4 - Tuesday, September 14, 2010 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com E-MAIL ELAINE AT EMORT@UMICH.EDU ~ti 1iiiciga &U Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@umich.edu ELAINE MORTON I 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. The appeal of stem cells Funding for stem cell research shouldn't be cut he fate of stem cell research is in limbo. Last month, a judge issued a ban on federal funding for stem cell research. After an appellate court issued a stay on the ban that allowed funding to continue temporarily, researchers - including many here at the University - are left uncertain about the future of their work. Stem cell research holds too many benefits for the medical community, the University and the state of Michigan to be halted because of political debate. The U.S. Court of Appeals should rule in favor of the Obama administration's mandate for the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Last month, U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that federal back- ing of stem cell research violates federal law because it involved destroying human embryos, according to a Sept. 9 report in The New York Times. Last week, a panel of three U.S. District Court appellate jus- tices granted the Obama administration a temporary lift on a ban on federal funding for stem cell research. The appeals court granted both sides of the case until Sept. 20 to submit arguments, after which it will determine the validity of Lamberth's deci- sion. According to The New York Times article, the delay should allow Congress time to pass legislation that would make Lamberth's decision irrelevant. The benefits of stem cell research are too copious and important to be held up in the courts. Embryonic stem cell research holds the potential to cure numerous debilitating diseases. The scientific com- munity has long sought an expansion of embryonic stem cell research because of its potential benefits in numerous medical applications. Conditions like Parkinson's disease, cancer and organ failure could be more effectively treated with procedures developed through expansive research involving stem cells. The state of Michigan has positioned itself to become a leader in stem cell research. In 2008, a proposal on the state ballot legalized stem cell research. If the Court of Appeals rules to not reverse Lamberth's decision, Michigan loses. The expansion of stem cell research will serve as a catalyst in the state's underdeveloped science and technology sector, an industry that stands to create long-standing jobs with roots in educational research insti- tutions. Federal funding is needed to help augment those economic benefits. While the state certainly stands to gain substantially from the expansion of stem cell research, the true beneficiary is the University. As one of the nation's premier research institutions, the University stands to become a hub for stem cell research. The opportunity to be involved in this cut- ting-edge research will draw prominent researchers and professors to Michigan's already-impressive research community. But the research requires a secure line of federal funding to run smoothly. With its renowned medical school and research programs, the University is ready and will- ing to accept a leading role on the interna- tional research stage. Stem cell research holds the key to Michigan's growth and future. The eco- nomic, medical and institutional benefits speak for themselves. Crucial research should not be halted by this decision, and the Obama administration's mandate for federal funding should continue. ~ ~ Icgsyn the a te ucool t eNt N state. Or at least it has been by Daniel Howes. Everyone has the right to choose pretty much since cars But perhaps Synder, who cur- how to interact and negotiate with were invented and rently has a strong lead in the polls, their employer. The concept of forcing Henry Ford set up - should make right-to-work a priority union membership is bizarre. Forc- his assembly line, if he becomes governor. First, if you ing union membership is like saying, forever revolution- believe Singh's report, it could help "Join our group to protect your rights! izing the industry. create jobs. Second, forcing union Or else." But it may be more profit- But in recent years, membership limits a worker's profes- able for some professionals to strike the automotive; sional autonomy. out on their own and hire personal industry in Michi- - As a future teacher, I'm going to representation when hammering out gan hasn't been have to deal with the union issue. a contract. There can also often be a doing so well. I'm Because Michigan teachers are perception of enmity between unions sure you all recall RACHEL required to join the union, I will and management that people may the multi-million have to join the Michigan Education want to avoid. Either way, employees dollar General VAN GILDER Association if I end up getting a job in should be able to determine which Motors bailout in Michigan. But I don't really want to. course of action is best for them. An8 un vecnrs iholy da'unionpoic n a state where the automotive hpth1 conlumnins te hetrt e wch-s. industry has reigned supreme for ers' union is inherently corrupt or decades, the auto workers' union has fights for unfair benefits, I have some W orkers deserve been extremely powerful and influ- objections to forcing union member-. ential. And because Michigan has ship. a choice when it depended on the automotive industry I'm skeptical about the useful- for so long, it's no surprise that mak- ness of today's unions. During the comes rofunions . ing Michigan a right-to-work state - Industrial Revolution in the United which would make it illegal to force States, when employees at steel mills people to join unions - was never were working 14-hour days for petty really a consideration. wages in unsafe conditions, unions Though unions depend on num- But during his campaign for the were necessary to force employers bers for strength, there's no harm in Republican nomination for governor, to give workers their due. But today, allowing individuals to face off with in an effort to stir things up, Oakland when workers are protected by feder- management on their own. A few County Sherriff Mike Bouchard sug- al and state laws and have fair wages free agents aren't going to change the gested that making Michigan a right- and hours, unions often simply force demands of the union, which will still to-work state might help create jobs. employers into over-paying them and remain powerful enough to ensure Shortly thereafter, Dr. Hari Singh giving more benefits than companies that members are getting fair pay and of Grand Valley State University can afford to sustain. benefits. We aren't suddenly going to released a study that concluded that one prime example of this is Michi- revert to 14-hour days if the union is if Michigan would have 60,000 more gan's automotive industry in recent a bit smaller. Balance is important in jobs if it had become a right-to-work years. The way I see it, part of the auto business interactions. Forcing mem- state in the 1960s, according to a Sept. industry's financial struggles was that bership makes unions too powerful 5 article in the Grand Rapids Press. once profits started declning, busi- and tips this balance out of align- But neither gubernatorial candidate nssees couldn't afford to keep paying ment. - Republican Rick Snyder of Ann auto workers so much. But compa- The automotive industry is still Arbor and Lansing Mayor Virg Berne- nies were prohibited by contract from huge in Michigan. The unions are to - has said they'll push for a right- alteringepay and benefits. So they still powerful. But workers deserve to-work policy. Bernero, a Democrat overspent. Only once the companies options. And state policy should give supported strongly by labor unions, were in danger of failing completely them those options. obviously wouldn't call for a policy did they have the leverage to force the change that would hurt his backers. auto workers' union back into line. - Rachel Van Gilder is the Snyder, meanwhile, has said that the This obviously wasn't the only cause editorial page editor.She candbe issue is too "divisive," according to a of the Big Three's troubles, but itasta reached at rachelvg@umich.edu. 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. All submissions become property of the Daily. We do not print anonymous letters. Send letters to tothedaily@umich.edu. L.AURA VEITH interviewmyprofessor.com 6 TALK AMONG nodium ... YOURSELVES. The Daily's opinion blog wants you to weigh in. Will Butler wonders if the tough economy is causing the nation's youth to break up with the Democratic Party. Rachel Van Gilder wants to know if you think the new iClickers are better than Qwizdom. Go to michigandaily.com and click on 'Blogs'. HARSHA NAHATA | A need for active young voters 0 "Register to Vote!" I'm sure you've heard this phrase many times in the past week. It's probably getting old by now. Volunteers reg- istering voters can be found everywhere from the Duderstadt to the Diag. College students are being called upon to be politically active. November 2010 looms as an important election for both Democrats and Republicans. A dem- onstration of the significance of these elections came this past Wednesday night, when the University's Chapter of the College Democrats hosted Democratic National Committee Chair- man Howard Dean, Congressmen Gary Peters, Mark Schauer and John Dingell at Rackham Auditorium. Seeing such prominent members of the political community visit the University emphasizes the significance of the upcoming elections. Every one of their speeches empha- sized the importance of getting out there - volunteering, making sure friends and family are registered to vote and remaining aware of the issues. The speakers discussed some of the major issues facing our generation, like educa- tion funding cuts, economic woes and immi- gration concerns. In the midst of the current political, social and economic climate, these individuals serve as a reminder of why college students can't be apathetic and uninvolved. Right now, Congress is debating monumental legislation - legisla- tion that may permanently seal American bor- ders, redefine who is or isn't a U.S. citizen and determine the course of U.S. involvement in the Middle East. In such critical times, staying informed is not an option. It is a duty. Similar- ly, voting isn't an option. It's one's duty as an American citizen. "I remember what it was like to see the dogs loosed on people, who simply were crossing over into a different colored neighborhood to vote," Dean said in his speech to Michigan students, as quoted by The Michigan Daily on Thursday. "I remember what it was like to see the police turning fire hoses on peace- ful demonstrators. We are not going back." These statements sum up the critical nature of today's political climate. It's important, now more than ever, to rally together for whichever cause you support. Many students and people I've come across in the past few days simply aren't aware of the issues or the candidates. For many, this is sim- ply a midterm election. It's under their radar and quickly forgotten. In November 2008, President Barack Obama was able to mobilize a voter base that had previously been apathetic. The young generation was awakened, and we can't afford to go back to sleep now. What was done in 2008 needs to be repeated again this November because these elections are the ones that determine who is crafting actual policy. But political involvement doesn't just stop at being aware and going out to vote. In his address to students, Dean also emphasized, "So many Americans think all we have to do is vote and get our guy in, or our women in, and then they're going to do the work and we're going to go back to whatever we were doing before. It doesn't work like that. If you want your coun- try to work, you have to work every single day." Working means speaking out when things are said that are wrong. Working means believ- ing in the system and the ideals that the U.S. embodies. Working means striving everyday to keep an open-mind, even when policy contra- dicts your previous beliefs. And lastly, working means inspiring others to do the same. Regardless of your political affiliation or intended career path, as a citizen your coun- try needs you to go to work. In November, I once again hope to see a movement to the polls spearheaded by Michigan's youth. I'm answer- ing the call to duty. I hope you will too. Harsha Nahata an LSA freshman. If you were to stroll through any University library prior to the beginning of each course registration peri- od, I bet you would see ratemyprofessor.com - a website that rates and comments on countless professors from higher institutions across the country on criteria from overall quality to easiness of instructor - beaming from many students' computers. While it shouldn't be the only resource students use to select an appropriate course, it definitely serves a purpose when debating which profes- sor - or even which graduate student instructor - would best suit an individual's needs. In my experience, the website is a pretty helpful tool when constructing the ideal schedule. Unfortunately, despite my best efforts to use ratemy- professor.com, read the University's brief - sometimes very brief - course descriptions, talk with friends and meet with advisors, I always end up changing and modi- fying my schedule within the first week of classes. My grounds for dropping or switching a class always comes down to one of a few reasons. One, I wasn't a fan of the professor, or two, my vision of the progression the course and its material was completely wrong. And after seven semesters at the University, you'd think I'd have this pro- cess down to a science, but clearly I still struggle with it. However, a recent discussion with a faculty member at Sarah Lawrence College, a liberal arts institution in New York, introduced me to its course selection process, which could potentially be uniquely beneficial to both students and faculty if implemented here at the University. Prior to the start of classes at Sarah Lawrence, students are subject to an interview with the professor of each class they wish to enroll in. The interview, as described to me by the faculty member, is a way for the professor to meet the potential student and discuss the course materi- al in greater depth. After this process, students will select the courses that fits their interests. Likewise, faculty members must select the students they desire to enroll in the class. If the selection is mutual, then the student can register for the class. Though a process similar to this probably wouldn't be feasible at the University of Michigan if instated for all classes, it still could be productive and beneficial for cer- tain classes and schools within the University. And while it may seem like a grueling and extensive process, it may be one that the University might consider setting up for schools or majors with a smaller enrollment, or even for upper-level seminar classes that are competitive to enroll in and cap at a small number. Some University classes and programs already require some sortof application process, but it isn't as thorough as the one implemented at Sarah Lawrence. There are a few reasons why I think the Sarah Law- rence program might be more of a help than a hindrance if applied within the University community. First, the students could potentially gain from this experience. Students would be able to learn more about the course requirements, materials and the professor prior to set- ting foot in a classroom. They would have an opportunity to express their interest and desire in the course topic or realize that the course is no longer right for them. What- ever their reasoning may be, this process would give stu- dents the ability to "shop" for classes that they feel will be most beneficial for their growth as students, their educa- tional experiences and even assist their search toward a desired career path. At the same time, professors and faculty members could benefit from the program as well. Faculty members would be able to choose the students who they think would best succeed and add to the success of the course. Through this required interview process, the faculty members would be able to gauge which students they felt could lead a dis- cussion, contribute individual insight and be productive members of the classroom - creating a stimulating and suc- cessful environment for both teachers and students. While the faculty member from Sarah Lawrence with whom I discussed the program admitted that the process takes up a significant amount of time and energy, she also stressed that she was extremely pleased with the results. And maybe students and faculty members at the Univer- sity would be too if the process were implemented. Who knows how (or even if) this process could work, but we can't rule it out until we've given it a try. Laura Veith is a senior editorial page editor. I EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS: Aida Ali, Jordan Birnholtz, Adrianna Bojrab, Will Butler, Michelle DeWitt, Will Grundler, Jeremy Levy, Erika Mayer, Emily Orley, Harsha Panduranga, Tommaso Pavone, Leah Potkin, Asa Smith, Brittany Smith, Laura Veith