4A- Monday Octobor 7, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com - I 4A - Monday, October 7, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom . , b ffiidriian &it Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com MELANIE KRUVELIS ANDREW WEINER and ADRIENNE ROBERTS MATT SLOVIN 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. F ROM T HE DA ILY New president, new priorities Mary Sue Coleman's replacement As the Presidential Search Advisory Committee concludes its series of public forums, the search continues for University President Mary Sue Coleman's successor. The University's next president must maintain not only Coleman's excellent track record with regard to fundrais- ing, community engagement and involvement with Detroit, but also as a lead- er with a vested interest in increasing the school's socioeconomic diversity. The beauty of b "CS mile, forgive, appreci- ate the small pleasures, unplug, exercise, make time for leisure. You'll find these among other commonly used "guidelines" to happiness that media dissemi- nates across the Internet: "Hab- its of Supreme- SARA ly Happy MOROSI People," "12 Things Happy People Do Differently," and my per- sonal favorite, "How to Be Happy: 11 Steps (with Pictures)." I understand how some may find comfort in said pieces. "I smiled at a stranger in Trader Joe's today...check. I appreciated the smell of fall and the sound ofcrunchingleavesbeneath my boots this morning... check." Happier yet? While I agree that many of these so-called "steps" to happiness har- vest a positive lifestyle, it's naive to believe following them to a T will result in an altogether perfect life. I'm currently taking English Prof. Ralph Williams's "Memoir and Social Crisis" course. We're finishing a mem- oir by Primo Levi - an Italian Jew who recounts his story of survival in Auschwitz. While many of the pas- sages are incredibly salient, our dis- cussion last week on Levi's perception of happiness resonated with me most. "Sooner or later in life everyone discovers that perfect happiness is unrealizable, but there are few who pause to consider the antithesis: that perfect unhappiness is equally unattainable.... In fact it is not a question of a human incapacity for a state of absolute happiness, but of an ever-insufficient knowledge of the complex nature ofthestateofunhap- piness; so that the single-name of the major cause is give which are compos an order of urgenc immediate cause o an end, you are grie see that another on in reality a whole s Let's break thisc Our culture isa elusive idea of hapl of the most infamo piness occurred ov Led by George Vail hensive study foll 268 Harvard men graduates when th 1938. Though ther ent limitations to as the exclusion o insights into the value we place on happi- ness can still be widely applied today - the most notable being personal experi- ence over mate- rial success. It's a findingu and again, and or to understand. social expectation nature, we do our hold onto happin them. We become -ating and mainta image, we enter a our peers and w sures to pave thev future now, belie puts us on the faa We are constantly infallibly falling s ined nirvana. In d thin our relations and with ourselvi guilty of both. Though we con unreasonable cult think we can all ag - EDITORIAL BO eing (un)happy n to all its causes, mentally impossible to uphold them ite and set out in and be blissfully happy at all times. y. And if the most But Levi is right - we often don't f stress comes to consider that it'sjust as impossible to evously amazed to be wholly unhappy, either. e lies behind; and What I think Levi meant is that eries of others." while lows are inevitable, resilience down. is a choice. Not only that, but we as obsessed with the humans experience unhappiness at piness. In fact, one the capacity to which we are able. 'us studies of hap- Amid the merciless conditions of the er a 75-year span. camps - unfathomable to ordinary Ilant, the compre- people - Levi found happiness in giv- owed the lives of ingItalianlessons.Indoingso,exhibit- who were under- ing that even in circumstances beyond he study began in understanding, perfect unhappiness e are some appar- remains as unattainable as its counter- the study, such part, perfecthappiness. f female subjects, Levi also suggests that even if we overcome what we believe to be We're constantly the cause of our reaching for and unhappiness, surely more lies infallibly falling short of beyond it. We an imagined nirvana, could follow the guidelines put forth in every "happiness how- we've heard time to" article, yet the vast majority of ne that we claim outside factors - both tragedies Yet somehow, and blessings - remain out of our s remain, and by control. - best to find and Vaillant simplifies his findings ess by mirroring in his own words by saying: "The e fixated on cre- seventy-five years and twenty mil- ining the perfect lion dollars expended on the Grant n arms race with Study points to a straightforward e fall into pres- five-word conclusion: 'Happiness is way for our dream love. Full stop.' " In a fast-paced cul- ving one misstep ture where productivity is the means t track to failure. to every end, we easily forgetto pause reaching for and and be present.We have become con- hort of an imag- sumed by the fear of wasting time, ioing so, we wear when actually, the only time lost lies hips with others in our inability to accept that it's OK es. I, for one, am to reject the notion of perfect happi- ness. I think Levi would agree. 0 Throughout Coleman's 12 years at the Uni- versity, she has brought in many large dona- tions; in the past year alone, donations from Stephen M. Ross, Charles Munger and the Zell Family Foundation have totaled $360 million. These donations contributed to the Ross School of Business and the Athletic Department, established plans for new graduate-student residence and supported the Masters of Fine Arts in creative-writing program. Coleman's drive to find new funding is no accident: State appropriations for higher education declined by more than 26 percent between 2002 and 2012. The previous decade's fundraising cam- paign, called The Michigan Difference, focused largely on facilities, including the various resi- dence hall renovations. The . next campaign, The Victors for Michigan, set to launch on Nov. 8, is focused on extending financial aid to Uni- versity students. It's critical that Coleman's successor prioritizes fundraising that benefits a wider variety of students than some of the recent large-sum donations. Many students have recently taken issue with policies and campaigns implemented under the leadership of Dave Brandon, the University's athletic director, who assumed his position in 2010 and will remain through 2018. Although the Athletic Department is governed by its own written policies, the position is monitored by and accountable to a chain of command ending with the Universi- ty's president andthe Board of Regents. Under Brandon, the Athletic Department has enact- ed unpopular admission protocol regarding student football and basketball tickets with- out informing students ahead of time, deny- ing them the opportunity to respond prior to the decision becoming policy. Even though the future University president won't have direct control over the Athletic Department, he or she should not -treat it like an entirely autonomous body with goals separate from those of the University's mission. Coleman's successor should put pressure on Brandon to communicate with students before making significant changes and to make more well- prioritized expenditures. - Under Coleman, the University's relation- ship with Detroit has flourished. The Detroit Center, a home for Detroit-based student and faculty projects located in the heart of downtown, opened in 2005. In 2008, Semes- ter in Detroit began, and the Detroit Partner- ship volunteering initiative was re-focused to include more long-term service projects such as tutoring and mentoring. These programs provide excellent opportunities for students to experience and contribute to Detroit, and the future University president should use funds to maintain and expand what has already been achieved under Coleman. But giving cur- rent students an opportunity to connect with Detroit isn't enough. The upcoming president needs to prioritize recruiting students from Detroit to the University. Coleman has been a staunch supporter of affirmative action and minority enrollment, which is essential to the University's mis- sion. Despite this, minority enrollment has stagnated in recent years, and as of 2011 was approximately 14.5-percent and 13-percent lower than the national averages for both black and Hispanic students, respectively. A new president should be innovative in his or her ways of increasing minority enrollment and should develop more programs that fos- ter a diverse and inclusive community. He or she should also focus on larger socioeconomic diversity, which can be achieved in part by devoting more fundraising to the creation of scholarships and financial aid. In general, the next University president should be sure to advocate for continued quality undergraduate education. Hiring of top-tier professors is key to maintaining an accurate reputation for edu- cational excellence and attracting a continu- ous and diverse group of students and donors. The University's next president will need to work hard to match Coleman's fundrais- ing prowess and maintain and expand the University's. Emphasis on increased finan- cial aid and reasonable control of the Athletic Department are crucial. Above all, students should be involved in the processes that shape their University experience. 0 0 tinue striving for ural standards, I ree that it's funda- ARD MEMBERS -Sara Morosi can be reached at smorosi@umich.edu Kaan Avdan, Sharik Bashir, Barry Belmont, James Brennan, Eli Cahan, Eric Ferguson, Jesse Klein, Melanie Kruvelis, Maura Levine, Patrick Maillet, Aarica Marsh, Megan McDonald, Harsha Nahata, Adrienne Roberts, Paul Sherman, Sarah Skaluba, Daniel Wang, Derek Wolfe WILLA ADAMO dl nc to fl( ui su le m in br th af cc fil th o bo w m re PE sa fu m lo m pa ti ni I' B p1 p1 ti is ta ta sc to th Enter Detroit with respect First, I want to establish that I am a mid- flight, economic recession and many Devil's le-class white woman. I grew up in the Nights. If you're lucky enough to enter orth suburbs and made the trek down I-75 Detroit, here are a few things you should help at the family business, a 60-year-old consider: oral shop on the east side of Detroit. I grew 1. Take a moment to check your privilege. p with a different picture of Detroit than my Examine your different social identities like rburban comrades. race, class and gender. Think about how the I spent this past spring semester living, power your identities give you affects the way arning and working in the city and earning you view the world and your values. Be hon- y Urban Studies minor through Semester est with yourself about your own shortcom- Detroit. The time I spent in Detroit was a ings. Enter Detroit with humility. reath of fresh air. The people of Detroit - 2. Realize that people have a wide range re 700,000 people who remain in the city of life experiences, privileges and belief fter Tigers games - have created a strong systems. Forget all the things you think you ommunity. Grassroots organizations have know. Your college education doesn't make lied gaps the government left: They patrol you more- intelligent than others. Enter reir own neighborhoods nightly, grow their Detroit with an open mind, ready to listen. wn fresh produce and found community- 3. Now forget how awkward you feel. Just ased schools. like the city, you're not without error and Detroithas an unexplainable,honest charm. never will be. Recognize your discomfort but Valking down the street, people say hello and allow your curiosity and desire to learn guide ake eye contact with you. That simple daily you. Enter Detroit with confidence. minder thatI exist inthe greater world com- 4. Start looking at the bigger picture. Is elled me to rethink my values and lifestyle. I your student initiative listening to and hon- iw a brighter, more sustainable and healthier oring the desires of Detroiters? Is your pres- ture in Detroit. It gave me hope and excite- ence worthwhile? Enter Detroit with genuine lent for my own future. intentions. I began this school year with a new out- 5. Use your brain. Detroit has danger, but ok, incorporatingthe lessons Detroit taught danger exists everywhere, including Ann e into my existence in Ann Arbor. On cam- Arbor. Be aware and trust your gut. Enter us, I have noticed an influx of Detroit initia- Detroit carefully. ves. Fromvolunteers togroupsthat focus on 6. Your experience in Detroit is what you ightlife, everyone wants a piece of Detroit. make of it. Be patient and put yourself out m sure they all have the best intentions. there. You're lucky to have this opportunity. ut please, all who take interest in Detroit - Enter Detroit with a smile on your face. ease enter the community respectfully. I am a middle-class white girl, and a one- Detroit is a city, not a playground. It's not a time citizen of Detroit - even if just for a bit. I lace to get,drunk and leave only broken bot- invite you to prove me right or wrong by hav- es behind when the weekend's over. Detroit ing your own experience through Semester not a blank slate and doesn't need designer in Detroit, the MDetroit Center Connector or impon boutiques or gourmet dog-food res- independently. But please remember, Detroit urants. To my peers sporting "Detroit isn't is someone's home, and you're representing ary, guys!" t-shirts purchased in mid-Cork- your fellow Wolverines. Treat Detroit with wn: this is not the way to do it. respect. ceiling headlin past fe But h people know means? Norr just a ity, and increas ceiling of cour much rent po system, ceiling import, taking everyor So, h works. Whe money, bonds. paper t for cash pay bac a certai that en on the f ly, it's a the peo the Tre ing the that the The otherc tries, h by the allowec have r debt - gress h the deb can isst It's time to raise the debt ceiling or those of you who fol- pay the country's bills. effects on the global economy. low the news, you've prob- Let us be clear: The debt ceiling When something that has longbeen ably seen the phrase "debt is not about spending. Saying that considered a sure, stable thing such in the we shouldn't raise the debt ceiling as U.S. bonds, is suddenly unreli- res these because we need to be spending less able, there are sure to be shock- w weeks. is like saying you won't pay your elec- waves to the world economy. The ow many tricity bill at the end of the month Treasury released a statement last actually because you're trying to cut back Thursday saying that failure to raise what it on spending. You already spent the the debt ceiling "could have a cata- money when you were using electric- strophic effect on not just financial mally it's - ityall month and now you're just pay- markets but also on job creation, formal- ing the bill for it. And if you don't, you consumer spending and economic I Congress LISSA may find yourself having a hard time growth - with many private-sector es debt KRYSKA getting electricity in the future. analysts believing that it would lead as a matter Right now, U.S. Treasury bonds to events of the magnitude of late se without are considered risk-free investments, 2008 or worse." publicity. However, the cur- because the United States has always Given the potential magnitude litical climate has changed the paid its bills. This distinctionmeans of the consequences for the United , and, unfortunately, the debt- the nation get to borrow at very low States and the global economy if proceedings have become very interest rates. Congress doesn't raise the debt ceil- ant. Most media discussions Although it hopefully won't come ing, it's irresponsible for them to place wrongly assume that to this, since Speaker John Boehner even consider it. It would accomplish ne already knows what it is. (R-Ohio) indi- nothing. It's not iere's a quick outline of how it cated that he a decision about will not allow Even the possibility that spending, and m the United States borrows a default, what E the only effect it it usually does so by issuing would happen if Congress will fail to would have on A bond is essentially a piece of Congress didn't r. t.b.l . the deficit would hat promises that in exchange raise the debt raise the debt ceilig is be to increase hnow, the U.S.government will ceiling? harming the economy. it by increasing k the face value of the bond in If it isn't interest rates. n period of time. And up until raised, there Even the possi- d date,they will pay out interest won't be enough bility that Con- ace value every year. Essential- cash on hand for the Treasury to pay gresswill fail to raise the debt ceiling loan to the U.S. governmentby all of its obligations. Any number of is already harming the economy, pie who buy the bonds. When expenses could go unpaid, including according to some economists. And asury issues these bonds, sell- paying back the debt on bonds that some experts have started investi- m to raise cash today, we say were issued in the past. A default gating extraordinary measures Pres- eyhave issueddebt. on past debts, meaning the United ident Barack Obama could take to United States, unlike most States fails to pay back its loans on raise it on his own, justin case. developed, democratic coun- time, would mean that U.S. Treasury It's important that we all under- has a debt ceiling controlled bonds are suddenly no longer risk- stand what's going on with the debt legislature. The Treasury is free, and the United States would ceilingandwhyitmatters.The public d to issue bonds until they have to pay higher interest rates to needs to make sure Congress under- eached a certain amount of make up for it. This would mean that stands that the debt ceiling is not an the debt ceiling. Then, Con- the deficit would go up as the United opportunity for political posturing. S as to pass legislation raising at ceiling so that the Treasury ue moreto raise more cash and States pays more for every dollar it borrows. There would also be adverse -Lissa Kryska can be reached at Ikkryska@umich.edu. LETTER TO THE EDIOR Search committee is not representative off University community TO THE DAILY: To the University of Michigan Regents: The choice of our next Univer- sity president affects all members of our community: undergraduate students, graduate students, ten- ured and non-tenured instructors, staff and the cities of Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint. We all work together to make the University the transformative educational and SEND LETTERS TO: ToTHEDAILY@MICHIGANDAILY.COM research institution that it is. We are all stakeholders, not bystand- ers, in this decision. Therefore, we feel strongly that the current Presidential Search Advisory Committee does not rep- resent the diversity of our commu- nity, our questions, our needs and our hopes for the new president. A committee , made up solely of tenured faculty departs from the University's own practices in past searches. We respectfully request that the University take the opportunity to strengthen the Presidential Search Advisory Committee by including members who are undergraduates, graduate students, non-tenured instructors and staff. We look for- ward to welcoming a president who will listen to the many voices that make up our campuses and lead the whole University community into the challenges of the future. Sincerely, ForUM, The Student Union of Michigan, The Lecturers' Employ- ee Organization, The Graduate Employee Organization and The University of Michigan Skilled Trades Union Ian Matchet, Liz DeLisle Rodrigues and Ismali Ali LSA/Art and Design senior, Rack- ham graduate student, LSA junior 0 There are many people who call Detroit eir home, who stuck with it through white Willa Adamo is an LSA junior. . ,