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August 15, 1986 - Image 6

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Publication:
Michigan Daily, 1986-08-15

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OPINION
Friday, August 15, 1986

Page 6

The Michigan Di

.. .'_..

Vol. XCVI, No. 13-S
96 Years of Editorial Freedom
Unsigned editorials represent the majority views of the Daily's Editorial Board
Cartoons and signed editorials do not necessarily reflect the Daily's opinion.
Scholarly choice

Repeal 22 amendment

CURRENTLY A bill is un-
4er consideration in Congress to
remove the mandatory retirement
age of 70 for university faculty. If
passed the proposal would decrease
the University's ability to attract
young professors while not
necessarily increasing the con-
tributions of elderly scholars.
Proponents of the legislation argue
that the curreric policy discriminates
against faculty who want to remain
active. They contend that cases
should be judged individually rather
than on the basis of age. They also
note that many professors are now
voluntarily retiring at younger ages
and that those professors who stay on
have a strong committment to their
fields.
Though it's true that age is no in-
dication of one's value as a faculty
member, in most cases the young
faculty who are still trying to forge a
reputation possess more drive than
their older counterparts. Those
faculty who are still making impor-
tant research advances and taking a
strong interest in teaching can
remain with emeritus status.

Without the mandatory retirement
age tenure obligations make it almost
impossible to remove a nonproduc-
tive professor. Limited resources
would make it impossible for the
University to hire very many young
faculty members because it would be
forced to continue paying relatively
inactive professors. Many of the older
professors make large salaries
because of culmulative annual pay
increases.
University administrators predict
that over the long term the bill will
take a heavy toll. They predict that
many elderly professors would
choose to remain in their positions
rather than retire. Though professors
on the average are retiring earlier
than in the past, the job market for
young professors remains tight.
Removing the retirement age could
only make the market even tighter,
thereby discouraging energetic,
talented scholars from considering
academic careers.
Instead of changing the law,
congress should allow universities to
determine on their own whether or
not to keep aging faculty.

P EPRESENTATIVE
Guy Vander Jagt (R-Mich)
recently hit upon an interesting fund
raising idea. He urged Republicans to
give money to support a campaign to
repeal the Twenty-second Amen-
dment which limits presidents to two
terms. Vander Jagt's financial ap-
peal is primarily a gimmick to raise
money for Republican candidates.
Still, he made a good point, the amen-
dment is anti-democratic and should
be repealed.
The fact that the Republicans are
behind the idea is poetic irony. It was
their party which originally pushed it
through as a reaction against the four
terms served by Franklin Roosevelt.
Since then the two presidents whom it
affected, both Eisenhower and now
Reagan, have been Republicans.
The arguments in favor of the
amendment are that it protects
against demogogues achieving ex-
cessive power and that it in-
stitutionalizes the pre-Roosevelt.
tradition of presidents serving two
terms. They also argue that the
limitation prevents the dominance
of one political party.
These arguments are simply
justifications to thwart the will of the
electorate. Nixon proved that even
with a two term limit presidents can

wield excessive power. Af
Watergate,Congress passed the V
Powers Act and other legislat
limiting the role of the execut
branch in a more effective way ti
the Twenty-second Amendment.
Those who argue for the mi
tenance of the two term tradit
ignore the precedent of Roosev
His presidency proved that one car
elected four times with
destabilizing the country. It wo
have been an injustice to have den
Americans the right to elect the c
didate of their choice dur
Roosevelt's time when the Un
States suffered both from the G
Depression and World War II.
The argument against
dominance of one political p
seems particularly weak. In the
election Reagan received more t
60 percent of the vote while his p
remained in the minority in both
House of Representatives and in
state houses.
There is a legitimate fear th
president serving more than two
ms could have an excessive influ
on public policy through court
departmental appointments.
framers of the constitution had f
in the people's judgement.
current guardians of the constitu
should share that faith.

Summertime

J UR UNIVERSITY town, cooled
by sweet summertime breezes,
is a relaxing and enjoyable place to
spend the summer months. In con-
trast to the Fall and Winter terms
when the pace is fast and stress mon-
sters abound, the arrival of Spring
brightens Ann Arbor's color, mellows
its disposition, and slows its tempo.
As students here, we sometimes
forget the transitional nature of our
stay. This is understandable. Four
years sounds like a long time. In
reality, it passes quickly.
Happily, we keep our memories.
And from this summer, we each have
our own. You may remember:
laughter and friendship at a favorite

house party; the busy sights and
sounds of the Ann Arbor Art Fair; the
feel of a cool breeze nourishing a
sweat-filled run; a romantic, moonlit
stroll through the Arb; an afternoon
trying to study in the Diag; and
maybe, if you're lucky, the taste of
your favorite ice cream.
Remember that Ann Arbor was a
beautiful place to be this summer, but
brace yourself. Buy your books now.
The onslaught of a hectic and crowded
Fall term is just around the corner.
Be ready for new experiences, a new
schedule, and a different, yet still ap-
pealing, Ann Arbor.
Good luck on your finals. We'll see
you in September, Daily.

CON(
your
YOU
SAo1

Letters to the Daily should be typed, triple-spaced, and
signed by the individual authors. Names will be withheld
only in unusual circumstances. Letters may be edited for
clarity, grammar, and spelling.
5%'SSN-- OUR ADS DON'T MAKE-TEVIRE DESI&NED To CHANGE THE
& PEOPLE START SWVINCr BRAND 1.OYALTIES OF PEOPLE Who
MEAN A oF YOUN&, CkTNvE Tr'ATS RHT - OUR ZVETIG IS
KER DON'T ENTICE KIDS To PaCC AIMED AT THER SECOND ClGAETTE
_t UP THER FIRST
-CA&PWIETTE? -
--

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