4 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, August 12, 2002 420 MAYNARD STREET ANN ARBOR, MI 48109 LISA HOFFMAN ZAC PESKOWITZ letters@michigandaily.com Editor in Chief Editorial Page Editor EDITED AND MANAGED BY STUDENTS AT THE Unless otherwise noted, unsigned editorials reflect the opinion of UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN the majority of the Daily's editorial board. All other pieces do not SINCE 1890 necessarily reflect the opinion of The Michigan Daily. "I want people to say that Michigan is a better, more distinguished place for me having been here. That we are more humane and are taking better care of our undergraduate and graduate students." - University President Mary Sue Coleman to the Detroit Free Press. There is a two-tiered justice system at the University. University employees reserve the established rights of the U.S. judicial system in their disputes with the University. Students, however, do not receive this treatment. Disputes between students and the University are resolved under a different set of rules. The Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities, formerly known as the Code of Student Conduct, governs students' legal dealings with the University. The Code has gone through a series of permutations and name changes, but its fundamental dimension has yet to change. The denial of judicial rights that is at the center of the document has not been The University's shame Act now or forever hold no rights amended or reformed. Among the more unfortunate aspects of the Code, the resolution process stands out as particularly egregious. Students cannot have legal counsel speak on their behalf and hearsay evidence is admissible in the kan- garoo court's proceedings. The University administration has justified these regula- tions as tools to improve students' educa- tion and encourage their personal develop- ment. To allow its students to be unfairly exposed to the possibility of suspension or expulsion and justifying it as in the best interests of the students is unconscionable. Every other academic year, the Code is eligible to undergo a series of revi- sions. This process, which involves the joint work of the Michigan Student Assembly, the Executive Officers of the University and the Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs, culmi- nates in a presidential decision to accept or deny the various changes. The last time this process was undertaken during the 2000-2001 school year, weak executive leadership and internal turmoil prevented MSA from effectively challenging the administration. Former President Bollinger conceded to 85 percent of the proposed changes. In reality, these changes consisted of grammatical and verbal revisions that kept intact most of the Code's disconcerting provisions. For the first time in the history of the Code, the University has a new president with no previous connections to the University. While past presidents have been content to let the status quo reign, Coleman is uniquely positioned to imple- ment the far-reaching changes that will give students the rights at the University that they possess in civil society. The next academic year could prove to be a water- shed moment in the history of student rights at the University - if students active- ly assert their opposition to the Code. The Code was once the prime concern of student activists across campus. Massive rallies in opposition to the docu- ment were frequent through the late '80s and into the '90s. But that spirit vanished as students left Ann Arbor and the Code became entrenched into the fabric of stu- dent life. This apathy must be rejected. Students need to once again pressure the president and her administration to destroy the Code. President Coleman's vision of a more humane University is an inspiring goal. The first and most obvious step in what will necessarily be an extended process is to eliminate the Code. It is time to restore humanity to the academy. A cautionary tale Athletic Department must remember Martin's legacy Banned Michigan basketball booster Eddie L. Martin will soon appear before U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland to receive his sentence for money laundering and gambling charges. In return for a lenient sentence, Martin has agreed to disclose the details of his money laundering scheme and the names of those involved in this operation. The Athletic Department is following the proceedings with cautious optimism. The repercussions of Martin's actions have already been felt Thed within the basketball program. forget Years of weak recruiting classes leg and a team in disarray at the end impro of former coach Brian Ellerbe's st tenure were a few of the manifes- tations of Martin's shadow. These were some of the more apparent problems in the program, but the entire culture surround- ing the basketball program has suffered as a result of Martin. The desire to forget Martin's legacy of impropriety is strong. The National Collegiate Athletic Association is current- ly investigating the basketball program and the possibility of sanctions is alive. The next several months may be trying for the Athletic Department. Even if sanctions are not imposed, the national publicity that Martin generates will only add to the stig- ma that is attaching itself to Michigan bas- ketball and the University. Despite the inclination to rapidly move beyond the Martin scandal, the Athletic Department and the University should use this opportunity to ponder the repercus- sions of their past actions. While the extent of the University's involvement in the affair is still unclear, it is readily appar- ent that the Athletic Department failed to insulate its players from Martin's influ- ence. The Martin saga should not be quickly forgotten, like most collegiate ath- letic scandals, but should instead serve as an example of how probity can lapse when winning becomes the fundamental goal of the department. Athletic Director Bill Martin has over- hauled the Athletic Department and it is unimaginable that a scandal of similar magnitude could again desire to descend upon Ann Arbor, but Martin's there are still lessons to be Eacy of learned from the past. apriety is Preventing future violations rong. is a complicated task that will require a new philosophy for the department. The Athletic Department needs to recommit itself to the values of the student-athlete. Athletes can no longer be exploited for their talents and be allowed to leave the University with a sub- standard education. Athletes' misdeeds can no longer be tolerated with ineffectual rebuffs. The Athletic Department can no longer be imagined as a sovereign entity and effective faculty oversight must be restored. The days of the Fab Five were one of the high-water marks in the history of Michigan athletics, but their accomplish- ments were not achieved without corrup- tion. In a university where athletics are granted a privileged position, it is crucial that this experience is remembered to tem- per future excesses. Coach Tommy Amaker has already made great strides in returning Michigan to a level of national prominence. The basketball-program will eventually recov- Smoke and mirrors Ballot proposal would hurt Michigan students pponents of the Nov. 4 ballot proposal four-year university in this decade because of to amend the Michigan Constitution rising tuition and limited scholarship options. gained some much-needed publicity Taking funding away from a successful, large- last week when state Sen. John "Joe" Schwarz scale scholarship program, especially during (R-Battle Creek) took over as chair of People uncertain economic times, only compoundsthis Protecting Kids and the Constitution, an orga- crisis. Although far from perfect, the scholar- nization that is fighting the initiative. The ballot ship program is a critical part of Michigan's proposal would shift Michigan's tobacco settle- higher education system. ment money from the Michigan Merit Proponents of the amendment argue that it Scholarship program to a coalition of health is logical to spend tobacco settlement money on care interests for use in smoking prevention and preventing smoking. Under the proposal, health care. Schwarz's presence should help though, there is no guarantee that all the money bring the media spotlight to a con- will actually be used for tobacco tentious and important issue that It is unfortunate prevention and without another could have serious consequences that crucial constitutional amendment, it will for Michigan students. interests like be impossible to redistribute the It is unfortunate that crucial health care and money if programs prove ineffec- interests like health care and educa- education must tive at any juncture during the tion must battle for funding. Both battle for funding. fund's 25-year life. sectors receive inadequate funding The $300-$380 million annual and support from the state and both are wholly payout would be divided between 11 differeit justified in their demands for more money. That programs, with no specific mandate for how is why it is imperative that Michigan votersrec- the money should be spent. Among the bene- ognize that the proposal is not simply a cut and ficiaries of the proposal is the Tobacco-Free dry vote for improved health care and that the Futures Fund, Inc., which would receive amendment will do more harm than good. approximately $50 million annually. The Michigan Merit Scholarship program Operating outside of the jurisdiction of the has awarded 140,000 scholarships of $2,500 to Michigan Freedom of Information Act, the Michigan high school students over the past corporation would not be held accountable or three years. Another 50,000 students are penalized for misuse of funds, failure to act in expected to receive the grant in the coming the public's best interest or simply running an year. The value of this money cannot be under- inefficient operation. stated. Most importantly, it can be the differ- After close examination, it is clear that ence between attending a community college Michigan's tobacco settlement money would be and not attending school at all. It can also help better used in a proven program that helps tens bridge the financial divide between a commu- of thousands of Michigan students attend col- nity college and a four-year university and help lege. Tobacco prevention and health care is cer- ease the heavy financial burden student loans. tainly a worthy cause. However, a constitution- A study released in June by the Advisory al amendment that locks in funding with little or Committee on Student Financial Assistance no public oversight for 25 years and drains cru- warns that over 4 million high school students cial state scholarship funding is a poor way to across the country will not be able to attend a combat the problem. I 4 4 I I