4 - Friday, April 16, 2010
The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
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DANIEL GOLD
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 of their authors.
Room(mate) service
Social networking tool will make housing better
N ew students who are early risers concerned about being
randomly paired with a roommate who likes to party late
can relax. The University has partnered with LSA-Stu-
dent Government to create a new online roommate search service
in order to help students who are "going in blind" find compatible
roommates. This social networking program will give students the
opportunity to choose roommates that will not conflict with their
lifestyle. The University should continue to seek student input on
the initiative to tailor it to what students want from a roommate
and create a healthy environment for students.
SPRING FOOTBALL
WOW! Our Sure they do,
Offense Leeks - they're playing
GREATl! our defense.
Coming together for a cause
0
According to a report today by the Daily,
the University worked with LSA-SG to
construct a new way for students to choose
roommates with which they can be com-
patible. Students will create anonymous
profiles listing certain behavioral tenden-
cies like sleeping schedules and study pref-
erences for potential roommates to view.
To protect students' privacy, no personal
information will be available without a
user's consent. Participation is voluntary,
and those who don't want to be placed in
the new system can still opt for a random
selection. University Housing is currently
testing a pilot version of the program.
This new networking tool has the poten-
tial to improve students' first-year experi-
ence by providing them with a comfortable
living situation. Though being set up with
a suitable roommate won't remove all the
anxieties of beginning a college career,
the program will help the University avoid
pairings that turn out to be disastrous and
stressful for both people. Giving students
the opportunity to choose a compatible
roommate will help avoid the problems that
often arise from the University's traditional
system of random pairing.
But the purpose of this program isn't for
new students to find a roommate with an
identical personality. Roommates from dif-
ferent backgrounds can expose each other
to new interests - and this is an important
aspect of college life. To ensure that stu-
dents aren't just looking for a twin, most
of the information provided on the pro-
files won't be oriented on likes and dislikes.
Instead of focusing on activities, favorite
music, etc., the profile will help students
to find roommates that won't disturb them
while trying to sleep the night before an
important exam. This ensures that students
will use the program to find compatible -
not identical - people with which they can
live for the academic year.
Since students will be the primary users
of the service, it's crucial that their input be
gathered regarding its implementation. To
this end, the University collaborated with
LSA-SG on this initiative in order to solicit
student feedback as to how they could bene-
fit from such a program. This is a rare exam-
ple of the University actually reaching out
to students and considering their opinions
that shouldn't diminish in further efforts to
refine the program.
This program could be an extremelyuse-
ful tool and foster a healthy environment
for new students. But to make sure that
this networking program remains focused
on helping students, the University should
continue to work with students to provide
them with the most beneficial living situa-
tion possible.
SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@UMICH.EDU
could decide that undergraduates shouldn't be
allowed to consume alcohol. But that would be
a difference of degree, not of kind - and that's
the real problem with the campus-wide smok-
ing ban.
John Eitel
spent this past Saturday behind
bars - raising money for cancer
research. The rules were simple.
My friend put me
in a makeshift jail
for a small dona-
tion of $5, and I
had a half hour
of cell time to
beg passersby to
match this dona-
tion and bail me
out. From 12:26 to
12:50 I stood with LEAH
an outstretched POTKIN
arm, begging for
a few cents to be
dropped into my
red solo cup. Thankfully, I succeed-
ed, and was released onto the track
surrounding Palmer Field to take my
first lap asa participant in the annual
Relay for Life event to raise money
for the American Cancer Society.
Palmer Field was lined with tents
and booths of different teams, all
working together to fight the battle
against cancer. The event began at 10
a.m. Saturday, and for 24 hours, par-
ticipants walked and ran around the
track, making frequent pit stops at
the booths along the way. Some high-
lights included the '90s TV trivia sta-
tion, the tie-dye station, the energy
drink flip cup table and, of course,
the jail. With each completed lap
I was increasingly impressed with
the capabilities of the University's
student body, as it became clear that
Wolverines succeed not only as indi-
vidual organizations, but also when
they band together working as a larg-
er community.
As a sorority member and an active
participant in campus Greek Life,
I am well aware of the many ben-
efits a community atmosphere offers.
Between philanthropic events and
community support, Michigan Greek
Life succeeds in raising money for
different organizations worldwide.
Greek Life was of course a presence
on Palmer Field on Saturday, but so
were countless other student orga-
nizations. While I am accustomed to
seeinghow the Greek community can
work together, I wasn't used to see-
ing organizations ranging from the
Michigan Electronic Dance Organi-
zation, to the football team, to Team
MoJo all working collectively toward
a common goal - and it was truly
something remarkable.
At such a large university, there
are obviously countless ways to get
involved. While this has its obvious
advantages, the drawback is that
with so many organizations, students
are blind to most throughout the
entirety of their years here. Sure, we
get the Facebook messages and event
invites, but we never really know
more than an organization's name
(maybe slightly more if we take the
time to read the chalk writing in the
Diag or are kind enough to takea flyer
from a poor soul handing them out in
front of the Grad). But let's be honest:
For the most part, we're all immersed
in our own organizations and rarely
take time to work together or appre-
ciate each others' efforts. Relay for
Life, however, succeeds in pulling off
an event that joins the jocks, nerds,
frat boys, nurses, dancers and count-
less others to fight for a common
cause and learn about each other in
the process.
Not only was I not bored for even a
second at Relay, but seeing people all
so enthusiastic about the same thing
also made me feel like I was really a
part of something. Call me crazy, but
I was so in awe of the whole event that
I even (voluntarily) came back to see
what the atmosphere was like at 4 a.m.
As I walked around the candlelit track
(after dark there is a Luminaria Cere-
mony where names of people touched
by cancer are written on bags with
candles inside and placed along the
track) I felt an overwhelming sense of
unity, as Relayers took turns sleeping
in tents and walking the track, show-
ing not only their dedication to the
fight against cancer, but their dedica-
tion and support for each other too (as
all teams had members participating
throughout the 24-hour period).
Student groups
unite for a cure
at Rela for Life.
Since I first set foot on campus, I
have known that the University is
an amazing school with an amaz-
ing student body, and participating
in this event only further confirmed
this belief. Students should take time
to recognize not only their own orga-
nizations, but those of others as well,
as we all need each others' support in
order to function most effectively as
a community. I urge all students to
take this advice. But if nothing else,
I urge everyone to get their ownteam
together and participate in this event
next year. And if you're really gener-
ous, dropping a few cents in my solo
cup to bail me out of jail would be
much appreciated.
- Leah Potkin can be reached
at Ipotkin@umich.edu
Key issues overlooked in
discussion of smoking ban
TO THE DAILY:
Much has been said about the smoking ban, Staff
but I feel in the hue and cry on both sides a few
key issues have been glossed over or ignored. ' hasn't
Several administrators, most recently Simone
Taylor, have gone to great lengths to mentions-d -in
the depth and breadth of student input on the s IU LJp
issue (The smoking ban initiative includes stu-
dent body's imput, 4/13/2010). And administra- TO THE DAILY:
toes have made a great effort to reach out to
students and the wider University community Simone Taylor's1
- after the decision was made. day (The smokingba
People around campus are upset about the body's' imput, 4/13,
ban because there was no opportunity for claims and illustra
input while the initial decision on the policy versity sees its stu
was being made. The uproar is about the pro- controlled at will.
cess, not necessarily the decision. And now Taylor claims th
administrators 'reach out' to talk to the com- ing ban is beingi
munity - but only about how to implement the input. She claimst
policy, not whether the policy makes any sense committee has has
for this campus. This isn't a conversation, it's a 1,500 students reg
whitewash. of the ban.
Dr. Robert Winfield, the University's chief But all "input" ha
health officer, helpfully lets us know that the mentation, rather tI
decision to make all three campuses smoke versity should hav
free was due to smokers gathering outside resi- Taylor's idea of stu
dence hall entrances (Campus-wide smoking dents to say how b
ban reflects what students want, 03/07/2010). their personal free
But isn't that like using a sledgehammer to kill rather than being a
a mosquito? versity's intrusions
This is where an honest effort to engage the ties in the first pla
community would have been helpful. There group is now in the
were so many other options that could have recommendations f
been pursued, rather than the 'nuclear option' shows the entired
that was taken. Options like establishingsmok- implement, not whe
ing zones, as they do at the hospital. Options And if Taylor cat
like modifying the language of the residential open and reasonabl
hall contract to require (instead of request, why hasn't the Uni
as it says now) smokers to stay away from the responses to the st
building. Options like better enforcement. out regarding the;
The real shame of the smoking ban is that it's because the vastt
remarkably myopic. Sure, it's relatively easy to their opposition tot
cross onto city property from Central Campus language of inevita
to smoke. But if you drove your son from Tra- Finally, why, if it
verse City to the University Hospital to get the ued, are all the su
best medical care no matter the cost, and find pletely closed off to
out your son has inoperable cancer, what kind Taylor cites "an i
of kick in the teeth is it to say 'Sorry sir, there is ing some of the be
no smoking allowed on campus'? and staff from acr
What about the international students (and, But this was a smal
frequently, their parents) who live in North- ed in a common cau
wood Community Apartments? Where would of adult students w
people go to get off-campus if they are at Pier- activity. If Taylor c
pont Commons on North Campus? input, she should h
I am a non-smoker, for what it's worth. But the 1,400 signaturt
in the final analysis, this is about University so far by the Burn t
President Mary Sue Coleman deciding, with- the ban.
out input, that the University can go beyond
state or federal law to decide for adults what Sam vanKleef
they can or cannot do. Hypothetically, she Business sophomore
The Daily is looking for diverse, passionate, strong student writers to join
the Editorial Board this summer. Editorial Board members are responsible for
discussing and writing the editorials that appear on the left side of the opinion page.
E-MAIL ALEX SCHIFF AT ASCHIFF@UMICH.EDU FOR MORE INFORMATION.
MATT MISIAK I
War on Drugs has led to violence
truly considered
iton smoking ban
letter to the editor on Tues-
an initiative includes student
/2010) was laughable in its
ted perfectly how the Uni-
udent body: as sheep to be
at the campus-wide smok-
implemented with student
that the Student Life Sub-
d valuable input from over
arding the implementation
as been regarding the imple-
han whether or not the Uni-
e the ban in the first place.
dent input is allowing stu-
best they can be robbed of
doms and health decisions,
llowed to object to the Uni-
and violations of our liber-
ce. The very wording, "this
e process of formulating its
for policy implementation,"
discussion is about how to
ether or not to implement.
red so much about allowing
4e input from students, then
iversity made public all the
udent survey that was sent
smoking ban? Perhaps it's
majority of students voiced
the ban despite the survey's
bility and leading language.
nput and openness is so val-
bcommittee hearings com-
the public?
mplementation plan reflect-
st work of student, faculty
oss the entire University."
, cherry-picked group unit-
tse of oppressing a minority
xho are engaging in a legal
ared so much about student
have paid more attention to
es that have been gathered
he Ban Campaign opposing
Apr. 13, 2010, the University's International Travel
Oversight Committee suspended student travel in Mex-
ico. This was due to the State Department's issuance of
a travel warning, which the committee says "informed
citizens of the risks of travel especially in parts of north-
ern Mexico, which have seen an increase in the severity
of violence and other criminal activity." The Oversight
Committee has concluded that "travel near the border
has become particularly hazardous" and that the situa-
tion is "unpredictable and fluid, and will likely continue
to remain so."
Why is it, you might wonder, that students can't safely
travel the world and enrich their learning experiences
through its diversity? What has happened in Mexico, a
home to a rich culture and exquisite art, that has caused
enough "violence and other criminal activity" to merit
the University's express concern for students wishing to
study abroad? If you don't know the answer, then itis time
to learn and help fight for change to put an end to the vio-
lence being wrought by drug cartels. If you ever want to
travel to Mexico for your studies, or if you want to help
save the innocent Mexican citizens caught in the middle
of the "criminal activity," you should write letters to your
congressperson or senator.
The problem in Mexico doesn't stem from a lack of
moral values amongst its citizens, a crazed Mexican dic-
tator vying for world power or an anti-government revo-
lution occurring there. It is being created right here, in
the United States. The so-called War on Drugs is contrib-
uting to the violence in Mexico, the cartels that control
the drug trade and general degradation in the quality of
human life that follows from this prohibitionist policy.
It's simple economics. Demand drives supply. If there
is a commodity that people want and are willing to pay
for, then there will be a supplier who is willing to sell
the commodity. The laws of supply and demand directly
apply to the black market - if you make a commodity (like
cocaine, cannabis or heroin) illegal, it becomes extremely
lucrative to provide that product. The demand for the
product is high and the supply is low, so the price of the
merchandise skyrockets.
An inherent problem with prohibition is that it takes
the control of a substance or item and puts it directly into
the hands of criminals - individuals willing to break the
law to make their profit. The immense profits available
create stiff competition between criminal organizations,
which, in turn, often resort to violence in the form of turf
wars. And it's generally the citizens of the surrounding
areas who suffer.
The point I am tryingto make is this: America's War on
Drugs is a failure. If you check your facts, drug use in the
U.S. is on the rise (especially among young adults), and
the potency of illegal narcotics has increased in recent
years. Not only that, but by keeping drugs illegal we are 0
also ensuring that there will always be money available
for criminal organizations such as the Juarez Cartel,
which effectively continues to fund violence in Mexico.
Does Juarez sound familiar? It should. Juarez City is
one of the many cities listed by the University Oversight
Committee as a danger zone. It was also the location of
the brutal murder of high school students on Jan. 31, 2010,
who were celebrating their soccer victory. They paid the
ultimate price for America's failure, which is the inabil-
ity to recognize that it is the drug war that is so harshly
affecting Mexico's citizens.
I encourage the whole student body and, indeed, the
whole of the American citizenry to evaluate and consider
the impact this self-proclaimed war has had, not only on
you and me, but on the rest of the world. It's time to remove
the money that drives the cartels. It's time for America to
legalize and regulate, not prosecute and damage. I urge
students to become active members in their world and
fight for those who cannot fight inequality alone. It's time
to stop creating violence and suffering in Mexico.
Matt Misiak is a member of Students for Sensible Drug Policy,
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Nina Amilineni, Jordan Birnholtz, Adrianna Bojrab, William Butler, Nicholas Clift, Michelle DeWitt,
Brian Flaherty, Jeremy Levy, Erika Mayer, Edward McPhee, Emily Orley, Harsha Panduranga,
Alex Schiff, Asa Smith, Brittany Smith, Robert Soave, Radhika Upadhyaya, Laura Veith
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