4A - Monday, September 9, 2013
The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom
4A - Monday, September 9, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
I e Michinan l 43atim
Raising the minimum
Edited and managed by students at
the University of Michigan since 1890.
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tothedaily@michigandaily.com
MELANIE KRUVELIS
and ADRIENNE ROBERTS MATT SLOVIN
EDITORIAL PAGE EDITORS MANAGING EDITOR
ANDREW WEINER
EDITOR IN CH IEF
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.
Shifting the burden
New sexual misconduct policy gives more responsibility to 'U'
University officials enacted a new policy regarding student sexual
misconduct allegations, changing the way the University inves-
tigates sexual harassment and assault accusations. In response
to a 2011 mandate from the Department of Education, colleges across the
country are revisiting their sexual misconduct policies in order to be com-
pliant with Title IX, the federal statute that bans sexual discrimination.
After two years of planning, the University's new approach to sexual mis-
conduct investigations puts more responsibility on University investiga-
tors rather than the student who reported the crime. The policy changes
are a step in the right direction, as they place a greater burden on the Uni-
versity to investigate sexual misconduct on campus. But with new poli-
cies come new potential misunderstandings, and the University needs to
clearly explain what these changes mean for students - especially when
it comes to confidentiality.
believe in McDonald's.
As a vegetarian, this is a
strange
statement to
make, but I'm A
not talking
about the food. '
As one of the
largest employ-
ers in the
world, McDon- LISSA
ald's has a KRYSKA
lot of power,
especially in
the fast-food
industry. Where McDonald's goes,
others will follow.
When McDonald's moved toward
s mote humane supply chain, other
companies did the same. But while
they slightly improved conditions
for animals, there's still room for
improvement in how workers are
treated. The median minimum wage
for fast food workers in the United
States is $9.05 an hour. This means
that a full-time employee who works
40 hours a week, doesn't take any
vacations and makes the median
wage has a yearly salary that's below
the poverty line if they're support-
ing two people in their family. Many
people are making even less than
that with the current federal mini-
mum wage at $7.25 an hour.
And while many of us picture
burger-flipping as a job for teens
looking to make pocket change, the
fact is that in today's economy, many
of the people now working in the fast
food industry are long-term employ-
ees - adults who are trying to sup-
port a family with the only job they
can find. And no matter how hard of
a worker you are, there are only so
many promotions to be had, espe-
cially for those without a degree.
Paying a salary that leaves
employees below the poverty line assumed that all workers had a sec-
means that these workers have ond full-time job, monthly health
full-time jobs and are still unable insurance payments of only $20
to support their families. It also and mortgage/rent payments of
means that these families will only $600 per month. That's lower
qualify for many federal aid pro- than the rent that many students
grams, including food stamps, the here pay for one room in a shared
Head Start program and various house or apartment.
tax credits. Essentially, the govern- Many companies are making
ment is supplementing some of the the argument that they can't afford
income that restaurants aren't pay- to move to a $15 minimum wage.
ing their employees. Frankly, they just aren't interested
Simply cut- in trying. The fast-food
ting govern- industry has weathered
ment benefits Fast-foodcthe recession well,
and allow- companies and some CEOs, such
ingworking claiming they can't as McDonald's James
families to S kinner, are some of
struggle in raise wages just the highest paid in the
abject poverty aren't trying. country. Meanwhile,
is unconscio- real wages haven't kept
nable in one of pace with inflation or
the wealthi- increases in productiv-
est nations on earth. If companies ity, so labor is now cheaper than
are unwillingto pay their workers it was 30 years ago. If a company
enough to get by, the government is can't make a profit without govern-
in effect forced to subsidize the fast- ment subsidized wages, then they
food industry by stepping in to make shouldn't be in business at all -
up the difference. The government that's how capitalism works.
should instead enforce minimum As I said, I believe in McDon-
wages high enough so people work- ald's. I believe that if they invested a
ing a single full-time job don't need little creativity in finding that extra
government assistance. money for wages they could succeed,
In the past year, fast-food and other fast food chains would fol-
workers across the country have low. Then, our society would see the
been holding daylong walk outs benefit of paying people enough to
in an effort to gain higher wages. support themselves.
Employees of McDonald's, Taco Last time I checked, working
Bell, KFC and many other fast food one or more full-time jobs and
chains are aiming to raise the min- still being unable to support your
imum wage at these restaurants family has nothing to do with the
to $15 an hour. They've garnered American Dream. It's time the "job
some publicity, but companies creators" start creating some jobs
don't seem to be budging. McDon- that don't require government sub-
ald's responded by publishing a sidies to keep families fed.
ludicrous "sample budget," which,
aside from keeping the late-night - Lissa Kryska can be reached
shows busy for the next week, at Ikkryska@umich.edu.
EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS
The revised protocol modifies the model for
sexual-misconduct investigations, bringing
University officials from multiple departments
together in an attempt to connect survivors
with appropriate services. Under the finalized
policy, once an incident of sexual misconduct
is reported, the survivor is then directed to
campus support services, such as Counseling
and Psychological Services or staff from the
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Cen-
ter. The University then determines if a more
direct intervention is needed - such as mov-
ing a student from a particular residence hall or
class. The accuser can also refuse to meet with
investigators, though ultimately the Univer-
sity's Title IX coordinator may choose to con-
tinue the investigation without that person's
cooperation. The newly outlined investigation
process also makes a special note to keep inter-
views with the survivor and the accused sepa-
rate. "We ask follow-up questions based on the
information we have," Anthony Walesby, senior
director of the office of Institutional Equality,
said. "But you never have to worry about being
in the same room as the person you are accusing
and vice versa." Furthermore, University inves-
tigators will use alower standard of proof when
determining guilt.
Ultimately, these changes place less of a
burden on accusers, signaling the University's
resolve in addressing sexual misconduct on
campus and reducing its impact. Reporting sex-
ual misconduct can be difficult for survivors,
and the University's more organized response
to such allegations may help those people to feel
more comfortable when disclosing what can be
very personal information.
One noticeable change in the policy is who
offers confidentiality. Only three Univer-
sity groups - SAPAC, CAPS and the Office of
Ombuds - offer full confidentiality. Residential
advisers and University staff are instructed to
go to a Title IX coordinator. SAPAC director
Holly Rider-Milkovich said first-year students
have been informed "multiple times" about
this change. While we applaud that action, she
also says that she "hopes" students make an
informed choice on who to report sexual mis-
conduct to. It's absolutely critical that the Uni-
versity and groups like SAPAC communicate
this change in confidentiality to students. It's
unreasonable to assume that all students will
be aware of this change themselves.
Sexual misconduct is a forefront problem
on college campuses. It's up to the universities
to assume the burden of these investigations.
The University should be commended for
making this change. However, its impact can
only occur if there's a buy-in from the entire
University community.
Kaan Avdan, Sharik Bashir, Barry Belmont, Eli Cahan, Eric Ferguson, Jesse Klein, Melanie Kruvelis,-Maura Levine,
Patrick Maillet, Aarica Marsh, Megan McDonald, Jasmine McNenny, Harsha Nahata, Adrienne Roberts,
Paul Sherman, Sarah Skaluba, Daniel Wang, Derek Wolfe
MICHAEL CHRZAN I
Ross's 'philanthropy'
I have a story to tell you. As a campus tour
guide, this story is one of my favorites to tell
while givingtours at the University:
"In 2008, a donation of $50 million was
made to the University of Michigan's School of
Business by Stephen M. Ross and was to fund
building renovations. However, the dean of the
school at the time went back to Ross and told
him while that donation was greatly appreci-
ated, they could really use $100 million. Ross
told the dean, if you give me one good reason,
I'll double my donation.
Excited, the dean went back to brainstorm
with faculty, administrators and students alike.
No one came up with a good reason for the big-
ger donation. The dean returned to Ross and told
him the only reason they could think of was out
of the goodness of his heart. So, as any good and
successful Michigan alum would, Ross doubled
his gift.
After the building was renovated, the dean
took Ross on a tour of the building, where MBA
students chanted, 'Thank you, Ross!' and fol-
lowed it with 'The Victors.' Ross was moved to
tears and was reported later saying, 'If they had
asked for another $100 million, I would've given
it right then and there."'
Of course, some of this may not exactly be the
whole truth. However, if it is true, no one can say
he isn't a man of hisword. Last Wednesday, Ross
donated $200 million to the Athletic Depart-
ment and the business school, which has borne
his name since his 2008 donation. This donation
is the largestcin the University's history.
But, what do we do with all that money?
The answer to what is planned for the money
can be found in Sam Gringlas's article in The
Michigan Daily "Gift benefits high-profile
departments" where he states, "Though Ross's
$200-million donation will endow some finan-
cial scholarships, a priority Coleman and other
administrators have repeatedly emphasized
for the next capital campaign, it will also fund
upgrades at the Business School and athletic
campus." This donation will benefit the Univer-
sity and its students.
Yet, I and many others on this campus feel
that if he truly wanted to benefit the University
community, there were better places to do it
than a department that generates alot of revenue
already and one of the topbusiness schools in the
country. As president of the student-education-
reform group, rEDesign, I know other places
both on this campus and in this area that could
have used help from Ross's philanthropy.
However, I also empathize with Ross's dedi-
cation to the communities he was a part of in
his time at Michigan. It's natural to want to give
back to the communities that gave to you. But,
considering all of these sides of this situation
- and the fact that Ross has joined the Giving
Pledge, a commitment of the super-wealthy to
give away almost half their net worth - I pres-
ent a challenge to the "self-described academi-
cally average transfer student" and any future
donors to this University.
If the true end goal of Ross's philanthropy
here at the University is to make this experi-
ence better for the students, then he should
donate to programs that could use the money
to help better the entire campus community.
Donate to programs such as MESA to help
build a new multicultural center closer to
the center of campus so we can truly empha-
size and deliver upon our commitment to
diversity, something that has been a consis-
tent struggle for the University in the recent
decade. Donate to other schools, such as the
School of Education, whose graduates will
be going into service-based fields and may
wind up making less than some citizens with
high school degrees. These low earnings for
important jobs means that graduates from
the schools may not be able to have the phil-
anthropic power you do to help them remodel
their facilities. Donate to Services for Stu-
dents with Disabilities, to help make our cam-
pus even more accessible for any student who
wants to come to this world-class university
in this one-of-a-kind town. Donate to make a
difference, not just an impact.
I believe that most students are grateful for
Ross and for all the amazing alumni who con-
tinue to make the Michigan Difference mean
something anytime they give back to make our
experiences better. However, we're also criti-
cal, in that we want those donations to make
the largest positive difference they can for our
community. Larger, shinier buildings just can't
make that happen.
Michael Chrzan is an LSA junior.
ach time I told sot
worked in Detroit
myself for the sam
tion. Something
along the lines
of:
"Really?"
Even the
classic, "Oh,
interesting!"
had a negative
connotation.
Early on, SARA
I fell into the MOR
trap - a truth
I'm not proud
of. Would Ibe safe? Could
and from the parking gara
I didn't know, and, quite h
questioned if I wanted to
In the months nearing my
ship, I let people's negativ
tions of Detroit spoil the e
I felt for a great opportuni
Fast-forward four mont
at Good Time Charley's fo
21st birthday. Due to that I
I had to be up at 7 a.m. for:
commute, I opted out of dr
While waiting for a rou
Irish car bombs, a guy str
conversation with me.
"You said you're worki
row. Where do you work?
I explained to him that
interning with a startup c
in Detroit called Stik.
He raised his eyebrows
and said something along
of, "Not the best place to t
now, huh?"
I grew defensive. I wor
Detroit. I didn't have the1
and certainly didn't need
I sputtered back that it is,
a great place to be. I began
on positives: how much Q
Moved by Detroit
scone I Loans chairman Dan Gilbert is daily basis.
, I braced doing to fuel Detroit's growth, the once at
e reac- the incredible set that was in the music capit
process of being built for "Trans- largest-eve
formers 4," and how my one-hour case. The n
commute takes at the very most unquestion
two hours on days that the Tigers restructure
play at home. to mention
Surprised and slightly uncom- gain contrt
fortable after my unanticipated rates and s
rant, he changed the subject back to All thin
the Irish car bombs now sitting on blame peol
the table. about thec
OSI As I watched the group chug to work th
whiskey-tainted beer, I realized responsibi
that was the first time I had become and rightn
I walk to anywhere near
age alone? that defensive
onestly, I for Detroit. In I can't blame
find out. that moment I
intern- thought, "Did people for being
e percep- I just become a skeptical - but giv
xcitement 'Detroiter?'" r - a
ity. I fell in love Detroit a chance.
hs. I was with Detroit
r a friend's this summer:
fact that the history, the
my daily culture, the energy. Many mornings I do blat
rinking. I walked by the same charming old Detroit a cl
nd of men playing chess outside of a little If you lo
uck up coffee shop on Broadway St. "Good see positive
morning, miss," they'd say. city: on pos
ng tomor- Detroit provided me with an shop winds
incredible opportunity to learn. My A few inclu
I was coworkers, many of whom would Detroit," "I
ompany walk or bike to the office from their and, my fav
downtown Detroit apartments, are Me." These
recoiled, motivated, hardworking and pas- proof that I
the lines sionate. Having chosen to move the are hopefu
be right company from tech-mecca San Fran- I can only I
cisco to the Motor City, Stik's co- the city to f
ked in founders are in Detroit because they rather than
plague want to be. The rest of us followed, mas. Mygu
his pity. excited to pursue an idea in a place what you fi
in fact, in need of revival.
n calling But it would be slanted to deny -
uicken the reality that Detroit faces on a
In filing for bankruptcy,
utomotive leader and
tal became our country's
r municipal bankruptcy
ear future for Detroit is
sablybleak as it seeks to
e billions in debt - not
its persistent struggle to
ol over staggering crime
tatistics.
gs considered, I can't
ple for being skeptical
city and my eagerness
ere. It's the media's
lity to deliver coverage,
now, what's happening
in Detroit is largely
negative. Downbeat
headlines about the
bankruptcy, violence
and poverty over-
e power positive steps,
such as the opening
of a Whole Foods on
Mack Ave. and the
summertime revamp
of Campus Martius.
me people for not giving
:hance.
ok closelyenough, you'll
e messages all over the
ters and billboards, in
ows and on T-shirts.
de "Nothing Stops
Detroit vs. Everybody"
vorite, "Detroit Moves
circulated sayings are
I'm one of the many who
l for the city's renewal.
hope that people go to
form their own opinion,
avoid it because of stig-
ess is that you'll love
nd.
Sara Morosi can be reached
at smorosi@umich.edu
..,SEND LETTERS TO: TOTHEDAILY@MICHIGANDAILY.COM
Nuclear energy is not the
answer with cost in mind
TO THE DAILY:
Julia Zarina's column support-
ing nuclear energy omitted the most
obvious reason why nuclear rep-
resents such a poor energy choice:
cost. Because the billions of dollars
in taxpayer subsidies for our current
nuclear-energy mix have never been
adequately calculated, it's difficult
to arrive at nuclear energy's "true"
cost, but using the nuclear-friendly
U.S. Energy Information Admin-
istration's own numbers, the total
system levelized costs of nuclear
energy come to $108.40 per mega-
watt hour for plants entering service
in 2018. By comparison, an advanced
combined-cycle natural gas plant's radioactive waste these plants pro-
cost for the same $65.60. At $86.60, duce. With the discovery of massive
even a renewable source like wind is natural-gas deposits throughout the
cheaper. You do the math. United States, and plummeting costs
Zarina's argument that political for renewables, these utilities made a
partisanship is holding up a nuclear bad bet, one that their customers will
renaissance is equally misplaced. have to cover.
Even before the Republicans took Simply put, the economics simply
control of Congress in 2010, nuclear don't support nuclear energy, despite
energy enjoyed broad bipartisan efforts by those who back nuclear to
support in Washington. The Obama load the policy dice. I'd like to believe
administration ponied up billions that this is good old-fashioned capi-
in taxpayer subsidies to promote talism allowing the marketplace to
the nuclear ambitions of several pick the winners. But the fact that we
utilities, most of them located in the still hear voices touting the viability of
South. The capital costs associated nuclear energy tells me we still have a
with building these plants will run long way to go on the education front.
into the tens of billions. Taxpay-
ers will spend billions more fueling,
maintaining, decommissioning and John Ramsburgh
then storing - for millennia - the LSA employee
0