01
4A - Thursday, February 4, 2010
. The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan since 1890.
420 Maynard St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
tothedaily@umich.edu
JACOB SMILOVITZ
EDITOR IN CHIEF
RACHEL VAN GILDER
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR
MATT AARONSON
MANAGING EDITOR
Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles
and illustrations represent solely the views ofttheir authors.
Counting on students
Students have a responsibilty to complete 2010 census
With the new decade upon us, it will soon be time for
students to take 10 minutes to participate in the U.S.
census. The census counts the number of people liv-
ing in the country and in each state and is used to determine the
amount of federal funding each state will receive. Results from
the 2000 census showed that students living in college towns
had a lower response rate than any other demographic. But since
census forms determine how much federal funding Ann Arbor
will be given, student response is vital. When students receive
their census forms in March, they should do the city a favor and
fill them out.
This plan - diversifying our economy,
educating our people, protecting them
along the way - this is the path forward.
- Gov. Jennifer Granholm, speaking in her final State of the State
address, as reported yesterday by the Detroit News.
CHRIS KOSLOWSKI |A E-MAIL CHRIS AT CSKOSLOW@UMICH.EDU
You would eat McDoubles? 1<
So the national debt is if we dividedtatup every isn't ttlikecanni b um?
almost $10 trillion .American could buy 30,00
Mcoubles-enough food Dude, if they lled me and
Yep d for sixteen years. made me into a McDoubsle.t1& o c
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In with the old, in with the new
0
As reported by the Daily on Monday, the
2000 census showed a low turnout rate
for college students. The national average
for responses hovered around 67 percent.
In contrast, one area of Ann Arbor - com-
prised mostly of student housing - had a
response rate of 38 percent. To combat this
trend among students, the University has
taken measures to encourage students to
participate in the upcoming 2010 census,
which will occur in March. The University
plans to launch a video campaign contest
in an effort to reach out to students. The
videos are meant to clear up any confusion
about where to register and increase stu-
dent participation. The best video submis-
sions will even receive a monetary prize.
It's good that the University is working
to increase student participation in the
census because every individual matters.
For every person who doesn't complete the
census, the community loses $1,200 in fed-
eral funding each year. Because students
didn't take the time to fill out the census in
2000, Ann Arbor has been missing out on
funding that it could have invested in proj-
ects like fixing Ann Arbor's dismal roads
and infrastructure. Students who don't
complete the forms are doing Ann Arbor a
disservice.
Some students' confusion regarding
census rules is understandable. Students
aren't permanent city residents and may
think they should be counted in their home
town. But the census should be filled out
where individuals are living the majority
of the year as of April 1. So for students
who attend the University eight months
out of the year, Ann Arbor is the place to
register. Even students who aren't U.S.
citizens must still fill out the census form.
And don't worry about obtaining a census
form - they are delivered to every resi-
dence in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
It would be helpful if the Census Bureau
made the survey available online. The
bureau's website claims that Internet
forms will be available in the future, but
won't be offered this cycle. On top of being
more user-friendly, the online forms would
be more environmentally-friendly. The
bureau should make online forms available
for the 2020 census.
For now, students will have to cope with
filling out the forms the old-fashioned way
in hardcopy and returning them via snail
mail. Filling out the census only takes
about 10 minutes - most people will only
have to answer 10 questions - so there's no
excuse for not doing it.
It's up to students to get Ann Arbor
proper funding. So get your pens ready.
The night before I left home for
my first year of college, Ihad
heart-to-heart with a lifelong
friend at our favor-
ite coffeeshop.
Within hours, we
would be embark-
ing on journeys to
separate schools,
putting 600 miles
between us. And
that night, in addi-
tion to saying
our farewells, we MATTHEW
mused on our anx-G
ieties about going GREEN
to college, fitting
in and meeting
people in our new environments.
She was leavingsoon for New York,
where she would be attending school
with only one girl whom she already
knew. And though she was sure she'd
quickly find friends, her story was
decidedly more unpredictable than
mine. I, in contrast, had made the
decision to join 40 or so other kids
from my high school en route to Ann
Arbor. That number included many
of my closest friends, in addition to
the majority of people from my high
school that I didn't detest. I was
optimistic and pleased about com-
ing to college with a sizeable cush-
ion of friends. But as I continue my
second year at the University, there
have been times when I've envied my
friend in New York for going solo, so
to speak, after high school.
On the one hand, it's rare and
delightful that I can hang out with
my childhood friends, even in this
pseudo-adult stage of my life. Some-
times just seeing them casually, even
in passing, brings warm memories to
my mind. And in the first weeks of
school, it was certainly comforting
to see a familiar face walking toward
me on the Diag.
But as time went on, a number of
questions arose regarding the new
social world I was constructing for
myself. I debated the extent to which
I should see my old friends, whom I
wouldn't otherwise see in classes or
my dorm. I wondered if I should try
to incorporate my high school friends
with those whom I had met in col-
lege. And I even considered whether
or not I ought to consciously sever
ties with certain friends for the sake
of "moving on."
I framed these questions on terms
of what I "should" or "ought to" be
doing, using these auxiliary verbs to
imply some sort of obligation. Indeed,
whether or not I was obligated to
maintain my old relationships has
ultimately been the key question of
my adjustment to college life. And I
suppose I'm still not sure I've figured
it out completely.
If my friends were at other schools
and I didn't see them every day, I
wouldn't feel bad about it. There would
be no superficial imperative to assert
my love and affection for them. But on
campus, if I didn't see my friends from
home on a regular basis, I often felt
guilty. Since we were in the same city,
I thought, I really had no excuse not to
see them. And I'd often get that feeling
thatIgetwhen Iwait longer than usual
to call my parents.
At our school in particular, per-
haps as at any large public university,
there are presumably many pockets of
friends who have continued on togeth-
er since high school or even earlier.
And this can surely be terrific. For all
of my angst over continued high school
relationships, I, too, am still very close
with a handful of childhood friends in
Ann Arbor. But I think people in this
position really need to consider their
social decisions wisely.
I get by with a
little help from
. my friends.
It's important to understand that
none of us are duty-bound to main-
tain our relationships from high
school. Old friends make terrific
confidants and will unequivocally
support you when you need it. But if
the relationship isn't fitting in with
the life you've created in college, it's
essential to recognize this and figure
out the perhaps less central role you'd
like them to play. Also realize that no
longer seeing your old friends fre-
quently does not equate with no lon-
ger loving them. It just means you're
organically evolving with the ebb and
flow of college and not adhering-to
the confines of adolescence.
I'm still a little jealous of my friend
in New York. Not only did she create
many new friendships, but she could
also reinvent herself completely. Had
she wanted, she could've shaved her
hair or renamed herself Coco with-
out anyone from high school rolling
his or her eyes. But since I've gotten
past the awkward questions - and
gotten rid of the "shoulds" I had been
hearing - I've been able to restore
balance to my social life. And I know
I'm much happier, too, with a perfect
blend of old and new in college.
- Matthew Green can be reached
at greenmat@umich.edu.
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Nina Amilineni, William Butler, Nicholas Clift, Michelle DeWitt,
Brian Flaherty, Jeremy Levy,Erika Mayer, Edward McPhee,
Emily Orley, Harsha Panduranga, Alex Schiff, Asa Smith,
Brittany Smith, Radhika Upadhyaya, Laura Veith
LAURA VEITH I
Ann Arbor and 'U'
Most students have only four years to expe-
rience the University and the Ann Arbor com-
munity. And although academics are extremely
important, students - including myself - need
to take a step out of the library and seize all of
the opportunities and attractions offered in
Ann Arbor. This town provides so many cul-
tural, artistic, and dining resources that many
students fail to take full advantage of. But in
return for student patronage, the city of Ann
Arbor needs to put more of an effort into cam-
pus promotion of featured city events.
It is extremely difficult for students to expe-
rience attractions and events if there are limited
or even no advisements displayed to students on
campus. Though students need to start seizing
upon the countless opportunities offered by Ann
Arbor, the city must work at promoting events
more within the campus community.
Take, for instance, Ann Arbor Restaurant
Week, an event that included discounted lunch
and dinner meals at 28 participating local res-
taurants. The event was held Jan. 17 through
Jan. 22. One would think a significant event
like this would be featured in countless adver-
tisements in campus buildings and on the
streets enclosing the University area.
Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The first
time I heard about the event was ina Daily arti-
cle that ran on Jan. 25, after it was already over
(Second Ann Arbor Restaurant Week stimulates
local economy, 01/25/10). The event came and
went before I had the opportunity to make it
down to Main St. With discounted specials at
reasonable prices, many students would have
loved to take advantage of the offer. But by
failing to properly advertise around campus,
restaurants downtown lost the business of
potential student customers. It's a shame that
students and the participating restaurants
couldn't both benefit.
Similarly, the Michigan Theater failed to suf-
ficiently promote on campus the recent view-
ing of a Sundance film. The program, entitled
Sundance USA, allowed select theaters around
the country to view a film typically only avail-
able during the Sundance Film Festival. Though
the Michigan Theater did do a fair share of
advertisement around and within the city, the
advertisements were not prominently displayed
throughout campus. For instance, the theater
rented a billboard on I-94. But I am one of the
unlucky students who doesn't have a car and thus
am nottravelingdown the highway too frequent-
ly. This failure in advertising within University
buildings and along campus streets limited stu-
dent involvement in the event.
The disconnect between the University com-
munity and the city businesses needs to change.
Students could provide local businesses with
a significant amount of patronage if they were
informed of special events that would appeal
to them, like Restaurant Week and the Sun-
dance film at the Michigan Theater. There are
40,000 students on campus that local busi-
nesses haven't been targeting - but they should
be. Students are a large population that the city
hasn't been focusing on that could potentially
spend a lot of money at local businesses. Though
Ann Arbor hasn't been as severly affected by the
recession, it could still benefit from increased
student patronage.
And students would benefit from increased
attendance to local events, too. I came to the
University for more than just its academic and
athletics - I came for the city of Ann Arbor as
well. Ann Arbor is viewed nationwide as one of
the best college towns. But I spend most of my
time in University buildings and facilities. And
despite the occasional meal on State St., I rarely
venture out of my home at dinnertime, especial-
ly during these harsh Michigan winters. With
only a year and a half left here, I hope that the
city will increase advertisements on campus, so
that I will be able to fully take advantage of all
that is offered in Ann Arbor.
Laura Veith is a senior editorial page editor.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Readers are encouraged to submit letters to the editor. Letters should be
fewer 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 tothedaily@umich.edu.
0
EMILY ORLEY|
Do, ask, do tell
Terrorism is not the only topic currently under attack
in Iraq and Afghanistan. On Tuesday, Defense Secretary
Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Adm. Mike Mullen, brought a proposal before Congress to
overturn "Don't ask, Don't tell," a much-discussed regula-
tion that prohibits gay people from serving in the United
States military. The policy, ironically enacted for the bet-
terment of the gay community, has afflicted countless men
and women, along with their families and troops.
We live in a time during which racial or religious dis-
crimination is intolerable. And we live in a country that
was founded on the ideal of freedom of speech. So howis
it acceptable for people to be forced to hide their beliefs
or be subjected to such judgmental punishment if they
refuse to do so?
Former President Bill Clinton used this policy as a
scapegoat instead of overturning the ban against gay men
and women entirely. And while it was an improvement, it
was still a far stretch from the most moral option. Since
it was created in 1993, the policy has discharged over
12,000 people, whether they were actually gay or simply
suspected to be.
U.S. Army Lieutenant Dan Choi, a graduate of the West
Point Military Academy, was an Arabic translator specialist
for the United States Army before he was dismissed in June
2009. Choi, who was referred to by many members of Con-
gress as an "exceptional" soldier, represents a large group of
people who are key figures in our military but are punished
for telling the truth. Discharging an Arabic translator - a
position that is already difficult to fill - is a hazardous deci-
sion. Without proficient Arabic speakers, there is inevitable
chaos amongst civilians, leaders and soldiers.
This past November, ABC News reported that over 52
percent of the population disapproves of the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan. Our country is stuck in a commitment
that puts thousands of our troops in harms way. The men
and women that enlist understand they are knowingly
and willingly stepping into potentially dire situations. In
circumstances such as these, the military is inno position
to turn away anyone willing to fight. And in doing so they
are thinning a population that is already too thin.
According to a Gallup poll conducted last May, over
69 percent of American adults - including liberals, con-
servatives and independents - were in favor of allowing
openly gay people in the military. And while some argue
that the policy is in place to protect the gay community,
whom they believe would face uncontrollable backlash
from other soldiers, many military men are standing up
against this claim. General Colin Powell, the nation's top
military officer in the 1990s and a supporter of the regula-
tion under President Clinton, is now speaking out that it
should be overturned.
In a country as strong and advanced as ours, military
authorities should be able to find a way to allow men and
women to publicly express their views without retaliation
from their peers. Around the globe, there are over 30 coun-
tries that currently allow openly gay men and women in
their military service, including the United Kingdom - a
country that fights with us abroad. This number has in fact
increased by about 30 percent in the past three years, with
seven more countries lifting the ban since 2007.
Congress is in a position to finally bury this topic.
There is no fair way to compromise. All people, regard-
less of their sexual orientation, are qualified and capable
of serving in the military. And in "the land of the free," it's
about time we start letting our soldiers live freely.
Emily Orley is a senior editorial page editor.
The Daily is looking for diverse, passionate, strong
student writers to join the Editorial Board. Editorial Board
members are responsible for discussing and writing the
editorials that appear on the left side of the opinion page.
E-MAIL RACHEL VAN GILDER AT RACHELVG@UMICH.EDU
FOR MORE INFORMATION.