4A - Friday, September 7, 2012 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom 4A - Friday, September 7, 2012 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com ASHLEY GRIESSHAMMER JOSEPH LICHTERMAN and ADRIENNE ROBERTS ANDREW WEINER EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS 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. Resist "Temptation" Don't chant "You Suck" at tomorrow's game or anyone who's been to a Michigan football game in recent years, there's a peculiar tradition in which the student section chants "You Suck," to the tune of "Temptation." It's a student- made tradition that many enjoy, but it's also a tradition that can make our University appear petty. It's uncommon in the world of sports for teams and fans to come together and agree to cut down on negativ- ity and trash talk. It's all part of the game, right? It doesn't have to be. And that's why Michigan students should be commended for starting a movement aimed at banning "You suck" at the Air Force game on Saturday. Decisively undecided returned to Ann Arbor a . changed student. Yes, I'm a year older, a year wiser and all the other philosophical wisdom people mutter about. But most impor- tantly, I came back to campus with a clear idea of where I want to be and what I SARAH want to do. SKALUBA For those of you silently judg- ing the fact that I'm an undeclared junior, pardon me. But unfortunate- ly, I was in the ranks of freshmen that come through the University's doors with a cookie-cutter plan and a declared concentration. The first year of college as an undeclared student is a breeze. Peo- ple ask what you're studying, you. reply you're undecided. They quickly take pity, "don't worry - you still have so much time." Well, let me tell you a secret I've learned since then: They're wrong. Your collegiate years do indeed fly by. My freshmen year ended, then my sophomore year and before I knew it, I was lost in the "undecided, pre-med, possibly pre- health" shuffle that all too many stu- dents seem to find themselves in. If there's any sort of wisdom I can pass on to incoming freshmen and those still-undecided sopho- mores out there, it's this: Explore all that our college has to offer you. Whether it's that crazy first-year seminar about aliens or Econom- ics 101, move beyond your comfort zone. How are you supposed to know you love cultural anthropolo- gy if you never take an intro course? Or that your true passion lies in public policy, but you've only taken science courses? Outside influence - whether from family, friends or close men- tors - places immense pressure on decisions about concentrations and future career paths. Decisions that not only shape your entire under- graduate experience, but affect the opportunities you'll encoun- ter years from now and the person you'll ultimately become. It's extremely important to not only take a step back and think about yourself and what truly inspires you, but also to take into consideration your own individual goals and hopes. Too often, we get lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday campus life. Running to classes, cramming for exams and attempting to maintain some sort of social life doesn't exactly leave time for self-reflection. Not to mention that future finan- cial success, a well-respected career and job security are important factors constantly on our- minds. Especially today, when our nation's economy continues down a dan- gerous path and the post-graduate employment rate is worse than ever, with 58 percent of recent graduates either unemployed or underem- ployed. The economic environment we're currently facing is most likely one of the main reasons that more than half of all undergraduates are declaring concentrations in business, engi- neering or nursing, according to U.S Department of Education statistics. There's nothing wrong with these majors if it's truly what you feel pas- sionate about and want to pursue. But as young, determined Michigan students with a variety of skills and talents, we shouldn't feel restrict- ed to a pre-professional major just because it promises a specific career upon graduation. Why take advice from a complete strajsger who's both undeclared and already entering her third year of college? It may seem like the blind leading the blind. But honestly, if there is one thing I wish I would have known coming here two years ago, it's this. Discover what truly inspires you, take courses that excite you and real- ize you've only scratched the surface of academia. If you don't take advan- tage of all the opportunities thrust your way an undergraduate student, then when exactly do you plan on discovering your passion and niche in the world? Ignore outside influence and find your passion. Clearly, I took the roundabout way of getting to where am I now, but if it weren't for my misstep's over the past two years, I'd still be in the same undeclared, topsy- turvy mess I found myself waiting in a year ago. The eclectic courses I took, my work at The Michigan Daily and my recent experience working on a U.S. Senate cam- paign have helped shaped me as an individual and have paved a road towards a future I'm excited about and willing to work for. So here's to you guys - the help- lessly lost, continuously wandering, undeclared students of LSA. Don't lose hope, ignore outside pressures and never lose sight of finding what truly inspires you. -Sarah Skaluba can be reached at sskaluba@umich.edu. On fourth down, regardless of the score, the Michigan Marching Band plays "Tempta- tion." But while the band chants "Oh, Yeah," Michigan students chant "You suck." A few months ago, Michigan students took it upon themselves to put an end to this tradition, if at least for one game. With the Air Force game fast-approaching, students created a Facebook event urging other Michigan stu- dents to chant "Defense, Defense" instead of "You Suck" during the song. More than 2,100 people have joined the effort. This is a student initiative. And while reac- tions may vary, it'sgreat to see students striving to be more respectful at football games - espe- cially to those who serve in our country's armed forces. It's important to show other universities and sports fans that Michigan students have respect for those risking their safety for our nation's. This student objective has potential to promote respect at non-sporting events as well. By committing to this movement, students are proving they can take initiative and not simply react to an administrative decree. University administration has been threat- ening to force the band to stop playing "Temp- tation," but actions should not only be altered as a result of threats. As students of the Universi- ty, we should realize that the "You suck" chant can be perceived as - and usually is - imma- ture by our respected alumni base. After all, as college students, we should be above juvenile language, despite a competitive setting. By par- ticipating in the chant, we're encouraging neg- ativity to younger generations, as well as other schools the Wolverines face. As students of a University with leading reputations in a multitude ofstudies, we should also strive to be leaders in promoting respect. This movement is a first step toward eliminat- ing negativity. In this case, it is a matter of lead- ing by example. As a leader in collegiate sports, we need to act the part. On Saturday, by not chanting "You-suck," we can change aless than impressive tradition. Refraining from the "You suck" chant at the Air Force game this weekend is a simple, but necessary, way to show our appreciation for servicemen and women. Everyone should unite and participate in this effort to show respect. SANJAY JOLLY I Promote ciVil rights and education EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS: Kaan Avdan, Eli Cahan, Ashley Griesshammer, Nirbhay Jain, Jesse Klein, Patrick Maillet, Harsha Nahata, Timothy Rabb, Adrienne Roberts, Vanessa Rychlinski, Sarah Skaluba, Caroline Syms Get theperfect trip, not shot spent 10 days with my family traveling art in the world - even before a gelled-up Tom around London and Paris m Hanks starred in The Da Vinci Code In the I wish I could tell you that I come from Louvre, the smiling lady is in company of wall- l a family that goes to our chateau in Bordeaux to Fat handmade crepes every summer. That would have left me a hell of a lot more cultured that I am today. Instead, I come from a simple family. I hail from D.C. - a paradise for camera-strapped travelers prone to getting lost - so I've had a fair number of run-ins with tourists. In Loi felt like Alice going through t Armed with maps, a camer granola bars, we set out each adventure. We lined up beh of people wearing neon-colo case it wasn't already obvious we were tourists. We waited attractions our guidebooks worth seeing. And then, as if on cue, all cameras came out. Without the picture, the prove that they were there. T 12 albums to Facebook wi hang a photo in their offic Christmas card to make the want to go to there." Maybe I'm cynical actualt cal. Maybe I'm overly critical people with digital cameras. There's no denying that digital cameras has complete tourism. These days, there is that is not worth capturing on That flower - beautiful. - whoa, geology! That 15th Dame - the perfect angle! photo - this time smile, for G Their experiences aren't1 experience itself, but rather t pictures they come home with If I had gone to London a: ago, I would have had a con experience. it was a mysteriou had to go to CVS - scratch1 stores - to see how your pictu Let me give you the prime: ples of a wasted touristicc Mona Lisa. This painting is one of thef Paris many know of before bu book. It's probably the most I to-wall-to-wall paintings and sculptures. The museum itself is actually fairly compli- cated. The audio-guide you can rent literally has a GPS built into it. But somehow everyone finds the Mona Lisa. YONAH Leave the camera and see the view ndon and Paris, I for yourself he looking glass. aand many, many day in search of ind huge groups The moment you walk into the small hall red shirts just in with the painting, your senses are overwhelmed s to everyone that - it feels like a silent rock concert is happening in the hot sun for in the corner of the room. People are violently assured us were pushing and shoving towards that part of the room as if the painting is about to disappear. around us - the And once you get to the front? A quick click and then you're done. Turn around and make re is no way to your way out of the crowd. Average time spent They can't upload looking at the painting itself? If I had to guess, th catchy titles, 3.7 seconds. e or use it as a I stood in front of the painting for a good 10 ir friends say: "I minutes, thinking about why it was so famous, trying to figure out what Mona was smiling y, definitely cyni- about and reflecting on the people around me 1 about these nice who only wanted to get close to her to prove that they were there. the invention of Look, I understand why our generation ly revolutionized enjoys taking gobs of pictures. In fact, I love literally nothing that our era allows us to capture thousands of camera. moments without concern of running out of colors! That rock film. And I know how easy it is to lose track and shot of the Notre capture everything that moves; on my trip I That 28th family tooknearly 1,000 pictures. od's sake! Still, tourists should try to see the country based off of the through their own eyes rather than through he quality of the the lens of a camera. I tried to enjoy the unique h. atmosphere and culture. nd Paris 20 years So I challenge all of us: Be self-aware when npletely different you travel. Don't just take pictures for the sake as time, when you of taking pictures. Do it because you want to that, real camera remember how you felt at that moment. Do ires turned out. it because you see something special on your st of prime exam- screen that you want to take back home., opportunity: The Just, please, don't do it for those Facebook albums. few attractions in iying their guide- -Yonah Lieberman can be famous piece of reached at yonahl@umich.edu. When MariaIbarra was a senior in high school, she had only one school in mind for college -the University of Michigan. But when she told a counselor that she lacked legal citi- zenship status, she was devastated to learn that her dream was most likely impossible. Maria was born in Mex- ico and came to Detroit with her parents when she was nine years old. Maria is undocumented. And as a result, she was ineligible to obtain in-state tuition status from the Uni- versity, nor could she be supported by federal financial aid. That harsh financial reality keptAnn Arbor just out of Maria's reach. Maria instead attended the Uni- versity of Detroit Mercy, where last year she graduated as Valedicto- rian. Because of the University of Michigan's regressive tuition poli- cies, Maria was denied access to her dream school, and we were denied Maria's talent and intelligence. The University ties eligibility for in-state tuition to legal residency, and thus excludes the thousands of undocumented students who attend Michigan primary and sec- ondary schools. These students, often from' the lower rungs of the state's economic ladder, face pro- hibitively high tuition rates with fewer means - such as financial aid programs - to overcome them. The University is in effect hindering a specific class of young Michigan- ders with institutional barriers to educational access. The rationale for tiered tuition at public universities istwofold. First, it supposes the notion that those who have paid into the university sys- tem through taxes deserve a lower rate. Contrary to persistent anti- immigration myths, undocumented immigrants contribute substantially to state and federal coffers. They pay sales and property taxes and at least half, according to the non-partisan -Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, pay income taxes through an IRS Individual Taxpayer Identifica- tion Number. Second, public higher education is often deemed an investment in those young people most likely to stay and contribute to the state. In the case of undocumented students, their personal and civic ties reside squarely in Michigan, and almost all, including Maria, count more years in this state than many of their documented counterparts. It's counter to the University's mission to "serve the people of Michigan" and detrimental to the state's eco- nomic future to effectively shut its doors to an entire group of bright, qualified Michigan students. Critics of tuition equality for undocumented students cry foul over fairness, claiming that it's a disservice to citizens and legal immigrants to "reward" those without legal status. The reality is that the students in question ille- gally crossed borders or overstayed their visas.as young children at their parents' behest, or were themselves victimized by an often perverse immigration bureaucracy. The con- sequence of condemning entire gen- erations of young people is economic stupidity and abject moral failure on a societal scale. - It's worth remembering that before this issue entered the ugly realm of partisan debate, it was addressed with common sense and decency. Currently, 12 states have laws that grant undocumented stu- dentsequalconsiderationforin-state tuition, includingKansas, Texas and Utah - not exactly bleeding-heart liberal legislatures. The University has the constitu- tional authorityto act autonomous- ly in this regard, and it has a moral obligation to do so. Access to edu- cation is perhaps the defining issue of contemporary civil rights in this country. The Coalition for Tuition Equality, a collection of more than a dozen student organizations, is committed to making sure that the University makes good on its responsibility to all students in Michigan and finds its way to the right side of history. As representatives of the state's flagship of higher education, it's the duty of all students, faculty mem- bers and administrators to speak out against discrimination and in favor of access and justice for young Michiganders. Once Presi- dent Mary Sue Coleman and the University's regents hear our voices and those of the thousands of young people fenced out from the Michi- gan Difference, a failure to act on tuition equality would besmirch with bitter hypocrisy our place among the leaders and best. Sanjay Jolly is a fifth-year senior in the School of Public Policy. SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@MICHIGANDAILY.COM Be m indful of both mental ness - can for some be a very long and crooked path. This road can test the limits of one's hope and resil- and physical illnesses ience. It can be filled with treatments that do not always work the first time. And, it can be filled with wanting to remain in silence, with wanting to work everything TO THE DAILY: out on our own, with thinking we are to blame and with The staff at Counseling & Psychological Services would hesitancy to fully engage in further treatment. like to make a strong statement of support for the personal At the same time, breaking throughthese very real fac- statement written by Ms. Kaitlin Williams on Sep. 3,2012, tors is another way we can change the world. Using the In fact, we'd like to say more than "support." We would resources on campus listed below is a way to speak loud like to acknowledge the strength and the courage it takes and clear. Helping a friend during the journey, not just at to speak and to write on the difficult topic of what it is like the beginning but in an on-going way, checking in with to live with mental-illness as a student at Michigan. friends, suggesting healthy ways of coping and being an Through this act of strength and courage, and the active listener are all ways to do something to help and to experience it represents, along with countless other ,show caring and sipport - not only to individuals, but as stories of Michigan students' challenges and success- a beacon for our whole campus. es with mental health, we change the world when we We applaud being our own best friend, as Ms. Williams speak to counteract the silence. We change the world describes. We applaud saying it shows strength to get when we speak to end the stigma associated with help. And,we applaud Ms. Williams'voice. mental illness. We change the world when we create This is how we enact hope and resiliency, asa campus a culture of caring on our campus, and a culture of "do that is 100 percent supportive of student mental health in something" to help ourselves and a friend. all its' forms. Ms. Williams describes a journey that some of us know, yet others do not. The road'to healing and recov- Todd D. Sevig Ph.D. ering from any illness - physical illness or mental ill- Director of CAPS