
thousands of shadowy donors who may
never be identified - tried to shamelessly
lie its way to victory. Arguments that the
initiative would allow human cloning and
raise taxes were false.
It would have been easy for people to
believe these lies. But this initiative was
seen for what it was - a question about
whether we should discard the embryos
from our fertilization clinics or use them
for life-saving and economically beneficial
embryonic stem cell research.
Scientists in Michigan can now move
forward with research that holds almost
limitless potential. Embryonic stem cells
have the potential to form any other type
of cell. Using embryos that would have
been otherwise discarded, scientists can
better research cures for diseases like Par-
kinson's and Alzheimer's.
On a symbolic level, passing this initia-
tive shows how serious Michigan is about
opening itself up to new industry and the
changing world. This message never rang
true when Michigan residents were vot-
ing against progressive measures like
same-sex marriage and affirmative action.
But the passing of Proposal 2 shows that
Michigan residents are open-minded and
that they want to be a part of progressive
movements.
Any day in which reason defeats fear
and lies is a joyous one. Today is one of
those days.
- Nov. 5, 2008
There comes a time in people's
lives when they reflect on lost
opportunities, forgotten child-
hood dreams and
what truly makes
them happy.
Most die before
this happens.
Astheschoolyear
dwindles down,
however, existen-
tial crises are on the -
rise. Life choicesWILL
are being called into
question. Intended GRUNDLER
majors are falling
under intense scru-
tiny. All over campus, students are ask-
ing themselves if they actually want to
graduate with a degree in Choral Music
Education.
You might feel a little overwhelmed.
Maybe you don't even have a major in
mind. Maybe that "Undecided" T-shirt
you bought as a joke to make your par-
ents laugh is still in your closet, but
your parents aren't laughing anymore.
Your friends are, though. Only they're
not your friends - they're weird voices
inside your head.
I might be of help. The answer - like
most answers - lies in list making. List
making is a process that condenses
incredibly complex issues into simple,
manageable steps. The entire Ameri-
can way of life - the Declaration of
independence, weight loss, etc. - relies
on making lists with specific resolu-
tions in mind.
If you're worried about choosing the
wrong career and leading an existence
of utter boredom, it might be beneficial
to make a "life list" of all the amazing
goals you would like to accomplish
before you die and are forgotten about
forever. A good plan is to start with
modest goals and then increase in com-
plexity, assuming future technology
improves.
Here is a brief example of one of my
lists to getyour ideas going:
1. Buy more toothpaste (with fluo-
ride).
2. Box out weird guy with beard dur-
ing next pick-up game. He is short but
quick.
3. Grow a beard.
4. Start to read the news and hold
opinions.
5. Join the Squirrel Club.
It's always a good idea to have your
first few goals be relatively frivolous
and/or unambitious. Thus, if you don't
accomplishthemyou'll knowyou'renot
really cutout for this sort of thing. Sub-
sequent goals should start to become
more difficult.
6. Pass Calculus II at a community
college.
7. Run for president of the Squirrel
Club.
8. Print lots of little colored pieces of
paper with nothing on them and pass
them out on the Diag. See if anyone
notices the difference.
9. Abolish something.
10. Teach my friend from Ohio how
to operate indoor plumbing.*
*I recommend placing a star by any
goal that you feel is especially challeng-
ing. After ten or so goals, you have to
start predicting what your life will be
like in the future so you can continue
to be spontaneous. Odds are after ten
goals and about ten years you'll be stuck
in a boring job, so mix it up a little.
11. Sell the house, car and kids and
get aboat! Sail the world.
12. Do not sail the world near
Somalia.
13. Better just get a personalized
license plate instead.
14. Start drinking wine. Learn how
to swish it around and smell it without
looking silly.
The future is full
of possibility. And 4
maybe a big boat.
15. Run for the president ofyour kids'
schoolboard, then dismantle it because
school boards are just plain annoying.
At this point in your life list, any-
where from fifteen to thirty years may
have passed. Amazing, I know! Under
no circumstances are you required to
continue - you may find that fifteen to
twenty goals is enough. However, by
the period 2025 to 2040, impressive
technology may emerge. Feel free to
get creative.
16. Own some sort of futuristic
device that includes a phone, camera,
e-mail, calculator and girlfriend.
17. Clone it.
18. Contact extraterrestrial civiliza-
tions to see if they have any extra oil to
spare.
My list goes on, but the general idea
should be apparent by now. It's impor-
tant to remind yourself of what matters
- to think critically about your goals
before it's too late, even if you're major-
ing in Ceramics. So make your list. And
good luck.
- Apr. 15,2008
- Will Grundler can be reached at
sailgull@umich.edu.
A necessary leader
Barack Obama offers ideals, judgement America needs
CD [E
here are thousands of voters ... who realize only too well the
danger of electing a candidate who seeks to thrill with his
oratory, to bring a message of hope and cheer, without mak-
ingspecific promises or pointing to the way out of the labyrinth."
Those were the words printed in an editorial on this page on Oct.
30, 1932. A week before what was perhaps the most significant elec-
tion in our nation's history, the editors of this newspaper had yet
to make up their minds about a decision that, in retrospect, seems
laughably obvious: Franklin D. Roosevelt or Herbert Hoover?
The challenger to incumbent Hoover spoke with eager, fearless
positivity about all this nation could be. But it sounded too good
to believe. What did this one-term governor of New York really
know about managing a country in crisis? Shouldn't we instead
choose the man who has experience?
Seventy-six years later, we return to a similar question.
We're told that Barack Obama is too young, inexperienced, ide-
alistic and naive to be president. We're told he won't be able to
manage crises that will inevitably emerge and that he will make
the United States vulnerable. Some of this rings true - Obama is
young and his record is hardly distinguished. Nevertheless, he is
exactly what this nation needs today, the very thing it needed in
1932 - a leader.
Obama catapulted himself into this race with a speech in 2004,
a speech that resonated with a weary nation in a much greater
way than Obama could ever have anticipated. That happened not
only because it was a brilliant piece of oratory, but because, like
Obama's campaign, it rejected the ugliness of identity politics
that has been a key part of American life since the 1960s. In the
process, he has stripped away the stupid and bizarre definition
of "real America" that the Republican Party has exploited since
Sept. 11, 2001.
Critics argue that Obama is an empty vessel. They say he
doesn't have the fortitude to stand firm or follow through on what
he says. These may have been legitimate criticisms early on, when
Obama's campaign consisted of too much style and too little sub-
stance. But if Obama has shown anything in the course of his long
campaign, it's that he is a quick learner. His campaign has come a
long way in defining a platform that will work for this country.
Electoral pressures have dampened how outspoken Obama can
be on issues of poverty, taxes and health care. But after connect-
ing the dots he has dared to lay down in this oppressive political
climate, we can tell that Obama understands what is wrong in our 4
country and what needs tobe done to fix it.
He knows health care for every American is long overdue. He
knows the solution to our energy problems can't just come from
the ocean floor off Florida's coasts. He knows that horrifying
poverty exists in communities across this country. He knows that
terrorism can't be combated with just bombs, but must be fought
with international cooperation. He knows the war in Iraq was
misguided from the start and must be ended as soon as possible. 4
We endorse BARACK OBAMA for president of the United
States because we recognize that he shares with Roosevelt the
two greatest qualities an American president and the leader of
the free world can have - the audacity to tell the truth about
what ails America and the wisdom to find the right solutions.
- Oct. 29, 2008