4 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, May 7, 1997 Edited and managed by ERIN MARSH JACK SCHILLACI students at the Editor in Chief Editorial Page Editor University of Michigan AL 'A Unless otherwise noted. unsigned editorials reflect the opmu11n o Int 420 Maynard Street majorin ofte Daily.,; eitol /hoard./ otharticles.dletters Ann Arbor, MI 48109 '"aoofl"" do tlot neas'l ll it theopinion o/ T/ Alicigan aiOl I f four Republicans in the state House have their way, University policies could regress to the point that personal and ethnic background would no longer con- tribute to admissions decisions. In a press release issued Thursday, four state legisla- tors - Reps. Deborah Wyman (R-Canton Twp.), David Jaye (R-Washington Twp.), Greg Kaza (R-Rochester Hills) and Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau) - threatened the University with an investi- gation into admissions policies they called "shamefully selective" The state should not interfere with the University's affirma- tive action policy; it supports campus diversity and fosters a unique learning environment. The lawmakers stated the possibility of a discrimination lawsuit against the University's office of admissions. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the University of Texas' law school in March 1996 in a similar case. Jaye stated intentions to introduce a ref- erendum similar to California's ReaIirming action 'U' must support AAU resolution Proposition 209 that would effectively eliminate affirmative action from use in Michigan. Affirmative action's goal is to put all candidates on an equal playing field - removing it could seriously challenge diversity efforts on campus and in the workplace. Despite what the four representatives believe, affirmative action policies do not work to institutionalize discrimination. While there are laws granting equal oppor- tunity to all regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, vestiges of past discriminatory beliefs still exist today and create a glass ceiling on achievement for women and minorities. The University's affirmative action policies work to counteract past dis- crimination by making the campus more representative of the diverse communities from which it draws students. It also cre- ates a unique learning environment that allows students to interact with people from backgrounds different from their own. Recently, the Association of American Universities - composed of 62 higher education, institutions including the University - adopted a resolution sup- porting the use of affirmative action in admissions. In light of events such as the U.S. Court of Appeals' ruling, it is impor- tant that universities throw united support behind policies that broaden opportunities for minority groups. The AAU's resolution solidifies higher education's commitment to diversity. The association tried to eliminate the idea that test scores and grades should be the only factors in admissions decisions - it sup ports a broader definition of merit tha includes diverse backgrounds and experi. ences as criteria. The legislators' attempts to inter r with University policies should not c to fruition. The University must maintair autonomy in order to ensure that polic) decisions reflect what is best for the University's educational goals rather thar what is politically vogue. The Universit) should stand steadfastly behind its affir mative action policies as they promot( diversity and enhance student life. The controversial environment sur rounding affirmative action threatens its continued use. With conservative legia- tors threatening investigations and law- suits, affirmative action stands seriously challenged. The AAU's resolution pre. sents a united voice from higher educatior supporting the use of affirmative actior policies. The University should stan behind it or risk a decline in camput diversity. Penalty box Death penalty is not beneficial to the state In 1846, Michigan became the first inequitable execution. There can be no English-speaking territory to prohibit doubt that mistakes happen in the legal sys- capital punishment. One hundred fifty-one tem - nearly 40 percent of death sentences years later, several state legislators are work- are overturned upon appeal. Furthermore, in ing to throw out the state's constitutional the past 27 years, new evidence freed 59 ban on the death penalty. Last month, state innocent death row inmates. One can only Sen. Doug Carl (R-Mt. Clemens), a co- guess how many innocent prisoners per- sponsor of one such bill under considera- ished in electric chairs and gas chambers. tion, predicted approval by the state Senate. Even more disturbing are the obvious Repealing the state's ban on capital inequalities in the types of crimes and punishment requires a two-thirds majority inmates prosecuted to the fullest extent of of both houses of the state legislature fol- the law. Over a 20-year period ending last lowed by referendum approval by July, 23 times the number of African- Michigan voters. Although passage in the American prisoners were executed for Democrat-controlled state House of killing white citizens than vice versa. Representatives remains far from a sure Similarly, poor and minority inmates are bet, a 1995 poll of likely voters showed more likely to end up on death row than more than 70 percent in favor of the death their white or affluent counterparts penalty - if the bill reached the state's charged with similar crimes. electorate, repeal of the constitutional pro- Proponents also argue that the presence hibition would probably follow of capital punishment would serve as an Proponents' rationale for capital pun- effective deterrent to crime - would-be ishment range from the economic savings criminals, faced with the specter of death, in executing prisoners to the reduction in might think twice about committing crime. Their arguments are flawed on deviant acts. This point fuels most calls for many levels. capital punishment. Citizens are told that In monetary terms, the costs of execut- the death penalty is a necessary and effec- ing prisoners could exceed those of life- tive solution to violent crime in Michigan. time incarceration. Taking into account However, no evidence exists linking the increased security costs for death row presence of a death penalty with reduced inmates and the extensive appeals process numbers of capital crimes. Michigan's per allowed - and paid for by states - dis- capita homicide rate is half that of patching a prisoner may cost up to $2 mil- Louisiana's, where lethal injections have lion more than lifetime incarceration. taken the lives of 23 prisoners since 1976. Many proponents also claim that the The death penalty is an emotional issue death penalty offers closure for victims' championed by those who follow the pre- families. Long and often successful cepts of "an eye for an eye." Michigan has appeals processes prevent immediate clo- a longstanding tradition of rejecting the sure - and drag families through painful death penalty. State lawmakers must not emotional trials. alter this tradition in favor of a vengeful, Greater arguments against capital pun- inequitable and ultimately ineffective ishment lie in the realm of its imperfect, practice. Pdce of policy Legislation threatens 'U"s autonomy tate appropriations and financial aid Campus sexual assault is an importan programs play a large role in state col- issue that colleges and universities shout lege and universities' budgets. The state deal with effectively. Victims of sexua sometimes abuses its power to put institu- assault often face stigmatization and dt tions into a financial stranglehold. not report assault incidents for fear o Legislation presently active in the state scrutiny. Sexual assault policies shlk House and Senate would exact a steep foster an environment that allows victlrr financial penalty for state colleges and to feel safe when reporting the crime universities that do not have a written and committed against them. enforced sexual assault policy. While The University has an established sex ensuring sexual assault victims have a ual assault policy. However, other stat< method of reporting crimes is important, colleges and universities do not. Al the state should not use its budgetary con- schools must follow federal laws an trol as a means to force its own policies on report crimes, but presently there is n state colleges and universities. mechanism at the state level to mandat< The House approved the bill twice but comprehensive policies. The propose c it has yet to pass in the Senate. The bill would require that schools inform vic would restrict 11 student aid programs of their rights and ensure that they are fre< including if schools did not comply with from coercion to not report sexual assault the policy, seriously hampering students' Survivors of sexual assault should hav< ability to pay their tuition bills. The bill the right to protection on all campuses - would punish students for their schools' an established and enforceable policy i: policy decisions, unfairly placing an extra important for students' well-being. Th< burden on them. state bill could help victims of sexua In the past, the state used its control assault - the legislature should removi over education appropriations dollars to threats to the University's financial auton influence University policies. The legis- omy and pass the bill. lature attached a rider to last year's appro- Fear of sexual assault threatensa priations bill that threatened financial institution's educational environment punishment for extending health benefits Victims of sexual assault should not fee to same-sex partners of employees of as though they are without support if the: state institutions. Michigan voters elect decide to reveal what happened to them. the University Board of Regents to run state-mandated sexual assault polico the University - using funding as a could go a long way in helping provide ai weapon to influence policy undermines environment that supports victims voters' decisions and challenges the However, the state should not dangl Unviersity's autonomy. The University appropriations dollars in front of college must be independent from state influence and universities to threaten them.h in policy decisions - the state should relationship between state institutions an change the proposed bill and allow the legislature should be autonomous t schools to maintain control over their ensure that educational decisions ar own policies. made in students' best interest.