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.