4 - Friday, March 14, 2014 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com KARA ARGUE E-MAIL KARA AT KARGUE (UMICH.EDU Edited and managed by students at 55 the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. O Ann Arbor, MI 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com MEGAN MCDONALD PETER SHAHIN and DANIEL WANG KATIE BURKE 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 solelythe views of their authors. Expanding community college access Michigan needs to expand finacial aid to increase accesibility s the job market grows increasingly competitive, high school diplomas and GED certificates have become less of a guarantee that a worker will earn enough to generate themselves, let alone their families. In 2012, Michigan's underemployment rate was 17.4 percent, and the unemployment rate currently stands at 7.8 percent, well above the national average. Higher education greatly improves lifetime earnings and expands the number of jobs one is qualified for. Improving access to higher education is vital to helping Michigan workers sustain living wages. Several states, including Tennessee and Oregon, have considered legislation that would make public two-year colleges tuition-free. There are certainly members of the community who are willing and able to pay community college tuition, but many cannot come close to affording it or having real access to loans. Michigan should increase funding for community colleges to allow for free tuition for those who cannot afford it, reducing the financial barriers to higher education. Abort problematic politics Yesterday, t titled "Abo Opt-Out A effect in Michi- gan. I say mis- leading because, in order for women to have abortion cover- age included in an insurance plan, we must now pay extra in the form of a rider. In other words, we must opt in. And the o opt in to pay extra if we plan on hav in the future (or abortions, if we're much bang for out abortion rider). The only thing plans on having a this act extends e of rape and incest people are callin insurance" bill). Minority Leader Gr - who is a sur assault herself - bill in December, absurdity of insur "(The bill) tells w raped ... that th thought ahead an insurance for it." However, I'm calling it the "rape mainly because it1 the fact that wom for a number of r rape need not be th reason for an abor Ultimately, this intrusive, utterlyt absurd in its pren not affect me. It will not affec he misleadingly like many of the students at this 'rtion Insurance University, am privileged in a kct" went into number of ways that enable me to get an abortion, insurance or no insurance. I live in a county with an abortion clinic. That in itself is something to be proud of - only about 14 percent of Michigan counties have an abortion clinic. I could shell out the $300 to $600 it costs to have an early abortion KATIE - and if I couldn't, my parents SEN could help me out. I have parents STEEN and friends who would support my decision to terminate a pregnancy. I have parents and friends I would nly reason we'd feel comfortable talking to about for abortions is my abortion in the first place. ing an abortion But what about the women perhaps multiple in Michigan who are not as trying to get as privileged as I am? Who is this bill r buck with this really affecting? Only about 3.3 percent of is, no one really abortions in Michigan are paid n abortion. And with health insurance. So why do ven to incidents Michigan Right to Life advocates (there's a reason even care about insurance g it the "rape covering abortion? State Senate This bill is an instance of pro- retchenWhitmer lifers grabbing onto literally any vivor of sexual scrap of abortion legislature spoke about the possible, and intentionally trying articulating the to fuck it up just for the sake of ing an abortion: fucking it up. Only about 4 percent 'omen that were of Michigan voters - specifically, ey should have the members of Right to Life of d bought special Michigan - voted on this bill by creating a citizen's petition, which going to avoid doesn't require the governor's e insurance bill," approval. Gov. Rick Snyder had takes away from actually already vetoed the bill, en get abortions deeming it "an overreach easons, and that of government into the e only acceptable private market." 'tion. I've avoided writing about act is coercive, abortion because I know it's such unnecessary and a charged issue, and it can be next ises and it will to impossible to change the opinion of those on either side of the issue. ct me because I, Maybe I've given up on trying to change people's minds, and instead I can only express a mixture of rage and hopeless disappointment. I can recite statistics and plea with heartfelt anecdotes, but ultimately, I feel it is futile to try and sway the beliefs of pro-life people, just as I will never not support every woman's unobstructed right to an abortion. I want to finish with a speech that Ioreceived in an e-mail from Senator Whitmer - one that perfectly articulates my disgust toward the overwhelming minority who passed this bill. This is part of the speech that she would have delivered to her Republican colleagues had they not adjourned the Senate today. Senator Whitmer wrote: "As this horrible law takes effect today, I want you to remember what you did, "The next time you read a story in the news about a woman being raped, remember that you turned your back on her and told her that she doesn't deserve every available medical option that's available to her. "When you hear of a woman facing a difficult pregnancy, one that may sadly end prematurely, remember that you told her that her health and well-being is less important than your ability to get the endorsement of a radical special-interest group. "And when women from across the state ask you why you would do something so offensive, remember that you had a chance to stand up for them and put their interests ahead of the absolute worst of what politics can be, and you chose not to." - Katie Steen can be reached at katheliz@umich.edu. Tuition-free community college education should be provided to those who cannot easily afford it, but to do so for upper-middle- and upper-class students is unnecessary. The money spent to do this could be better spent elsewhere, such as restoring education funding. Gov. Rick Snyder proposed a 6.1 percent funding increase for public universities and a 3 percent funding increase for community colleges for 2015. However, these have yet to be approved by the state legislature and hardly make up for past cuts. There are alternate, less costly measures that the state could also explore. For example, expanding loan forgiveness and reimbursement of tuition after graduation to all community college students in need would incentivize degree completion. Currently, loan forgiveness programs exist in Michigan for teachers who are employed for five years at a low-income school. By expanding this program to other fields, more community college students will be inclined to complete their chosen field. Additionally, Michigans current financial aid programs, such as the Tuition Incentive Program, could be expanded to include more assistance to community college students. In addition, this plan should not only apply to community colleges, but also to trade schools and technical skill colleges that teach students skills they can apply in the workforce. According to a Georgetown University study, those with only a high school diploma or GED make a lifetime average of $1,304,000. Just completing some amount of college education without even earning a degree boosts this figure to $1,547,000. Average lifetime earnings for associates degree and bachelors degree recipients are $1,727,000 and $2,268,000, respectively. Students attending community college have the option to either complete their degree or even transfer to a four-year college if they want. Providing cost-free community college education to students who then transfer to four-year colleges would significantly reduce the increasing cost of higher education. LAURA MCANDREW AND CARLY MANES I Just a tip EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS Barry Belmont, Nivedita Karki, Jacob Karafa, Jordyn Kay, Kellie Halushka, Aarica Marsh, Megan McDonald, Victoria Noble, Michael Schramm, Matthew Seligman, Paul Sherman, Allison Raeck, Linh Vu, Daniel Wang, Derek Wolfe ANNE SHAUGNESSY AND MICHAEL SCHMALE | Advocating legal philathropy At Wolverine Wellness at University Health Service, University students can pick up four free safer sex items a day. Last semester, students obtained over 29,000 condoms from Wolverine Wellness. A recent petition asked UHS to make Trojan or Durex condoms available for free. After staff researched the available options' consumer ratings and cost, UHS will order a product option from one of these brands. You can expect to see it as one of the complimentary safer sex product varieties by Fall 2014. All condoms sold in the United States that claim to prevent sexually transmitted infections are subject to the same FDA reliability standards. Despite advertisers' claims, particular brands offer no advantage in safety or efficacy. Some have fun textures, shapes or other features, but the protection is the same. The primary differences between condom brands are their wrapper designs and advertisements. In a culture where sexuality is infrequently discussed, sometimes the only sexual health narratives we hear are from corporations - and their voices are loud. So it's understandable that the news that all condom brands work the same may raise some skepticism at first. But it's important to know that if, after leaving this university, the only condoms you can access are the free, less-advertised ones from a clinic, you can trust them. If you learn how to properly use them and use them consistently, they will help protect your health. Sexual health is measured by much more than using safer sex items. It includes other components of your physical wellness like sexual functioning, STI testing behaviors and contraception use if appropriate. It includes how you demonstrate your values through the choices you make about sex and dating. It includes whether the conditions and qualities you want in your relationships are realized. It includes the possibility of pleasure (to the extent that you want), and freedom from coercion or violence. It includes your self- worth and your respect for others. Using condoms and dental dams is effective at preventing many STIs - but it is just the tip, so to speak. Similarly, sexual health programming is just one component of supporting a healthy campus. UHS provides medical services, health educators who can support your wellness goals, and student groups to connect you to others who are passionate about health. Professionals across other Student Life units provide services for an even wider range of needs. These resources are available because maintaining wellness while in school is complex and dependent on many factors. Decisions about our physical health don't happen in a vacuum; they're connected to our mental health, to our schoolwork and jobs and to our social lives. On average, University students already perform risk-reducing sexual behaviors (like using condoms, using contraception and delaying partnered sex) at rates well above the national average for institutes of higher education - Go Blue! However, we have great opportunities to improve in several complicated health issues. when asked in the most recent National College Health Assessment what health issues make it hardest for them to succeed at college, University students didn't report that sexual health issues were the main things holding them back; the top four challenges were stress, lack of sleep, colds/flu and anxiety. Excessive drinking exacerbates all of these issues while carrying its own risks of increased harm. This evidence doesn't make safer sex less important, but it places it in context as one piece of a much bigger picture of health indicators at the University. Adopting a shared, evidence-based wellness vision among students, staff and faculty is our best hope for making big strides in student health. Let's envision a campus with norms that include not just safer sex, but also sleeping enough, managing our time to reduce stress, drinking in ways that reduce the chance of social or personal harm (or having fun without drinking), supporting our friends when they are struggling and fostering respect across our differences so all students feel valued here. These are big challenges that student organizers and professionals alike are working tirelessly to make changes to. By collectively owning this vision, we can build a campus culture where all students know they are goodenough and, instead of feeling the need to sacrifice our health for accomplishments, wellness and self-care, inspire our success. Laura McAndrew is a University alum and Carly Manes is a Public Policy junior. Before starting at Michigan, I always considered philanthropy a direct act. Growing up, my family worked with organizations like Meals on Wheels, where we interacted directly with patrons, delivering lunches and dinners to their homes. When I arrived at law school, there was a multitude of opportunities to use legal training to assist underserved communities. But without previous experience in areas of advocacy impact litigation, or public interest, I felt overwhelmed by the opportunities and unsure with which group my contribution could have the most meaningful impact. Before law school, I had spent time interning in event planning and investment management, enjoyed working in groups and had acquired a questionably large mental database of pop culture factoids. I was uncertain that this eclectic skill set could be used to meaningfully improve any person's status with a legal issue. Soon, however, I learned about a group that held some promise: Student Funded Fellowships. Michigan Law's Student Funded Fellowships is a student-operated organization driven to provide grants to first-year law students - ILs - with internships in the public interest. The SFF board uses many different avenues to meet this goal. Each spring, SFF hosts two events at the law school: the Auction, hosting more than 500 current law students, admitted students, faculty and staff and the Knowledge Bowl, a battle of wits in which law students, faculty and staff square off in a trivia contest (thank you, countless hours spent reading Vulture, Gawker and Perez Hilton!). SFF also partners with other MLaw student groups like the Michigan Law Culinary Club and Headnotes a capella group to raise funds. Finally, the board works with businesses, alumni, faculty and students for monetary and item contributions to reach the annual goal of providing meaningful funds to as many students as possible. From Midtown Manhattan to rural Appalachia, from London to Phnom Penh, SFF Fellows span the country and the globe and use the law to serve the public interest and underserved communities. For example, past grantees have worked in Michigan Law's Child Advocacy Law Clinic, serving as the primary attorneys for children, parents and the Department of Human Services in the court system. Other grantees work for organizations like the New York Legal Assistance Group, which provides direct representation, consultation, financial counseling and community education to low- income New Yorkers. For SFF fellows, the grant money allows them to pursue positions or work in new cities that would oth- erwise be outside their budget. For the organizations employing SFF grantees, they receive bright and enthusiastic interns that help their organizations fulfill their missions. In turn, these organizations are able to provide their underserved clients greater breadth and depth of legal services. Soon after joining SFF, I met Michael Schmale, another IL. We were assigned as co-chairs to lead the student fundraising campaign in one of the first SFF meetings. From Southern California, a Yale alum and fluent in Chinese, I was worried that to him and others I would seem green and over my head by comparison in executing all of SFF's objectives. It turnsout Michael and I work great as a team: after student fundraising our 1L year, we were co-chairs of the Auction 2L year, and in our final year, we have been co-chairs of the entire SFF board. Like me, Michael did not have a public interest background and joined SFF in hopes to leverage his skills to make an impact on underserved legal communities. What is philanthropy? For SFF supporters and board members, philanthropy takes many different forms. When Michael and I joined the board our first year of law school, we hoped our small efforts could help our classmates finance their summer jobs. Working with SFF, we have learned these efforts can provide much more. Our work is indirect. While SFF Fellows are our classmates, we cannot watch them excel in their summer positions or meet the clients whose lives they have changed. Assisting our peers' internship goals set off new professional interests and aspirations. SFF Fellows' efforts in turn set off a network of beneficiaries, from organizations and their staff attorneys better able to leverage their resources, to underserved communities receiving greater access to representation and advocacy. Anne Shaugnessy and Michael Schmale are Law students. f 4