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4A - Thursday, September 22, 2011

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- the The Complete Spectrum: Chris Dyer gives a recap of
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A Grand Project

STEPHANIE STEINBERG
EDITOR IN CHIEF

MICHELLE DEWITT
and EMILY ORLEY
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS

NICK SPAR
MANAGING EDITOR

Unsigned editorials reflect the official position oftthe Daily's editorial board.
All other signed articles and illustrations represent solelythe views of their authors.
FRO TE QMl
The Big 'Green' House
'U' officials should consider solar panel project
group of alternative energy supporters are looking to make
the Big House a little greener. Ann Arbor 350, a project
of the Ecology Center - a nonprofit environmental orga-
nization based in Ann Arbor - is petitioning to have solar panels
installed on Michigan Stadium. The effort will continue through
the fall with supporters acquiring signatures on Football Saturdays
and circulating the petition online. The University should respond
to this petition by seriously looking into the possibility of solar pan-
els or other eco-friendly energy initiatives for the athletic facilities.

The panels will make a statement about
the University's commitment to bettering
the environment and reducing the use of
fossil fuels. Monica Patel, a policy specialist
at the Ecology Center, is calling on Univer-
sity President Mary Sue Coleman, Athletic
Director David Brandon and Terry Alexan-
der executive director of the Office of Cam-
pus Sustainability to lead the initiative in the
pursuit of alternative forms of energy. This
venture would make the Big House the first
NCAA school to pursue such an eco-friendly
endeavor.
There are professional sports teams that
have already installed solar panels at their
stadiums. The Washington Redskins of the
National Football League have begun using
solar panels that provide up to 20 percent of
Fed-Ex Field's game day electricity. The Seat-
tle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles have
also embraced green technology efforts such
as wind turbines and bio-fuel. Solar technol-
ogy is used in Major League Baseball as well:
The San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox,
Cleveland Indians and Colorado Rockies
have solar panels installed on the roof of their
respective stadiums. In all cases, the technol-
ogy serves to offset conventional energy usage
and reduce emissions.
The Big House and Chrysler Arena have

undergone recent renovations, but increasing
energy efficiency at these facilities should be
a priority. The University has the opportunity
to have the first NCAA stadium to use solar
technology, and regardless of whether solar
panels are the answer to sustaining Michigan
Stadium, something should be done to reduce
the environmental impact of the most famous
icon of the University's athletics.
In spite of its obvious benefits, the practi-
cality of the project is a major concern. The
findings of a feasibility assessment done in
2009 show that the most efficient module, if
installed, would displace 9 percent of the sta-
dium's energy load per hour, while also reduc-
ing other harmful emissions. However, even
with these benefits, solar panels are costly.
The report estimated the installation of solar
panels would cost about $1.5 million. It would
take 26 years for that amount tobe paidback in
energy saved. The University should explore
all cost-effective possibilities for alternative
fuel before committingto a plan.
The University and the Athletic Depart-
ment should look seriously into whether solar
panels or other alternative fuels are viable
options to power the Big House. Solar panels
have already been implemented with success
at several professional athletic venues, and the
University should pioneer these efforts.

f I could turn the clock back to
my freshman year, one thing
I'd make sure to do is thor-
oughly read Cal Newport's blog,
Study Hacks.
His blog has
changed how
I view success
and how I aim to
achieve it during
and after col-
lege. Here are a
few things I've
learned from ERIK
Newport's blog: TORENBERG
Master a rare
and valuable
skill; don't spread yourself too thin.
Send your c-mails in large batches;
don't whimsically check your inbox
throughout the entire day. Focus
on working right; don't brood over
finding the "right work."
But perhaps my favorite idea of
Newport's is one - if I had imple-
mented earlier - I believe would
have significantly improved my
student experience: Have a Grand
Project.
Throughout college, I majored in
economics and became involved in
a couple extracurricular organiza-
tions. Problem sets and meetings
took up a large chunk of my sched-
ule, leaving me little time to pursue
my own projects. I once told myself
I would start an organization dedi-
cated to restructuring education
paradigms, but I never got around
to it. I once told myself that I would
write a screenplay about my first
years of college, but I never got
around to that either.
It's unfortunate because these
projects were the experiences that
would have enriched my life per-
sonally, socially and profession-
ally. Amid many of my academic
requirements that failed to elicit my
complete engagement, these were
the opportunities to actualize what
I truly wanted and believed in. Of
course, it's never too late, but it's
better to start early.
And it's not like such ambitious,
exciting projects are simply unre-

alistic. My friend Alex O'Dell, Ger-
ald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Senior, filmed a documentary a cou-
ple summers ago in India, and then
presented it on campus this past
weekend. My friend Allen Kim, Col-
lege of Engineering senior, started
his own business last year, Beba-
rang, and this year he is working on
it full time. Alumni AJ Holmes, Ali
Gordon and Carlos valdes (who I
would like to have as friends), wrote
an entire musical inone summer and
then gave a captivating performance
at TEDxUofM lastyear.
These projects were not complet-
ed through any formal programs.
These students pursued their pas-
sions on their own terms.
What they did was perform
Grand Projects.
If while reading this, you've been
thinking, "Well, I've always wanted
to do 'X,"' or if looking back at your
years at the University, you'd be
incredibly proud of yourself if you
accomplished a certain "X," then
I implore you to make that your
Grand Project - to at least try "X."
A Grand Project is an opportu-
nity for you to pursue your passions
or merely explore your interests. It's
also an opportunity for you to com-
bine your class work, extracurricular
activities and free time into a person-
alized project, customized to your
beliefs, talents and idiosyncrasies. A
Grand Project may even help you, as
it did Allen Kim, discover what you
would like to do after college.
A Grand Project will leave you
bustling down the hallways, induce
exciting ideas when you least
expect them and infuse your daily
life with a sense of purpose and sig-
nificance.
But what if you don't have an idea
for a Grand Project? If your "X" is,
like mine was, "something impact-
ful" and "you'll just know it when
you see it," then pursue an interest
on the side, and see where it takes
you. Or perhaps you already have
a full schedule with classes and
extracurricular activities. That's
fine, as long as they satisfy the "X"

condition mentioned above. If they
don't, find a way to tailor your cur-
rent activities into a Grand Project,
and if that's not possible, it may be
helpful to re-evaluate.
After you decide what you'd like
to accomplish, where do you begin?
Newport provides some recommen-
dations: First, talk to people who've
done something similar in the past.
Learn where they succeeded, and
learn where they failed. Second,
set clear expectations and goals
for yourself and your Grand Proj-
ect. Third, ensure that you receive
feedback consistently. Applying to a
competition, publicizing your work
or sharing it with close friends will
confirm that you are either on your
way to achieving your goal or that
you are behind and need to catch up.
As a matter of fact, a great oppor-
Seize every
opportunity in
your path.
tunity exists on campus to receive
feedback for your Grand Project:
1000 Pitches. Hosted by MPow-
ered, 1000 Pitches is an entrepre-
neurial competition that collects
ideas for businesses, social ventures
and improvements to the Universi-
ty. Submitting a pitch will allow you
to outline your Grand Project, and
other incentives will help to hold
you accountable.
If you would like further encour-
agement and feedback on your idea,
send it to Grandproject@umich.
edu, and MPowered will evaluate
how it can help you. Who knows?
Perhaps in the future, with enough
interest and participation, some
organization may hold a 1000
Grand Projects competition.
-Erik Torenberg can be
reached at erikto@umich.edu.

YONAH LIEBERMAN I
Support a two-state solution
It's nothing new to hear the phrase: The have tried to paint the Palestinians' initiative
Middle East is in turmoil. Our generation has as the latest evidence of the well-worn narra-
been hearing it ever since we began hearing tive that "we have no partner for peace."
the term Middle East. And we have heard: Throughout the United States the orga-
This time it's serious? This time it's for real! nized Jewish community has launched cam-
And we have learned to ignore such apocalyp- paigns - including here on campus - that
tic warnings. offer the language of peace but present the
But upon reading Thomas Friedman's piece same story we've heard for years.
in The New York Times this past Sunday - At a time when we must challenge both
summarizing Israel's growing isolation, the parties to come to the table, these campaigns
Palestinians' growing frustration and the place the entire blame on Palestinians. They
United States' growing irrelevance in the fail to mention the unprecedented security
Middle East - many of us were left thinking cooperation between Israel and the very same
"Maybe this time, it is for real." Palestinian Authority. They fail to mention
Tomorrow, Mahmoud Abbas, president the consistent expansion of Israel's settlement
of the Palestinian Authority, will go before enterprise.
the United Nations and submit a resolution Placing the blame solely on the Palestin-
declaring Palestine an internationally recog- ians is unhelpful and destructive for two rea-
nized independent state. Our entire lives we sons: First, it undermines our true partners
have worked tirelessly to witness the historic for peace: Palestinian Authority President
momentwhen a state of Palestine could finally Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian President
be created, living side-by-side in peace and Salaam Fayyad. Israelis, Palestinians and the
security with the state of Israel. International community recognize - as we
But this isn't that time. do - that the Palestinian leadership today
The morning after any vote at the U.N. - presents Israel with the greatest opportunity
no matter the shape or scope - conditions for peace in nearly two decades. And, rather
on the ground will not have changed. Israel than trying to support them, many in the
will still be in full control of most of the West American-Jewish community and Congress
Bank. Gaza will remain under blockade and are pushing to cut all funding to the Palestin-
in the control of Hamas. Israel will still be ian Authority. J Street and J Street UMich are
restricting the movement of Palestinians with vehemently against such counter-productive
checkpoints. Rockets will likely continue to measures, as shown by our ongoing campaign
fall on southern Israel. Israel will continue "Fund Peace," through which we're encour-
to build roads for Israeli citizens that criss- aging continued funding of the Palestinian
cross through and surround Palestinian cit- Authority.
ies. Products will still be unable to leave the Second, these simplistic arguments that
Gaza Strip. And Israel's future - as a Jewish place blame on just one side are overused
democratic homeland - will remain precari- rhetoric that have, for far too long, proven
ous. After any vote at the U.N., the resolution problematic for many students - Jewish
of the conflict will still require renewed diplo- and non-Jewish - and alienated many from
matic efforts, negotiations, American leader- engaging with an issue and place that is of
ship and international support. such importance. We must use this as an
J Street - the pro-Israel, pro-peace lobby opportunity to demand nuance to the con-
and the parent group to J Street UMich - versation. We can start by openly challenging
evaluates any international action on the basis those in Congress who are demanding coun-
of whether it promotes peace, enhances secu- ter-productive cuts in aid to the Palestinian
rity and improves conditions on the ground. Authority.
This resolution unfortunately doesn't do When students are presented with the
any of those things. For that reason, J Street opportunity to act in a way that truly reflects
supports the U.S. opposition to a Palestinian their values and treats them as intellectually
statehood bid. serious citizens, they will respond. Now is the
But, unlike many in the Jewish community, time to prove it once more.
we view the Palestinian approach to the U.N.
as a legal and non-violent effort to achieve This viewpoint was written on behalf of
self-determination. Rather than respond to J Street UMich by Yonah Lieberman, He
this approach in a proactive way, too many is the current J Street UMich Chair.
1t 4

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS:
Aida Ali, Michelle DeWitt, Ashley Griesshammer, Patrick Maillet,
Erika Mayer, Harsha Nahata, Emily Orley n
Teddy Papes, Timothy Rabb, Seth Soderborg, Andrew Weiner
Think beyvond yourself

6

xcuse me, I'd like to make
a toast. I'm usually not one
for formalities, but I'd like
to welcome the
class of 2015 to
Ann Arbor.
Congratula-
tions freshmen,
you should feel
fantastic about
yourselves s
right now. NoE
but really, you EAGHAN
nailed the ACT. DAVIS
You managed to
remain in the top
15 percent of your class and coast-
ed through senior year. Just a few
months ago you received your Mich-
igan-embossed acceptance letter.
It was a silver platter, a metaphori-
cal promissory note guaranteeing a
bright socioeconomic future.
Enough with the pleasantries.
You're here now, and you'd like to
know what it's really like inside this
place. If you ask that question the way
your overzealous parents will during
fallbreak, the answerswill come eas-
ily. Yes, the cafeterias aren't horrible.
Yes, the weather is bearable. And yes,
your fraternity's beer olympics are
highly competitive, and of course,
you won. Just kidding. Underage
drinking is illegal and immoral.
So here it is. Throw out any infor-
mation your cheesy tour guide told
you. We'd be kidding ourselves if we
explained college in terms of green
grass, pretty buildings and prestige.
I'm not trying to insult anyone, but
think about it - there are pretty
buildings, unique restaurants and
green grass in every college town.
The one you chose to inhabit isn't
special. If you're wondering what it's
like to be a college student, my sug-
gestion is to do yourself this favor:
Forget the reason why you chose to

come to the University, forget rank-
ings and forget showboating your
acceptance letter. Let your father
hang the letter in his office. Don't
worry, he'll keep it safe. You have no
use for it right now.
I know if I were reading this last
year, I'd have a few four-letter words
in mind. I've single-handedly dimin-
ished all you've strived for. Believe
me, I know you were an all-star in
high school. Yet, today you're here,
and here is an odd sanctuary in this
country. College is a place where
people think too hard. They think
beyond sense and sometimes beyond
their personal achievements.
Thinking beyond yourself - your
achievements and views - is, I
believe, the most valuable lesson I
learned last year. It starts when you
consider this: Your thoughts, your
very existence and the world have all
been shaped through the experienc-
es you've had prior to stepping foot
on campus. It's a simple idea, and yet
so often it's out of reach. The way you
think may not be correct (it probably
isn't.) It can and will change. Other
people think differently, whether
they come from across the world or
down the street. Maybe they're right.
If you get on board with this idea,
you feel your core challenged on a
deeper level than you've experienced
before. This year, you may expect
that in your fall political science lec-
ture you'll affirm why your political
views are correct. After your mid-
term you'll find problems not with
your views but with our whole politi-
cal system.
It begins to spread. Your new
friends are "those people." They
begin to seem not so horrible after
all. Maybe you won't burn them at
the stake. Maybe you'll date one of
them and not tell mom and dad. You
might adopt the view your father has

told you to ignore 1,000 times. You'll
explore and probably accept new
political, religious and social ideas.
Then you'll realize views are every-
thing but concrete, and you'll change
them once again.
You might look at people different
from you and take something from
their beliefs. You'll be humbled a
bit. I was, and I still am. This way of
questioning everything around you
won't make you sure; it will make you
radically unsure, at least temporar-
ily. Yet, knowledge is not confirma-
tion. Knowledge by its roots is new,
and if you want to gain more insight,
you must go beyond what you already
know. And what do you know better
than yourself?
Throw out what
your campus tour
guide told you.
So freshmen (I hope you're still
with me), give this philosophy a try-
it would be hard anywhere else with-
out dorms and libraries with millions
of books at your disposal.
This difference will open your
mind. Then you'll know what being a
student at the University can be like.
Get ready. If it happens, many things
you thought were important won't be
anymore - and you won't care. You
probably won't realize it. It may be
your greatest accomplishment.
Anyway, that's what I think of
Michigan right now. You might
disagree in a few months, and so
might I.
Eaghan Davis can be reached
at daviseas@umich.edu.

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