4 -The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, July 19, 1995 420 Maynard Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan RONNIE GLASSBERG ADRIENNE JANNEY Editor in Chief JOEL F. KNUTSON Editorial Page Editors Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of a majority of 4 the Daily's editorial hoard. All other articles, letters and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Daily's editorial board. Proposed tuition increases for in-state stu- dents are the lowest in 10 years - and still rather steep at 4.9 percent for the fresh- man/sophomore level, 5.8 percent for the jun- ior/senior level and 6.8 percent for out-of- state students. The University feels that it has to raise tuition at least to the rate of inflation. Accord- ing to the Consumer Price Index this year's rate of inflation is 3.9 percent, pushing the lowest University proposed increase over CPI by 1 percent and the highest to almost 3 percent. It is contended that universities expe- rience a different inflation - it is a more expensive environment than the family that CPI is based on. However, if tuition continues to increase above the rate of inflation, higher education will be completely unreachable. It is barely attainable now for the portion that make it. Students are taking out heavy loans, scram- bling for grants and spending quality studying time on'the job instead. College will go from the American dream to the American myth. On the state level, few are receptive to University pleas for funding, which fell on deaf ears in the Legislature. After struggling to get a mere 3 percent increase in appropria- tions, almost 1 percent lower than CPI, the Like the dinosaurs Higher ed. made endangered species by the increasing cost - college soon to be extinct University may still have to rough it. Its status as a prestigious-yet-public university does not seem to get results in the Legislature. Rather, much of the state views the University as a college full of snobs, an image that does nothing for winning friends and influences. The only bright spot was the lifting of the 70/30 enrollment ratio requirement. Nationally, the environment is no less hostile. Republicans are on the budgetary warpath, targeting grants and subsidized loans and adhering to the ideology that students must work for it. But students on financial aid are working for every minute of their educa- tions - and they will spend years afterward paying for it as well. As the University scrambles to compensate for these realized and potential losses, in-state appropriations and financial aid, it must keep in mind the reason for playing the game: the stu- dents. At June's Board of Regents meeting, Re- gent Shirley McFee (R-Battle Creek) made a case for the opposition, tearing into families who do not plan ahead. However, McFee's mistake was equating middle class America with her own family. Not everyone has the resources to save for college, but those people should not be denied an education. McFee criticized those on financial aid, speaking about a "buy-now, pay-later syn- drome." She views the problem narrowly, say- ing, "What started out as a means of assistance has now become a way of life." Regent Nellie Varner (D-Detroit) re- sponded as the voice of reason, pointing out that those who cannot afford it "should not sacrificed to put (the system) back in order ... poor kids really suffer by the cuts." In line with this is that much of the recom- mended tuition increasewoul go for financial aid, an area badly in need of support --one th directly and dranatically benefits students. Tuition increases are not, by any means preferable, but at least it would not be put toward new and extravagant projects. Realistically, there will be financial prob- lems in the next several years. The question is: How shouldthe University dealwiththe crunch? Raising tuition is not a favorable answer. Provost Gilbert R. Whitaker Jr. asserted that had the University received a higher appropriations increase fromthe state, it wou have been able to remain under the CPI infla- tion rate. Hopefully next year the University will know better, arriving at the Legislature with truckloads of alumni, lobbyists and influen- tial supporters. Perhaps it could be demon- strated to the state that the University is not a frivolous playground, but a valuable resource to the state. Regents will probably pass the propose tuition increase - but they must search for t better solution. Equal protection Discrimination laws must include sexual orientation o words. In order for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals to be accorded equal rights against discrimination in the workplace, hous- ing and public accommodations that apply to heterosexuals in Michigan, the words "sexual orientation" need to be added to existing laws against discrimination. Michigan'scivilrightslaw,knownasElliot- Larson, is one of the most progressive laws in the country. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, creed, age, disability, physical characteristics (including height and weight) and religion. Although the idea that homosexuality is abnormal or a preference has long since been scientifically dismissed, resis- tance toward ensuring human rights for gays, lesbians and bisexuals is actually increasing as the Legislature becomes more conservative. Although some cities across the state such as Ann Arbor have enacted patchwork laws en- suring civil rights for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals, at a local level, it clearly needs to be done at a statewide level. An amendment to Elliot-Larson would in no way provide special rights to gays, lesbians and bisexuals as many opponents claim. Rather, it would ensure that neither heterosexuals nor homosexuals would have the freedom to deny housing or discriminate based on a person's sexual orientation. Ironically, the most vapid crusaders against gay men, lesbians and bi- sexuals are those who profit most from another protected right: freedom of religion. Rep. David Jaye (R-Shelby Township) claims that a bill protecting homosexuals from violence and discrimination wouldleadto"child molestation and sodomy," and spews hate to- ward gays, lesbians and bisexuals. Religious right-wingers like Jaye forget that all humans have a sexual orientation, and that, unlike reli- gion, it would be inclusive of all citizens, not just gays, lesbians and bisexuals. The argument thatgays, lesbians and bisexuals choosetheirsexuality,andthusarenotdeservingof specialrights isoutdated.Firstofall,choosingalife where society forces one into a closet or a world of discrimination would be nothing if not mas- ochistic. Furthermore, choice is not even a valid argument. People can convert religions without fear. Why not sexuality? Not every human is religious. Every human being has a sexuality. Thereligiousrighthasthe righttotheirbeliefs. Unfortunately, many are exploiting this right to oppress others. Including sexual orientation in anti-discriminationlaws would not make people have to accept homosexuality. But whether or not someoneagreeswithbeinggay,lesbianorbisexual does not give them the right to deny them public accommodationsorhumanrights.Everyoneshould be accorded the necessary rights that enable them to be upstanding members of society. The desire for a safe and meaningful life, one that includes the right to raise and provide for a family in a positive environment, is the most basic of human rights. That lawmakers lack the courage to bring a bill inclusive of sexual orientation to the floor is a backhanded approval of prohibiting gays, lesbians and bi- sexuals from acquiring equalrights as members of society. Including sexualorientationin anti-discrimi- nation laws at a state level does not equate special rights for a small group. It will ensure civil rights for all. Double standards U.S. needs to persuade France to stop nuclear testing O n July 9, nearly 10 years to the day after has refused to detonate any on their own soil. French divers blew up the Greenpeace Although the French government claims th ship Rainbow Warrior and killed a photogra- testing poses no health problems, the 180, pher, French commandos boarded, tear gassed inhabitants in the fallout area around the explo- and seized journalists and the crew aboard the sions suffer frommarked increases in leukemia, ship Rainbow Warrior II as it sailed toward the thyroid disease, unarable land and unpotable Mururoa Atoll to protest the resumption of water consistent with similar testing areas in nuclear testing. The moratorium on nuclear Nevada and Kazakhstan. AssignedFrench doc- testing established by former French President tors, in a published 1990 document that was Mitterrand has been lifted by the newly elected supposed to concern the negative effects of Chirac. Ignoring the 40 percent unemployment, radiation fallout, became far more interested in class warfare and sickness, the French military addressing the economic benefits of a French has already brought to the 180,000 inhabitants military support center in Tahiti. of the South Pacific islands affected by French The French people do not want to re-estab- nuclear testing. Chirac has planned eight lish nuclear testing. Seventy percent of the nuclear tests in the atoll starting in September. voters disagree with Chriac. No wonder, since France's renewal of nuclear testing is indica- testing in French Polynesia costs the country $1 tive of the superpowers' arrogant attitude con- billion a year. A cost-benefit analysis of nuclear cerning the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, testing clearly demonstrates that the United approved by 174 nations. The treaty seeks to States and other testing countries have wasted, limit the spread of nuclear weapons, but essen- and will continue to waste, far too much money tially allows the above countries to maintain on establishing the reliability of warheads de- their arsenals while expecting countries with signed to generate greater explosive yield -. nuclear technology such as India not to develop missiles that will supposedly be dismantled. weapons. Although President Clinton has called The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and for an end to nuclear testing, and adopted a the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty were ma- statement for a complete test ban accord, the jor steps on the road to nuclear disarmament. U.S. State Department has done nothing to Yet, it is not hard to understand why some suggest that NATO countries cease testing. countries want no part of the treaty. If the United Promises from Britain, France, Russia and the States fails to stand up to France, it will have no United States tocease testingby 1996 are empty right to criticize China or North Korea. The if current moratoriums on testing are ignored. trend that France's resumption of testing sets is Chirac's decision to resume testing brings to one that would allow nuclear powers to follos light many arguments in favor of bringing an suit by modernizing their weapons and embao end to nuclear testing. Since 1966, France has on a full nuclear program. detonated 187 nuclear weapons on the Mururoa It is impossible to put nuclear weapons to and Fangataufa atolls. At the same time, France rest before an end to nuclear testing is achieved.