4 -The Michigan Daily- Monday,May 7, 2001
Edited and managed by
JACQUELYN NIXON AUBREY HENRET
Students at the 4 +'Editor in Chief Editorial Page EA
University of Michiganm a
Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion
420 Maynard Street majority of the Daily's editorial board. All other articles, letter
Ann Arbor, M I48109 cartoons do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan
Md ost students arrive at the University
of Michigan expecting to learn
ittle something about the real
world. But those whose actions - through
one way or another - conflict with the Stu-
dent Code of Conduct will soon realize that
the University administration functions less
like an ambassador of society and more like
a surrogate parent. The home life of most
students isn't a democracy, as nurturing par-
ents can sometimes be dictatorial and arbi-
trary; this metaphor can be extended to the
University administration under the Code.
Its flaws allow instances of unfairness and
injustice.
Consider the case of Brian Montieth,
who was charged and found guilty of
destroying University property. Before leav-
ing for winter break in 1996, Montieth was
approached by two Department of Public
Safety officers who asked to search his
room. They informed him that someone in
his West Quad Residence ltallway had just
been launching apples across the street
_..
And justice for all
'U' drops all Code charges against Hughes
against the Fleming building and had broken
some windows.
Despite a hall mate's eventual confession,
the administration believed Montieth was
involved. According to Montieth, it threat-
ened him with a more severe punishment if
he pleaded not guilty and attempted to
defend himself. Montieth claims the only
evidence the administration possessed was a
statement from the dormitory housekeeper
that she remembers hearing his remarks
about a broken window. Seeing no other
options, he entered a guilty plea. Montieth's
case shows the potential for the administra-
tion to function as prosecutor, jury and judge
under the Code; the U.S. Constitution for-
bids one body from assuming all these roles
at once.
Consider also the case of Ryan Hughes,
who was recently charged with assault and
vandalism for allegedly spray-painting the
sign of an anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender demonstrator at the LGBT
Kiss-in in the Diag. DPS arrested Hughes
and forwarded a complaint to the Office of
Student Conflict Resolution. OSCR contin-
ued prosecuting even though Hughes' so-
called victim never filed charges. The Code
prevented his lawyer from speaking on his
behalf during meetings with administrators.
Hughes' case highlights the potential for
excessive prosecution under the Code.
In an e-mail sent to the Daily, Hughes
states that as of April 13 the administration
has officially dropped its case against him.
According to Hughes, the administration
was prosecuting based on a complaint it
received; the subsequent withdrawal o:
complaint prompted the administratic
drop the case completely. Since it is be
that Hughes' victim never filed chN
there may not have been a "complaint" a
In the end it seems the administration
prosecuting Hughes based only on a re
that DPS filed as a matter of procedure.
Based on the available information
administration's recent actions seem b
motivated by damage-control intention
unjustly used its extensive powers of pi
cution against Hughes and, because o
undesired attention generated by Hu
case, has shifted the blame onto and
fined third party. It seems that under
Code, the administration possesses
power both to arbitrarily charge students
to drop those charges for its convenie
Hopefully, the administration's re
actions (however Machiavellian) are an
cation that it is beginning to recogniz
Code's flaws.
Students for dollars
Seattle school choice system flawed
O pponents of public school vouchers Seattle's present system falls woefully
emerged victoriously from last short.
November's elections. In Michigan The main problem is that the monetary
and California, strong support from the bonus is too small. Each low-income ele-
populace defeated ballot initiatives that mentary student in Seattle schools is
would have made public school vouchers a afforded $259 more than his or her middle-
reality. These solid defeats suggest that class counterpart. This amount is not
most people understand that a few federal enough to make up for the additional
handouts will not solve the problem of resources that are required to overcome the
deteriorating public schools. Against the barriers to the child's learning; lower-class
better judgment of local officials, a new children have received substandard educa-
form of school choice is creeping up in tions from underpaid teachers their whole
Seattle. lives and cannot catch up on a mere $259.
School choice is the idea that parents Middle to upper- class schools will not
can choose which public schools they want want to attract students that cost more
their children to attend, regardless of the money than they bring in. According to
district in which they live. Theoretically, Seattle school officials, the extra funding
this would allow parents of children living needs to be at least doubled in order to see
in bad school districts to send the kids away any real benefits. Because of Federal Title
for a better education, thus integrating the I, low-income additional funds are already
system. In reality, this would lead to over- allocated to schools in poverty stricken
crowding in better suburban schools and areas; these schools complain lack of pub-
continued dilapidation in inner-city schools. lic support is more of a stumbling block
Public schools get their funding on a than lack of funding.
per-pupil basis; each child brings a set Fortunately, programs addressing these
amount of money to his or her school. In issues do exist. "Teach for America" brings
Seattle, children from low-income families college graduates into the classroom for
or with poor English skills bring in more two years of teaching. In 1994, Congress
money per head, supposedly to cover the passed the "Goals 2000: Educate America
added cost of teaching disadvantaged chil- Act" which provides voluntary grants to
dren. In theory, poor schools would see a schools that encourage local planning and
large increase in immediate cash, as a focus on public and parental involvement in
large majority of their students would schools.
qualify for the funds. Also, middle to Extra funds are necessary to aid ailing
upper-class schools will want to attract public schools, but tiny cash incentives like
low-income children in order to get this those offered in Seattle are not sufficient.
extra funding, thereby increasing diversity Until a better budgeting system is proposed,
throughout the system and fostering com- grass-roots volunteerism and strong public
petition. As laudable as these goals are, support are our children's best allies.
Ladies First
Legislation would protect women's rights
T he Unborn Victims of Violence Act implied by law; of any person for
recently passed by the U.S. House of medical treatment of the pregnant wo
Representatives has caused quite an or her unborn child; or of any woman
uprising in the pro-choice community. respect to her unborn child."
Under the Act, a person who attacks a Noting the bill's explicit reaffi
pregnant woman in a manner that termi- of women's reproductive freedom, this
nates her pregnancy can be charged with should be viewed as a greater protectic
murder or manslaughter. Opponents say women's rights. The bill specifically g
that the bill is little more than a poorly dis- antees the full protection of the lat
guised attack on a woman's right to women who choose abortion, so it need
choose; they say that if the Senate passes be feared that it could be used in fu
the bill, it can be used later as evidence cases against women's reproductive I
that fetuses are human beings. While this doms.
is a valid concern, there are provisions in As this bill is brought before the E
the bill designed to prevent it from threat- it should be passed; the measure will
ening a woman's right to choose in the tect woman without infringing upon*
future. rights. The bill is clearly worded so as
In fact, the Unborn Victims of Violence to be misconstrued as an attacl<
Act was written with women's reproductive women's reproductive rights and it rigl
freedoms as the first priority. Its primary ly enables victims of violence to seek
purpose is to punish those who would take severe punishments for their attacl
away a woman's right to cnoose to the Every effort should be taken to ensure
fullest extent of the law. Under current law, the violent violation of women's righ
should a fetus be destroyed during the punished swiftly in accordance w'
assault of a pregnant woman, the perpetra- dictates ofjustice.
tor can be charged only with assault. It is Neither should this bill present itsel
only fitting to stiffen the penalty of a crimi- an opportunity for partisan politics.
nal who violates the reproductive rights of bipartisan support which enabled this
another; the Senate should follow the to pass the house should continue in
example of the House and pass this bill. senate. Whether an elected official is]
While critics claim that this bill is an choice or pro-life should not deter ti
anti-choice measure in disguise, the actual from emphatically reaffirming a bill wI
text of the bill reveals otherwise: "Nothing protects women. So long as abort'
in this section shall be construed to permit explicitly exempted from this bill it
the prosecution of any person for conduct be used as a weapon to restrict reproc
relating to an abortion for which the con- tive rights, and as this bill does
sent of the pregnant woman, or a person infringe upon the woman's right to cho
authorized by law to act on her behalf, has it should be passed as a reaffirmatio
been obtained or for which such consent is freedom.