vol_25_no_2 by Michigan Review

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW The Journal of Campus Affairs at the University of Michigan

Inside Features

M A look into the history of religion at the Unversity of Michigan. 3

9.20.06 | VOLUME XXV, ISSUE 2

The Deceptive Campaign Against the MCRI One United Michigan and the Center for the Education of Women team up to distort the facts about the MCRI and DI¿UPDWLYH DFWLRQ

BY NICK CHEOLAS, ‘07

S Regents vote to raise tuition Campus

5.5% for the 2006-2007 school year. Only one regent opposes the hike. 3 Plans for development close to campus cave in after City Council gets caught calling a bluff. 3

Opinion

Returning home from reality and re-entering the bubble. Has the pursuit of diversity supplanted the pursuit of knowledge at the University? (GLWRULDOV 3

R Amanda Nichols on Morgan Wilkins and those pesky illegals.

Adam Paul on Harvard’s decision to end early admissions. &ROXPQV 3

Arts & Culture Reviewing season three of Arrested Development. 3

Has the reliance on self-esteem doomed our generation? Generation Me book review. 3

INCE THE BIRTH OF THE MICHIGAN Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) in early 2004, supporters of the effort to ban racial and gender preferences in the public sector have faced relentless attacks from a wellfunded opposition. For months, MCRI opponents have challenged everything from the petition signatures to the ballot language, accusing MCRI supporters of engaging in fraud and deception. But as it has become clear that voters will deterPLQH WKH IDWH RI DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ LQ WKH voting booth this November, the opposition has shifted their focus. Ironically, it has been organizations such as One United Michigan – the principle group opposing the MCRI – that have resorted to scare tactics and distortions to further their interests. A recent report issued by Susan Kaufmann of the University of Michigan’s Center for the Education of Women appears prominently on the One United Michigan website, and is heavily touted among the anti-MCRI crowd. Entitled The Potential Impact of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative on Employment, Education and Contracting, this report is a good example of the fear mongering employed by MCRI opponents, and a comprehensive look at the motives,

agenda, and arguments driving the antiMCRI crowd. In the report, Kaufmann examines the effects of Proposition 209 in California, an initiative similar to MCRI passed in 1996. Kaufmann and her anti-MCRI allies have gone to great lengths to conYLQFH 0LFKLJDQGHUV WKDW WKH HQG RI DIÀUmative action would spell disaster for the state. Unfortunately, they do so by twisting facts, playing with language, and obscuring the central issue. The notion that the end of racial and gender preferences was a disaster for California is simply not supported by evidence. Kaufmann begins her report by arguing that the MCRI “appears to confer no additional civil rights,” and that “exist-

A look into the claims made by MCRI opponents reveals faulty logic, twisted language, and misleading “evidence.” ing state and civil rights laws seem to be clear and adequate” to protect such rights. These are arguments frequently made by MCRI opponents. Although modeled – nearly verbatim – after the Civil Rights Act of 1964, those who oppose the measure have argued that the MCRI is deceptively named, and actually threatens civil rights. Mark Bernstein, Chairman of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission declared that the MCRI “is to civil rights what an ax is to a tree.” The Coalition WR 'HIHQG $IÀUPDWLYH $FWLRQ %\ $Q\ Means Necessary (BAMN) argued that

the MCRI would move us “backward toward more segregation and racism.” The One United Michigan website warns visitors not to “roll back progress” for women and minorities. The absurdity of these claims is evident. First, while current laws may seem to be “clear and adequate,” racial discrimination in the name of “diversity” remains legal. The MCRI would put an end to that caveat. Second, by declaring the MCRI a threat to civil rights, MCRI opponents have essentially declared the “clear and adequate” civil rights legislation to be XVHOHVV ZLWKRXW DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ ,I WKH MCRI, which bans racial preferences, can move us “backwards” in time, then these individuals actually believe the gains of the entire civil rights movement are contingent on racial preferences. Kaufman’s faulty logic is pervasive within the anti-MCRI establishment. Her examination of California’s post-209 experience clearly intends to convince the reader that Proposition 209 eliminated benign, legal, and vital programs, and thus, the same would happen in Michigan if the MCRI were to pass. The anti-MCRI forces have relied heavily on this premise, declaring the MCRI would put an end to everything from single-sex schools to breast cancer screening. To make her argument, Kaufmann bases her assessment on a 1997 statement issued by former California Governor Pete Wilson. In that statement, Wilson listed numerous statues and programs

See ‘MCRI,’ Page 6

9/11 On Campus: Five Years Later BY JANE COASTON, ‘09, AND KELLY CAVANAUGH, ‘10 EPTEMBER 11, 2001 WILL FOREVER BE characterized as the “major event” of our generation, but in today’s hectic world 9/11 has taken on numerous meanings to the public. To some individuals, 9/11 has become a traumatic personal experience and to others it has become a personal rendezvous with justice. The events of September 11th should command the attention and respect of all, but at the mention of 9/11 the thoughts that come to mind vary greatly from person to person. The underlying theme, however, on the topic, seems to be the war on terrorism. In an address to the public on Monday, September 11, 2006, President Bush called the war on terrorism “the calling of our generation.” No matter the opinion on the war, 9/11 should still elicit sympathy from peoples across the world. For those who were personally touched, September 11, UHVXUUHFWHG WKH IHDU DQG ORVV IHOW ÀYH \HDUV DJR 5RE 'DQ-

iels, a sophomore and native New Yorker, couldn’t escape the destruction of that day. He remembered watching smoke rise above the city from the windows of his high school gym class. Family members were missing and friends with whom Rob grew up had found out that they had lost both parents. Rob’s immediate reaction was sympathy for lost life; only later did the terrorist implications affect his thinking. For Rob, the thought of using 9/11 to justify current foreign policy, including the war, seems absurd. Did we go to war for New York City, for the ÀUHÀJKWHUV DQG SROLFHPHQ" ´DEVROXWHO\ QRW µ 5RE UHSOLHG This year, Michigan students commemorated the day in a YDULHW\ RI ZD\V 6WXGHQWV DQG IDFXOW\ ÀOOHG 5DFNKDP $XGLWRULXP to hear Juan Cole, Professor of Modern Middle East and South Asian history, present a lecture entitled “Are We Winning

See ‘9/11,’ Page 7

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3DJH 7ZR 9.19.06 5HFHQW QHZV UHSRUWV LQGLFDWHG WKDW IHPLFTER A CARTOON IN FRIDAY’S MICHI3DEOR 0DODYHQGD ZDV UHFHQWO\ GHVFULEHG nists including Gloria Steinem are foundGAN DAILY depicted Jesus Christ, &KULVWLDQV DURXQG WKH ZRUOG SURWHVWHG as “the foremost expert on online social LQJ DQ DOO ZRPHQ·V UDGLR QHWZRUN %H- BY THE NUMBERS burned buildings, and rioted, leaving hun- QHWZRUNLQJ µ ZKLFK LV DSSDUHQWO\ WKH QHZ FDXVH WKH QDJJLQJ IURP ZRPHQ DW KRPH ZDVQ·W HQRXJK DOUHDG\« dreds dead. Christian ministers around name for “stalkers.” WKH ZRUOG FRQGHPQHG WKH UDFLVW FDUWRRQV Diag preachers inadvertently contribute DQG FDOOHG IRU D QHZ FUXVDGH DJDLQVW WKH DAYS UNTIL GEO AND LEO HOLD to science, proving there is an inverse relSHUSHWUDWRUV 2K ZDLW 7KDW GLGQ·W KDSTHEIR ANNUAL STRIKE, THIS TIME WLRQVKLS EHWZHHQ RQH·V OHYHO RI ULJKWHRXV pen. Our bad. +23,1* 72 )25&( 7+( 81,9(56,7< LQGLJQDWLRQ DQG KRZ PXFK SHRSOH OLVWHQ 72 3$< )25 6(&21' 6(; &+$1*( ([SHUWV FODLP WKLV H[SODLQV ZK\ PRVW 23(5$7,216 )25 7+26( :+2 $5( University President Mary Sue Coleman, campus activists become invisible on the DORQJ ZLWK KHU IHOORZ DGPLQLVWUDWRUV KDV UNHAPPY WITH THE Diag. WDNHQ GLYHUVLW\ WR D ZKROH QHZ OHYHO ,VQ·W 5(68/76 2) 23(5$7,21 21( she becoming more and more like the barThis semester, Michigan State Universitender from “The Boondock Saints” evty’s Housing 2IÀFH LV RIIHULQJ DQ LQIRUery year, but instead of shouting random mal “Pimpology” course for its residents. profanities, she screams “diversity?” Necto recently announced plans to stay Topics include “Getting the Girl,” sex DAYS UNTIL THE ANNUAL BOYThe mother of a missing child commit- open to 7am, but has yet to justify open- SRVLWLRQV DQG KRZ WR EUHDN XS ZLWK KHU &277 2) 7+( 0,&+,*$1 '$,/< %< GROUPS CALLING THE LIBERAL, WHG VXLFLGH DIWHU D UHFHQW LQWHUYLHZ ZLWK LQJ LQ WKH ÀUVW SODFH ,Q RWKHU QHZV VR VKH ZRQ·W FDOO EDFN 068 DGPLQLVWUD$)),50$7,9( $&7,21 6833257,1* Nancy Grace, pretty much summarizing Scorekeepers considered similar plans, tors decided to support the program after NEWSPAPER “RACIST” WKH IHHOLQJ DOO RI XV KDYH ZKLOH ZDWFKLQJ but realized most of their patrons have a hearing, “It’s hard out there for a pimp.” Course materials include condoms and a Nancy Grace. 10pm bedtime. 40 oz. of Mickey’s Ice. Ironically, these $ UHFHQW $VVRFLDWHG 3UHVV UHSRUW ZKLFK The Michigan Daily’s cunning and cre- DUH WKH VDPH FRXUVH PDWHULDOV DV RXU RZQ EHJDQ ZLWK WKH ZRUGV ´7KLUWHHQ )UHQFK DWLYH SODQ WR KHOS WKZDUW WKH WKUHDW RI (QJOLVK FRXUVH ´+RZ WR EH *D\ µ $02817 2) 021(< 7+( &,7< 2) WDQNV WKH PRVW SRZHUIXO DUPRU HYHU GH- future teacher strikes included….drum- MR DETROIT RECREATION DEPARTMENT SPENT TO REPAIR ployed by a U.N. peacekeeping force…” roll…spending more money! 7+( 322/ 2) '(752,7 0$<25 ,V WKHUH DQ\ ZD\ IRU WKLV WR HQG ZHOO"

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Letter from the Editor

R WKRVH RI \RX ZKR DUH QHZ KHUH ZHOFRPH DQG WR RXU UHWXUQLQJ VWXGHQWV ZHOFRPH EDFN 7KLV \HDU WKH 0LFKLJDQ 5HYLHZ LV celebrating its 25th year as the lone voice of intellectual conservative and libertarian opinion on campus. 7KH 5HYLHZ KDV D XQLTXH SRVLWLRQ RQ FDPSXV $V D EL ZHHNO\ SXEOLFDWLRQ ZH DUH DEOH WR GHOYH LQWR JUHDWHU GHSWK LQ RXU VWRULHV :KLOH ZH GR QRW KLGH RXU SROLWLFDO OHDQLQJV WKH LVVXHV ZH H[DPLQH DUH UHOHYDQW WR DOO FROOHJH VWXGHQWV UHJDUGOHVV RI LGHRORJ\ :H·OO DOZD\V RIIHU D JRRG GHDO RI LQWHOOHFWXDOLVP EXW ZH WU\ WR WHPSHU RXU SXEOLFDWLRQ ZLWK KXPRU DQG VDWLUH $W WKH 5HYLHZ ZH VK\ DZD\ from the name-calling and slogan-chanting that so often characterize political debate on such an active campus. <RX·OO QRWLFH D IHZ FKDQJHV LQ WKLV LVVXH RI WKH 5HYLHZ DQG PDQ\ PRUH DV WKH \HDU SURJUHVVHV :H·YH UHWXUQHG WR RXU QHZVSDSHU VW\OH IURQW SDJH DQG ZH·OO EH LQFUHDVLQJ WKH JUDSKLFDO FRQWHQW RI WKH SDSHU DV WKH \HDU SURJUHVVHV 7KLV \HDU ZH·OO EH UXQQLQJ PRUH LQ GHSWK IHDWXUH DUWLFOHV FRQWLQXLQJ RXU IDFH RIIV ZLWK WKH 0LFKLJDQ 'DLO\ DQG PDNLQJ DOO RI RXU SLHFHV PRUH FDPSXV RULented. 7KLV LVVXH DOVR PDUNV WKH GHEXW RI RXU ´$UWV &XOWXUHµ VHFWLRQ 7KLV VHFWLRQ ZLOO LQFOXGH D ZLGH DUUD\ RI UHYLHZV DV ZHOO DV commentary on modern college culture. :H KRSH \RX HQMR\ WKH FKDQJHV DQG DV DOZD\V ZHOFRPH \RXU FRPSOLPHQWV DQG FULWLFLVPV Nick Cheolas Editor-in-Chief Michigan Review

4 YEARS UNTIL KWAME GETS REELECTED TO A THIRD TERM.

729 DETROIT SCHOOL CHILDREN TO BE %86(' ,1 %< %$01 )25 $ PRE-ELECTION ANTI-MCRI PROTEST.

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THE MICHIGAN REVIEW THE JOURNAL OF CAMPUS AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN NICK CHEOLAS Editor-in-Chief MICHAEL O’BRIEN Executive Editor ADAM PAUL Managing Editor AMANDA NICHOLS Layout Editor ASSISTANT EDITORS: KAREN BOORE, BRIAN BIGLIN ASSITANT TO THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: DWIGHT K. SCHRUTE

STAFF: Michael Balkin, Kelly Cavanaugh, Jenni Chelenyak, Rebecca Christy, Tom Church, Jane Coaston, Blake Emerson, Danny Harris, Ian Kay, Brian McNally, 1DWDOLH 1HZWRQ 'DQLHOOH 3XWQDP Jonny Slemrod, Ryan Sloan, Zack Zucker EDITOR EMERITUS: James David Dickson

The Michigan Review is the independent, studentrun journal of conservative and libertarian opinion at the University of Michigan. We neither solicit nor accept monetary donations from the University. Contributions to The Michigan Review are taxdeductible under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. The Michigan Review is not DIÀOLDWHG ZLWK DQ\ SROLWLFDO SDUW\ RU DQ\ XQLYHUVLW\ political group. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the editorial board. Ergo, they are unequivocally correct and just. Signed articles, letters, and cartoons represent the opinions of the author, and not necessarily those of The Review. The Serpent’s Tooth shall represent the opinion of individual, anonymous contributors to The Review, and should not necessarily be taken as representative of The Review’s editorial stance. The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily those of the advertisers, or of WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 0LFKLJDQ :H ZHOFRPH OHWWHUV DUticles, and comments about the journal. Please address all advertising, subscription inquiries, and donations to “Publisher,” c/o The Michigan Review:

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God and Man at Michigan

9.19.06

short in its relationship to religion, both John D. Rockefeller. World War II largely distracted students 7KH 6&$ ZDV VSHFLÀFDOO\ &KULVWLDQ from the SRA, and it faded quickly in academically and socially. This stands in +( 81,9(56,7< 2) 0,&+,- stark contrast to the tradition of strong LQ RULJLQ ZLWK LWV HDUO\ FKDUWHUV H[SOLFLWO\ WKH SRVW ZDU SHULRG ZKHUH WKH H[SHFWDGAN LV QRW ZLWKRXW D FHUWDLQ UHSX- ERQG EHWZHHQ 0LFKLJDQ DQG UHOLJLRQ ,Q professing an evangelical mission. But WLRQ ZDV WKDW WKH 65$ ZRXOG DGPLQLVWHU tation. Its storied the end, the University spends more time DV LW JUHZ RYHU WKH GHFDGHV WRZDUGV WKH WR VWXGHQWV QRW DOUHDG\ GUDZQ LQ E\ DQ\ history and evolu- placating minority and special interest GDZQ RI WKH WZHQWLHWK FHQWXU\ LW VRXJKW major denomination. tion through al- groups than it does in service to the spiri- to try and encompass larger and larger (YHQWXDOO\ WKH 65$ ZRXOG EH UHPRVW WZR FHQWXULHV WXDO JURZWK RI LWV VWXGHQWV segments of the student population. In RUJDQL]HG LQWR WKH 2IÀFH RI 5HOLJLRXV has yielded many this process, it moderated its Christian $IIDLUV 25$ UHVSRQVLEOH WR WKH 9LFH positive attributes MICHIGAN’S RELIGIOUS HISTORY mission, transforming from a group that President for Student Affairs. The ORA and advances, providing the necessary at- Most students pass by the front facade ministered to students to one that held ad- ZRXOG FRPH WR GHÀQH WKH JHQHUDO VWDQGWULEXWHV WR PDNH 0LFKLJDQ D ZRUOG FODVV of Angell Hall at least once a day, if visory seminars and published a hygienic SRLQW RI WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ WRZDUGV UHOLJLRQ university. in years to come. The not more. But the But in the past half-century or so, inscription atop the 25$ ZRXOG FRQYHQH things have changed. While Michigan building seems a bit panels to study the KDV DOZD\V EHHQ NQRZQ IRU LWV VRPHZKDW peculiar on the Uniissue, but its reports progressive tenor, several decades ago, versity of Michigan’s ZHUH SHUPHDWHG E\ 0LFKLJDQ DQG LWV VXUURXQGLQJ WRZQ $QQ campus, sticking out postmodernist and $UERU LQ WDQGHP ZLWK WKH UHVW RI WKH QD- like a sore thumb multiculturalist senWLRQ WRRN D WXUQ WRZDUGV WKH OHIW VHQGLQJ to some and a beatiments. The ORA the historic trajectory of the university con of light to othregularly reported on off-track. the study of religion ers. The inscription, To this end, the climate of life here gleaned from Article in the curriculum, but RQ FDPSXV WRGD\ LV LQIXVHG ZLWK WKDW SUR- ,,, RI WKH 1RUWKZHVW consistently rejected gressive atmosphere. Commitment to “di- Ordinance, establishing an indereads, versity” is a proving ground for campus “Religion, morality, pendent department leaders, and it is taboo to challenge any DQG NQRZOHGJH EHof religious studies. RI WKH DVVXPSWLRQV RI D ZRPDQ·V ULJKW WR ing necessary to good In the early ‘70s, the FKRRVH WKH ZHOIDUH VWDWH RU DQ\ QXPEHU government and the 25$ ZDV DJDLQ GRZQThe front façade of Angell Hall is a hint at Michigan’s distinctly of other treasured liberal doctrines. VL]HG LQWR WKH 2IÀFH happiness of manreligious history. $ORQJ ZLWK WKHVH FKDQJHV WKHUH KDYH kind, schools and the of Special Services been so many more in regards to the role means of education shall forever be en- manual for incoming freshmen. The SCA DQG 3URJUDPV RI WKH 2IÀFH RI WKH 9LFH of religion on campus. Many students are couraged.” HYHQWXDOO\ ZRXOG H[SDQG DQG HVVHQWLDOO\ President for Student Services. A comXQDZDUH RI WKH ULFK KLVWRU\ WKDW UHOLJLRQ Of course, such a statement is so FROODSVH XQGHU LWV RZQ ZHLJKW ,Q WKH HDUO\ SDQLRQ 2IÀFH RI (WKLFV DQG 5HOLJLRQ ZDV has had in university life. The University peculiar in contemporary life because 1920s, the University assumed control of HVWDEOLVKHG LQ 3URJUDP )LOHV IURP of Michigan and organized religion have it expresses an idea that education is a 1HZEHUU\ DQG /DQH +DOOV DQG WRRN UH- WKH 2(5 VKRZHG DFFRPPRGDWLRQ WR a very special relationship in making UM means to an end: that is, faith, happiness, sponsibility for the activities of the SCA, nearly every religious or ethical cause, a ZKDW LW LV WRGD\ DQG \HW OLWWOH NQRZOHGJH PRUDOLW\ DORQJ ZLWK NQRZOHGJH DQG LWV DV- reforming and renaming the group into curious parallel to the demise of the SCA RI ZKDW WKDW KLVWRU\ PHDQV H[LVWV WRGD\ VRFLDWHG IUXLWV 7R ZKDW GHJUHH WKRXJK the Student Religious Association. DQG 65$ 7KHUH ZDV IRFXV RQ WKH UROH RI ,QGHHG ZKHQ has this idea been excluded in the mod0HDQZKLOH RII FDPSXV JURXSV LQ religion and politics in minority, ethnic, It’s no shock that conversations ern development of the University of FRPSHWLWLRQ ZLWK WKH 6&$ DQG 65$ and foreign communities. Some examabout religion Michigan? sprung up to minister to religious needs. ples include an October 1978 conference the University come up in The Cathocriticizing the relaAt its inception, the founders of UM has overlooked RIÀFLDO FRQOLF 1HZPDQ tionship of religion understood the service of education to that this coming texts, it more WKH YLUWXRXV OLIH 7KH 8QLYHUVLW\ ZDV DF- Center and the and homosexualschool year often involves tually founded by Catholic and Presbyte- -HZLVK +LOOHO ity, a March 1992 celebrates the KRZ VWXGHQWV ULDQ FOHUJ\PHQ ZKR KRSHG WKDW WKH 8QL- chapter rose “Zionism is Apartheid” lecture, and 150th anniversary of faith might YHUVLW\ ZRXOG QRW RQO\ EH KRVSLWDEOH WR into promiadopt less ornence at this a November 1991 religion, but that denominational Schools of organized thodox beliefs point. But the conference in “The of Theology might be established to religious activity to promote complement a Michigan education. Al- assumption of 3& )UDPH 8S µ D on campus. “ t o l e r a n c e ” WKRXJK WKLV ZDV QHYHU DFKLHYHG UHOLJLRQ the SCA into conservative reacof ideas or VWLOO SHUYDGHG VWXGHQW OLIH LQ PDQ\ ZD\V LQ the University, tion to the generally lifestyles that might be anathematic to the University’s early years. and the advent regular occurrence their religious beliefs. Student groups in the nineteenth of the SRA Lane Hall was built as a home for the of the type of forAs the University has drifted fur- century revolved around religion. The marked the PHU WZR HYHQWV Student Christian Association. WKHU OHIWZDUG RYHU WKH SDVW KDOI FHQWXU\ ODUJHVW DQG PRVW LPSRUWDQW ZDV WKH 6WX- end of an era described. The ofreligion has been increasingly pushed GHQW &KULVWLDQ $VVRFLDWLRQ 6&$ ZKLFK WKDW KDG EHHQ IDGLQJ IRU D ZKLOH WKH HUD ÀFHV ZHUH DJDLQ GRZQVL]HG LQ DQG WR WKH PDUJLQV RI VWXGHQW OLIH ZKHUHDV ZDV IRXQGHG LQ WKH PLG V DQG DIÀOL- of traditional Christianity on campus. are staffed part-time, serving as a liaison only 50 years ago, the role of religion in DWHG ZLWK WKH QDWLRQDO < 0 & $ 7KH 6&$ 7KH 65$ ZDV VKRUW OLYHG D NLQG RI to off-campus ministries. Today, religion VWXGHQW OLIH ZDV URXQGO\ FHOHEUDWHG LQ D ZDV RQH RI WKH PRVW SURPLQHQW VWXGHQW WUDQVLWLRQDO VWDJH EHWZHHQ WKH 6&$ DQG plays a relatively miniscule role in Univeryearlong jubilee. The story of religion at organizations, attracting vibrant student World War II. The SRA sponsored sev- sity life. the University of Michigan is not exactly LQYROYHPHQW ,WV IXQFWLRQV ZHUH VR SURP- HUDO ´)UHVKPDQ 5RXQGWDEOHVµ WKDW JDYH UCLA’s annual CIRP survey of inRQH RI KRVWLOLW\ WRZDUGV FRPPXQLWLHV RI LQHQW WKDW DIWHU FRQVWUXFWLQJ 1HZEHUU\ QHZ VWXGHQWV DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ WR GLVFXVV FRPLQJ IUHVKPHQ QDWLRQZLGH SURYLGHV faith by the academe; it is largely a story Hall as its headquarters, the SCA needed religion. It redistributed its budget to re- subsets of data about Michigan’s student of atrophy on the part of students. That to expand several decades later, building OLJLRXV JURXSV WKDW PLJKW QRW RWKHUZLVH UHOLJLRXV SRSXODWLRQ 7KH )DOO GDWD said, the University today largely falls /DQH +DOO ZLWK WKH KHOS RI D JLIW IURP EH DEOH WR IXQG WKHLU RZQ DFWLYLWLHV %XW BY MICHAEL P. O’BRIEN, ‘08

Feature Story

See ‘Religion,’ Page 9

P. 4

Editorials

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

+( 0,&+,*$1 5(9,(: is the independent, student-run journal of conservative and libertarian opinion at the University of Michigan. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Editorial Board. Ergo, they are unequivocally correct and just. Signed articles, letters, and cartoons represent the opinions of the author, and not QHFHVVDULO\ WKRVH RI WKH 5HYLHZ You can contact the Editorial Board at: mrev@umich.edu

ʄ )URP 6XLWH 2QH

9.19.06

Real Change? How far Will the University go in its Pursuit of “Diversity”?

S STUDENTS RETURNED TO CAMPUS THIS YEAR, THEY WERE AMBUSHED WITH A PARTIC-

Ularly virulent and pervasive form of University “diversity.” Tie-die “promote GLYHUVLW\µ VKLUWV MRLQHG IRUFHV ZLWK EOXH ´([SHFW 5HVSHFWµ WR DOHUW QHZ DQG UHWXUQLQJ VWXGHQWV RI WKH 8QLYHUVLW\·V SULRULWLHV (YHQ WKLV \HDU·V RIÀFLDO IRRWEDOO VKLUW VHHPingly omits any football-related information, instead praising “50 states” and “80 FRXQWULHVµ WKDW XQLWH WR IRUP ´RQH YRLFH µ %HIRUH FODVVHV HYHQ EHJDQ VWXGHQWV ZHUH invited to a “Day of Change,” and embarked on a crash-course in social activism, social justice, and diversity. Year by year, the sacred concept of “diversity” has expanded its reach into the OLYHV RI VWXGHQWV )URP VSHFLDO ´PLQRULW\ ORXQJHV µ WR DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ WR WKH recent initiatives enacted by the administration to counter the “harsh” campus cliPDWH WKH QHHG IRU PDQ\ WR DIÀUP DQG UHDIÀUP WKHLU ´FRPPLWPHQW WR GLYHUVLW\µ KDV reached a fever pitch. Make no mistake, the concept of diversity – the state or fact of possessing difference – is certainly valuable and desirable. But the University, though its programs, DFWLRQV DQG LQLWLDWLYHV KDV UHGHÀQHG WKLV FRQFHSW WR WKH SRLQW ZKHUH ´GLYHUVLW\µ LV reduced to variations in skin tones. Minority lounges are not meant for conservatives ² D SROLWLFDO PLQRULW\ $OWHUQDWLYH :HOFRPH :HHN LV QRW PHDQW IRU -HZLVK VWXGHQWV – a religious minority. In recent years, it seems as if the pursuit of a faulty version of diversity has RIWHQ VXSSODQWHG WKH SXUVXLW RI WUXWK DQG NQRZOHGJH DV WKH IRUHPRVW JRDO RI XQLYHUVLWLHV )XUWKHUPRUH WKLV GLVWXUELQJ WUHQG VKRZV QR VLJQV RI DEDWLQJ 7KH SUREOHP LV WKDW GLYHUVLW\ LQ LWV RUJDQLF IRUP LV QRW SXUVXHG IRU LWV RZQ VDNH ,W WDNHV RQ D OLIH RI LWV RZQ $OO\LQJ LWVHOI ZLWK WKH PDQWUD RI ´GLYHUVLW\µ LV WKH RQO\ ZD\ IRU WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ WR SURYH LWV UDFLDO FUHGHQWLDOV 7KH DWPRVSKHUH WR ZKLFK WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ LV VXEMHFW GLFWDWHV WKDW ZH DUH JXLOW\ RQ UDFLDO LVVXHV XQWLO ZH SURYH RXUVHOYHV LQQRFHQW³WKDW LV E\ ZD\ RI PRUH HPSKDVLV RQ DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ WKDQ HYHU greater emphasis on an ideological derivative of tolerance, and an ambiguously-purposed “Expect Respect” campaign. 6R ZKLOH WKH YDOXHV RI GLYHUVLW\ DQG WROHUDQFH DUH ZHOO DQG JRRG GLYHUVLW\ DV FRQVWUXFWHG E\ WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ KDV LURQLFDOO\ VWLÁHG DQ\ WUXH GLYHUVLW\ WKDW PD\ H[LVW on this campus. The problem for the University, though, is that for so many of its students, the monolithic mantras have undercut any credibility for these mandated FDPSDLJQV :KHQHYHU D QHZ LQLWLDWLYH LV FUHDWHG OLNH ´&RQVHQW LV 6H[\µ RU ´([SHFW Respect,” it results in a collective reaction of, “there they go again,” from the student body. The transparency of the University’s motives only result in skipped seminars, DQG OLWWOH LQWHOOHFWXDO HQJDJHPHQW RI LVVXHV WKDW PLJKW RWKHUZLVH SURYH XVHIXO IRU D VWXGHQW ERG\ WKDW LV LQ IDFW TXLWH GLYHUVH LQ PDQ\ ZD\V EH\RQG VNLQ FRORU 7KLV SKHQRPHQRQ ZDV QR PRUH HYLGHQW WKDQ LQ WKH DIWHUPDWK RI ODVW \HDU·V infamous “Asian urination” hate crime – the incident that gave birth to the “Expect 5HVSHFWµ FDPSDLJQ 7KH XSURDU IROORZLQJ WKH DOOHJDWLRQV LPPHGLDWHO\ EURXJKW SUHVVXUH XSRQ DGPLQLVWUDWRUV WR DFW VZLIWO\ WR FKDQJH WKH FDPSXV FOLPDWH NQRZLQJ WKH DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ ZDV QHDUO\ REOLJDWHG WR WDNH VXFK DFWLRQ $Q\ GHOD\ ² WR ZDLW XQWLO WKH IDFWV RI WKH FDVH ZHUH HVWDEOLVKHG ² ZRXOG KDYH EHHQ VHHQ DV WKH 8QLYHUVLW\·V DEDQdonment of minority students. :KHQ WKH IDFWV GLG HPHUJH DORQJ ZLWK VHULRXV TXHVWLRQV DERXW WKH FUHGLELOLW\ RI WKH ´YLFWLPVµ DQG WKHLU DFFRXQW RI HYHQWV WKRVH IDFWV ZHUH LJQRUHG 7R UHYLHZ WKHP ZRXOG KDYH EHHQ VHHQ DV ´EODPLQJ WKH YLFWLP µ DQG ZRXOG KDYH FDOOHG WKH 8QLYHUVLW\·V commitment to diversity into question. $QG VR ZH HQWHU DQRWKHU \HDU DW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 0LFKLJDQ :H FDQ RQO\ FRXQW the days until student groups criticize the University for failing to protect minority students, and for betraying their commitment to diversity. This, of course, is the VDPH 8QLYHUVLW\ WKDW ERDVWV D YDVW DUUD\ RI PXOWLFXOWXUDO RIÀFHV DQG LQLWLDWLYHV DQG has spent millions of dollars to defend admissions policies that grant preferences to minority students. We can also count the days until the annual boycott of the Michigan Daily, precipitated by something as egregious as making a legitimate point in regard to a UDFLDOO\ VHQVLWLYH LVVXH ´'LYHUVLW\ FRPPLWWHHVµ ZLOO VSULQJ XS PHHWLQJV ZLOO EH KHOG DQG LQ WKH HQG OLWWOH ZLOO EH DFFRPSOLVKHG 2I FRXUVH RQH ZRXOG EH KDUG SUHVVHG WR DUJXH WKDW WKHVH LQVWLWXWLRQV KDYH QRW UHSHDWHGO\ SURYHQ WKHLU FRPPLWPHQW WR GLYHUVLW\ 2QH ZRQGHUV KRZ PXFK PRUH FDQ EH GRQH WR UHDIÀUP WKLV FRPPLWPHQW" But in the era of diversity, more is never enough. MR

MR Back to the Bubble

ELCOME BACK TO CAMPUS. WE’RE GLAD TO BE HERE, TOO…WELL, SORTA.

)RU WKRVH RI \RX OXFN\ HQRXJK WR HVFDSH $QQ $UERU DQG WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ for the summer, coming back to school may represent a bit of a paradigm shift. As if LW LV DQ\ VKRFN WKLV VHUHQH OLWWOH FROOHJH WRZQ LV WKH SHUIHFW VKLHOG IURP WKH UHDO ZRUOG :LWK WKH VWDUW RI HDFK QHZ WHUP WKH LYRU\ WRZHU WKDW JXLOGV WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ HQVFRQFHV the entire city. Given that, it is no shock that many of us are so relieved to be back on campus. Ann Arbor and the University community have a lot of unique perks that make it a tremendous environment for school. The integration of Ann Arbor and the 8QLYHUVLW\ DOORZ VWXGHQWV WR DWWHQG HQWHUWDLQPHQW DQG FXOWXUDO HYHQWV VSRQVRUHG QRW RQO\ E\ WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ EXW IURP WKH ORFDO VFHQH DV ZHOO %XW LW LV ZRUWK UHPHPEHULQJ WKH HWKHU WKDW FRXUVHV WKURXJK WKH YHLQV RI WKLV FRPPXQLW\ SHUYHUWLQJ ZKDW FRXOG RWKHUZLVH EH D KRPHO\ TXDLQW FRPPXQLW\ 2XUV LV D FRPPXQLW\ ZKHUH OLEHUDO DFWLYLVWV SXUVXH D JUHHQEHOW DV WKHLU FDXVH GX MRXU UHDVRQLQJ WKDW WKHUH QHHGV WR EH D OLPLW RQ WKH FLW\·V JURZWK DQG VSUDZO :LWK the passage of the greenbelt in 2003, Ann Arbor bought land in and around the city IRU WKH SXUSRVH RI VDYLQJ RSHQ VSDFH DQG FRQWDLQLQJ XUEDQ VSUDZO $QG \HW ZKHQ a developer tries to build a sizeable apartment complex in the city’s center (thereby KHOSLQJ WR DOOHYLDWH XUEDQ VSUDZO DFWLYLVWV DQG FLW\ FRXQFLO PDNHV WKH HIIRUWV VR GLIÀFXOW WKDW WKH GHYHORSHU SXOOV RXW 7KLV LV RQO\ RQH RI WKH PDQ\ GLFKRWRPLHV WKDW dominate life in Ann Arbor. $V WKH MRNH JRHV LQ RXU RIÀFH DIWHU VSHQGLQJ VXEVWDQWLDO WLPH KHUH LQ $QQ $UERU D WUDQVJHQGHUHG FORZQ FRXOG KRS GRZQ 6WDWH 6WUHHW RQ D SRJR VWUHHW DQG LW ZRXOG QRW HYHQ FDXVH RQH WR WXUQ WKHLU KHDG 6XFK LV WKH HQYLURQPHQW LQ ZKLFK ZH OLYH :KLOH OLIH LQ $QQ $UERU PDNHV VWXGHQWV PRUH DFFHSWLQJ RI OLIHVW\OHV XQOLNH WKHLU RZQ VWXGHQWV FRPH WR FHQVXUH WKHLU RZQ HYDOXDWLRQV 7KH HPSKDVLV RQ ´DFFHSWDQFHµ FDQ VWLÁH honest discussion as students learn to favor silence over the possibility of offensiveQHVV 6WXGHQWV EHOLHYH WKH\ NQRZ KRZ HYHU\RQH HOVH VKRXOG IHHO DERXW D FRPPHQW RU action. What is important for students, returning for another year, is to stay grounded DQG NHHS WKLQJV LQ FRQWH[W 3ROLWLFV DQG SHUFHSWLRQ GR QRW ZRUN WKH VDPH ZD\ KHUH DV WKH\ GR LQ QRUPDO WRZQV :KLOH WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ DGYRFDWHV GLYHUVLW\ ZLWK XQUHOHQWLQJ ambition, intellectual diversity holds the least importance. While the Michigan Student Assembly has a variety of long-standing commissions such as Women’s Affairs DQG 0LQRULW\ $IIDLUV D 'LYHUVLW\ RI 7KRXJKW FRPPLVVLRQ ZDV RQO\ HVWDEOLVKHG ODVW \HDU )XUWKHUPRUH DV RI WKLV ZULWLQJ WKH 'LYHUVLW\ RI 7KRXJKW FRPPLVVLRQ GRHV QRW HYHQ KDYH D OLVWLQJ RQ 06$·V ZHEVLWH 1RW WR PHQWLRQ LI WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ KHOG HGXFDWLRQ DV LWV SULPDU\ JRDO ZRXOG LW DVVLJQ WKH SURPRWLRQ RI WKDW JRDO WR DQ 06$ FRPmission? The more important lesson here, though, is that such commissions even H[LVW 2QO\ DW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 0LFKLJDQ ZRXOG WKHUH EH D SHUFHSWLRQ WKDW QRW RQO\ VXFK FRPPLVVLRQV DUH RYHUZKHOPLQJO\ QHFHVVDU\ EXW VKRXOG DOVR SOD\ DQ LPSRUWDQW role in deciding University policies. 7KH 0LFKLJDQ 5HYLHZ FKHULVKHV LWV UROH DV D YRLFH RI QRW RQO\ FRQVHUYDWLVP EXW DOVR UDWLRQDOLW\ LQ D SODFH ZKHUH UDWLRQDOLW\ PLJKW QRW RWKHUZLVH SUHYDLO ,Q RWKHU FLWLHV DQG WRZQV WKDW WUHQG IXUWKHU OHIWZDUG WKDQ WKH 'HPRFUDWLF 3DUW\ DW OHDVW VRPH VHPEODQFH RI FRQVLVWHQF\ RU UDWLRQDOLW\ SUHYDLO %XW ZH VKRXOG EH VR OXFN\ WR KDYH rationality in Ann Arbor. 6R GR QRW ZDGH WRR KHDYLO\ LQWR WKLV HQYLURQPHQW *HW RXW DQG VHH WKH ZRUOG EH\RQG $QQ $UERU ZKHUH SROLWLFDO SUHWHQVLRQV GR QRW GRPLQDWH DOPRVW HYHU\ DVSHFW of daily life. Contrary to the mentality too many of us adopt upon setting foot on FDPSXV UHDOLW\ GRHV VWLOO RFFXU DQG SURJUHVV ZKLOH ZH DUH KHUH .HHSLQJ WKDW LQ PLQG LV D JRRG VWDUW WR NHHSLQJ \RXU VDQLW\ RYHU WKH QH[W IHZ \HDUV MR

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9.19.06

ʄ 6WULFW 6FUXWLQ\

ARLIER THIS WEEK,

Barriers and Educational Choices

HARVARD SURPRISED UNIVERSITIES QDWLRQZLGH E\ UHYLVLQJ LWV DGPLVVLRQV SROLcies by ending its early admissions program (although legacy policies still remain). Interim Harvard President 'HUHN %RN H[SODLQHG WKDW WKH FKDQJH ZLOO ´SURGXFH D fairer process, because the existLQJ SURFHVV KDV EHHQ VKRZQ WR DGYDQWDJH WKRVH ZKR DUH DOUHDG\ advantaged.” Harvard claims that early admissions programs hurt stuGHQWV ZLWK OLPLWHG ÀQDQFLDO UHsources because many programs force students to commit to an institution before receiving inIRUPDWLRQ UHJDUGLQJ ÀQDQFLDO ADAM aid. The Harvard program, PAUL KRZHYHU UHTXLUHG QR FRPPLWment to matriculate. Essentially, +DUYDUG WHUPLQDWHG LWV RZQ SURJUDP WKDW GLGQ·W UHTXLUH a binding commitment in the hope that other schools ZLOO HQG SURJUDPV WKDW +DUYDUG QRZ ÀQGV REMHFWLRQable. Harvard’s reasoning displays a disturbing trend in HGXFDWLRQ ZKHUH DGYRFDWHV RI DFFHVV WR HGXFDWLRQ KDYH FHDVHG WR GLIIHUHQWLDWH EHWZHHQ OHJLWLPDWH EDUULHUV DQG V\VWHPV WKDW SUHVHQW VWXGHQWV ZLWK FKDOOHQJLQJ FKRLFHV )RU \HDUV WKH SDWK WR KLJKHU HGXFDWLRQ ZDV REstructed by numerous barriers. Racist and sexist policies actively excluded numerous individuals for pursuing a GHJUHH +RZHYHU FXUUHQW HDUO\ DGPLVVLRQV SURJUDPV³

even those requiring a binding commitment—are not exclusionary. These programs present prospective stuGHQWV ZLWK GLIÀFXOW FKRLFHV EXW GR QRW DFW DV DFWXDO EDUriers to higher education. 0DQ\ VWXGHQWV PD\ QRW NQRZ HDUO\ LQ WKHLU VHQLRU year of high school if they may be able to afford tuition at a school like Harvard; they enter into early admissions ZLWK WKLV LQ PLQG 6WXGHQWV DUH IRUFHG WR PDNH D WRXJK FKRLFH LV WKHLU GUHDP RI JRLQJ WR D VSHFLÀF LQVWLWXWLRQ ZRUWK WKH ULVN RI QHHGLQJ WR ORRN IRU RXWVLGH VFKRODUships and aid if their institution doesn’t provide the UHTXLUHG IXQGV" :KLOH ÀQDQFLDO VROYHQF\ LV D FRQFHUQ colleges are by no means the only source of scholarships, as a myriad of corporations, educational trusts, and charitable funds provide money. Early admission policies have also been criticized EHFDXVH WKH\ WHQG WR FUHDWH WZR VHSDUDWH DSSOLFDQW SRROV %HFDXVH WKRVH VWXGHQWV ZKR DSSO\ XQGHU HDUO\ DGPLVVLRQV RIWHQ SURYLGH DQ H[WUD EHQHÀW WR XQLYHUVLWLHV E\ promising to attend if accepted, it is sensible that adPLQLVWUDWRUV PD\ ZDQW WR SXW WKHP LQ D VHSDUDWH SRRO 6WXGHQWV NQRZLQJO\ WUDGH DZD\ WKH RSWLRQ WR SLFN EHWZHHQ VHYHUDO VFKRROV LQ H[FKDQJH IRU D EHWWHU FKDQFH RI JHWWLQJ LQWR WKH LQVWLWXWLRQ WKH\ PRVW ZDQW WR DWWHQG 2EYLRXVO\ WKRVH ZKRVH SDUHQWV FDQ FRYHU DOO WKH costs of a four-year education face less of a daunting GHFLVLRQ WKDQ WKRVH ZKR PXVW VHHN ÀQDQFLDO DLG %XW this is not to say that this decision has become a “barrier” to higher education. The call of critics to equalize the pressure on all students in applying to college

holds that colleges should be responsible for calculating and accounting for each and every factor in a student’s background that exert pressure on an applicant. This puts universities – especially large ones – in an impossible position. A similar attempt to mandate “fairness” occurred ULJKW KHUH LQ $QQ $UERU ZKHQ WKH FLW\ SDVVHG DQ RUdinance attempting to end the early fall housing rush. %XW VKRXOGQ·W VWXGHQWV ZKR ORRN IRU UHQWDO VSDFH HDUO\ EH UHZDUGHG" 2I FRXUVH HYHU\ERG\ ZDQWV D KRXVH WZR EORFNV IURP FDPSXV ZLWK DPSOH SDUNLQJ IRU DQG a large porch. But there is a limited supply, and great demand. Rather than searching for housing, students FRPSODLQ ZKHQ WKH\ FDQQRW ÀQG WKH KRXVH WKH\ ZDQWHG LQ 'HFHPEHU /LNH ZLWK DGPLVVLRQV WKRVH WKDW EHJLQ WR search later still have a chance, they might just not get the perfect campus house/apartment/shoebox. NeiWKHU VWXGHQWV ZKR DSSO\ XQGHU UHJXODU DGPLVVLRQV QRU late housing seekers are barred because others got there ÀUVW ,W LV WLPH WR UHH[DPLQH ZKDW TXDOLÀHV DV DQ DWWHPSW to “bar” students from campuses. Claiming that everyWKLQJ WKDW LQÁXHQFHV D GHFLVLRQ IURP ÀQDQFLDO GLIÀFXOW\ to not having enough time to decide, deafens people WRZDUG OHJLWLPDWH JULHYDQFHV 6WXGHQWV QHHG WR VWDUW WDNLQJ UHVSRQVLELOLW\ IRU WKHLU RZQ FKRLFHV RU ZKR NQRZV PD\EH QH[W XQLYHUVLWLHV ZLOO EH FDOOHG XSRQ WR HOLPLQDWH admissions altogether, because obviously admissions are D ´EDUULHUµ WR WKRVH ZKR GRQ·W DSSO\ DW DOO MR

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HE CLOCK HAS BEEN TICKING DQG À-

nally, time is up. That’s right; I’m talking about the College Republicans 1DWLRQDO &RPPLWWHH·V &51& HOLWH QHZ bounty-hunting task force: the University of Michigan College Republicans (CRs). As The Michigan Daily ÀUVW UHSRUWHG RQ September 12, RXU RZQ &5V ZLOO VRRQ EH ZUDQJOLQJ LOlegal immigrants in exchange for AMANDA prizes—W acNICHOLS WLRQ ÀJXUHV presumably (or at least I hope). As a College Republican and, more importantly, as a patriotic American, I am personally thrilled. It’s DERXW WLPH ZH JRW WKLV LVVXH LQWR WKH SXElic consciousness, because it has become totally out of control. Yes, that’s right—I said it, and it’s about time somebody did. , WKLQN PDQ\ RI \RX NQRZ WKRVH ,·P talking about. They talk funny, they look funny—heck, sometimes, they even smell funny. If you’ve been surprised by a sudGHQ ZKLII RI VDS DQG SLQH WUHHV DQG PDSOH V\UXS LQ $QJHOO +DOO \RX NQRZ ZKDW ,·P

talking about. They cross our borders ZLWKRXW OLPLWDWLRQV RU HYHQ SDVVSRUWV EULQJLQJ WKHLU XQUHÀQHG FXOWXUH DQG JDUEDJH ZLWK WKHP DQG OHDYLQJ LW KHUH E\ WKH WUXFNORDG (YHQ ZKHQ WKH\·YH OHIW³ moved onto greener pastures, or maybe a VWDWH ZLWK D KLJKHU HPSOR\PHQW UDWH³WKH junky customs and trash remain. I think \RX NQRZ ZKDW ,·P WDONLQJ DERXW <HV I’m talking about the Canadians, and it’s time for them to get the hell out. 1RZ , NQRZ PDQ\ VWXGHQWV DUH IURP RXW RI VWDWH RU OLYH LQ ORZHU ULVN DUHDV RI Michigan, and may not fully understand this issue. As a lifelong resident of Metro Detroit, let me tell you: the immigration issue in this area is absolutely out of control. It’s nuts. Try going across the bridge to Windsor sometime, maybe to play the slots at the casino or to have a not-sounderage drink at one of their lovely establishments. You’ll see them coming over by the truckload, safely buckled in the backseats of Suburbans and Chevy Malibus. Ann Arbor is also a particularly D EDG SODFH LW·V VLPSO\ WHHPLQJ ZLWK WKHVH illegals. It’s most like their homeland, \RX VHH³RSHQ OLEHUDO ZRRGHG³DQG VR WKH\ ÁRFN KHUH E\ WKH WHQV³QD\ E\ WKH dozens. Ann Arbor even has a sister city in Canada—Peterborough, Ontario; as if they needed more encouragement to

come here. In fact, I can’t traverse South 8QLYHUVLW\ ZLWKRXW FUXVKLQJ DW OHDVW ÀYH VHWV RI &DQDGLDQ WRHV ZLWK WKH ELNH WLUHV of my purple Huffy. You might not realL]H LW EXW WKH\·UH HYHU\ZKHUH³RUGHULQJ D 0ROVRQ QH[W WR \RX DW WKH %URZQ -XJ ZDONLQJ DURXQG LQ 'HFHPEHU LQ D W VKLUW and jeans—hell, they even let one teach Shakespeare here! And, to make matters ZRUVH ZH KDYH D &DQXFN IRU RXU JRYHUnor! <HDK \HDK , NQRZ³´WKH\·UH QRW DOO LOOHJDO µ \RX VD\ $QG , DGPLW RXU RZQ -HQQ\ IURP WKH %ORFN ZLWK D PROH WKH size of a large rock is probably a citizen. 0D\EH %XW VWLOO³ZKHUH GR WKH\ JHW RII FRPLQJ KHUH DZD\ IURP WKHLU ODQG RI IUHH KHDOWK FDUH DQG KRFNH\ DQG WKURZLQJ around nonsensical, and possibly non(QJOLVK ZRUGV OLNH ´HKµ DQG ´D·ERRWµ" Do they really think they can pass for <RRSHUV" 'R WKH\ WKLQN ZH GRQ·W QRWLFH the sudden increase in graciousness and SROLWHQHVV DURXQG KHUH" :HOO ZH KDYH DQG ZH GR , IRU RQH FDQ VWDQG IRU LW no longer. 7KDW P\ IULHQGV LV ZK\ , DP VR JODG &51& ÀHOG UHSUHVHQWDWLYH 0RUJDQ :LONLQV JUDFHG RXU JUHDW FDPSXV ZLWK her presence. Without the brilliant and articulate pronouncements of this Southern Belle—let me give her all the credit,

because she’s certainly earned it—this issue may have never come into the public FRQVFLRXVQHVV 1RZ LW KDV DQG WKLQJV FDQ ÀQDOO\ FKDQJH , EHOLHYH 0RUJDQ IXOO\ understands our plight. After all, as a student at Jefferson County Community College in Kentucky, I am sure she frequently encountered the same issues that ZH 0LFKLJDQGHUV HQFRXQWHU HYHU\ GD\ , FDQ RQO\ LPDJLQH KRZ WKH LOOHJDO LPPLgrants overrun that campus as they do our entire state. So thank you, dear MorJDQ IRU VSHDNLQJ XS³ZH DOO RZH \RX RXU deepest gratitude. 6R &DQDGLDQV WKLV LV P\ ZDUQLQJ WR \RX OHDYH QRZ RU ZH VKDOO ÀQG \RX 1D\ , VKDOO ÀQG \RX P\VHOI³, ZLOO VWHS IURP my cluttered desk in the Review RIÀFH DQG search the streets, bars, and even ice rinks for every last one of you. If I must, I ZLOO HYHQ JR WR -RH /RXLV $UHQD ZKHUH , NQRZ PDQ\ RI \RX VHFUHWO\ GZHOO .QRZ this: I shall not rest until, at long last, the maple leaf-shaped pox is lifted from this ODQG DQG ZKHQ DW ODVW LW LV ZH ZLOO RZH LW to Morgan. MR

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1HZV

Spellings Commision Considers Future of Higher Ed Secretary of Education Convenes Commission Including former U-M President James Duderstadt BY JENNI CHELENYAK, ‘10

,*+(5 ('8&$7,21 5()250 is a hot topic. Even if students do not care, there are plenty of things they ZRXOG OLNH WR FKDQJH DERXW WKHLU HGXFDtional experience. US Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings recently convened a special commission devoted to studying the future of higher education. The commission is currently tackling various HGXFDWLRQDO UHIRUPV DOO RI ZKLFK FRXOG greatly impact the University of Michigan and its students if implemented. The latHVW UHSRUW DOWKRXJK VLJQLÀFDQWO\ OHVV DJgressive than previous versions, further promotes the committee’s goals. 2QH RI WKH ÀUVW JRDOV WKH FRPPLWWHH PHQWLRQV ZRXOG SURYLGH HTXDO DFFHVV to higher education. The Spellings Commission believes that, despite barriers, all children deserve a chance at higher education. Similarly, the commission plans to PRGLI\ WKH ÀQDQFLDO DLG V\VWHP ,W ZRXOG PDNH ÀQDQFLDO DLG PRQH\ PRUH HDVLO\ available to students—a crucial aspect due to recent increases in tuition at the university. Additionally, the commission cites DFFRXQWDELOLW\ DV RQH RI LWV JRDOV )RU H[DPSOH LQVWLWXWLRQV ZLOO QHHG WR VWDWH WKH goals of their curriculums, and then proYLGH HYLGHQFH WR VKRZ WKDW WKH\ KDYH PHW

WKHVH DPELWLRQV +RZHYHU 8 0 3URIHVVRU : 5XVVHOO 1HXPDQ ZKR WHDFKHV a class on the “Academic Paradox” of higher education, believes that it is a “difÀFXOW LVVXH RI GHYHORSLQJ DQG WHVWLQJ« the ‘value added’ of higher education,” especially in regards to such “phenomena as ‘critical thinking skills.’” Neuman DUJXHV WKDW LW LV KDUG WR GHÀQH ZKDW KDV EHHQ OHDUQHG PDNLQJ SURJUHVV GLIÀFXOW WR measure. The commission echoed the belief WKDW OHDUQLQJ VKRXOG QRW VWRS ZLWK WKH end of formal education; rather it is a OLIHORQJ SURFHVV 7KH FRPPLVVLRQ ZLVKHV to develop a “national strategy for lifeORQJ OHDUQLQJ µ D ZD\ WR HQVXUH FLWL]HQV the opportunity for education, learning DQG WUDLQLQJ QR PDWWHU ZKDW WKHLU DJH The commission claims that today’s employees “understand that in the turbuOHQW ZRUOG RI D NQRZOHGJH HFRQRP\« HPSOR\HHV DUH RQO\ RQH SD\FKHFN DZD\ from the unemployment line unless they FRPPLW«WR DGDSW WR HYHU FKDQJLQJ ZRUN requirements.” A strategy rooted in lifeORQJ OHDUQLQJ ZRXOG HQVXUH WKDW RQFH D JUDGXDWH ZDONV DZD\ ZLWK D 8 0 GHJUHH KH ZLOO EH DGHTXDWHO\ SUHSDUHG IRU WKH UHVW RI KLV FDUHHU DQG QRW EH RYHUVKDGRZHG by younger colleagues. President Emeritus James Duderstadt, professor of Science and Engi-

‘MCRI,’ from Page 1 that he deemed in violation of Prop. 209, and asked that the state legislature repeal or amend them. While this much is agreed upon, the obvious quesWLRQ LV ZKDW KDSSHQHG WR WKHVH SURJUDPV" :H GRQ·W NQRZ EHFDXVH .DXIPDQQ QHYHU JHWV WKDW IDU 6KH RQO\ DUJXHV WKDW FHUWDLQ SURJUDPV ZHUH RQ WKH OLVW 6KH GRHV QRW LQGLFDWH ZKHWKHU HDFK SURJUDP ZDV HQGHG DPHQG-

Kaufmann cites the Early Academic Outreach Program as a program that was “targeted for elimination” in California. Today, the EAOP considers itself “one of the state’s most successful pre-collegiate student academic programs,” and serves more than 80,000 students at 542 schools. ed, or expanded. She doesn’t even list the names of the VSHFLÀF SURJUDPV WDUJHWHG E\ :LOVRQ ,I VKH ZRXOG KDYH WKH UHDGHU ZRXOG KDYH VHHQ D IDU GLIIHUHQW VWRU\ )RU H[DPSOH .DXIPDQQ FLWHV WKH Early Academic Outreach Program as evidence of the elimination of “pre college outreach and preparation for ORZ LQFRPH DQG PLQRULW\ VWXGHQWV µ +HU IRRWQRWH KRZever, reveals that instead of targeting underrepresented PLQRULWLHV WKH SURJUDP QRZ WDUJHWV ´XQGHU UHVRXUFHG FRPPXQLWLHV µ ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV WKH SURJUDP XQGHUZHQW D semantic change. Today, the EAOP considers itself “one

neering, is a key member of the Spellings Commission. “If implemented, these UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV ZRXOG QRW RQO\ LPprove the quality of education and the ÀQDQFLDO VXSSRUW SURYLGHG WR 0LFKLJDQ VWXGHQWV EXW WKH\ ZRXOG DOVR HQKDQFH their preparation for college and meet their lifelong needs for further post-secondary education,” said Duderstadt. The Spellings Commission faces allegations that the recent report has been ZDWHUHG GRZQ LQ FRPSDULVRQ WR LWV RULJLnal counterpart. Duderstadt responded, “The original draft had really nothing WR GR ZLWK WKH FRPPLVVLRQ«,W ZDV SUHSDUHG E\ FRQVXOWDQWV ZLWKRXW DQ\ LQSXW from the commissioners.” In contrast, Neuman remarks “Commission Chair Charlie Miller tried out a number of ideas from his experience…and appropriately GURSSHG RU PRGLÀHG WKRVH LGHDV ZKLFK proved to be too controversial…A consensus report by its nature is a calculated compromise.” If these recommendations are implePHQWHG PDQ\ ZRQGHU ZKDW PXVW FKDQJH at the local level—in this case, at U-M itself. According to Duderstadt, “Lots of things.” He cites “more attention given to helping K-12 produce graduates ready IRU FROOHJH OHYHO ZRUN µ DV ZHOO DV ´PRUH VWUHVV RQ QHHG EDVHG ÀQDQFLDO DLGµ³D topic close to the heart of many Michi-

of the state’s most successful pre-collegiate student academic programs,” and it serves more than 80,000 students at 542 schools. Kaufmann also laments the demise of “a program helping paraprofessional teachers become fully licensed WHDFKHUV ZLWK DQ HPSKDVLV RQ WUDLQLQJ PLQRULWLHV µ Again, the footnote reveals a similar semantic change. Today, the California School Paraprofessional Teacher Training Program has expanded to serve 1,800 members; 70% are ethnic minorities. .DXIPDQQ WKHQ FLWHV ´DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ LQ SXEOLF contracting” as a victim of Proposition 209, arguing that pre-existing programs “simply required prime contractors either to make good faith efforts to meet goals for VXEFRQWUDFWLQJ WR ZRPHQ RU PLQRULW\ RZQHG EXVLQHVVHV or to demonstrate that they had made outreach efforts to notify those businesses of bidding opportunities.” 7KHVH PHUH ´JRDOV µ KRZHYHU ZHUH GHÀQHG E\ VSHFLÀF SHUFHQWDJHV IRU PLQRULW\ EXVLQHVVHV IRU ZRPHQ ZKLFK &DOLIRUQLD &RXUWV UXOHG WR EH GLIIHUHQW IURP TXRWDV ´RQO\ LQ GHJUHH µ 1RU ZHUH WKH ´RXWUHDFKµ efforts benign. “The outreach component requires conWUDFWRUV WR WUHDW 0LQRULW\ 2ZQHG (QWHUSULVHV :RPHQ 2ZQHG (QWHUSULVH VXEFRQWUDFWRUV PRUH DGYDQWDJHRXVO\ E\ SURYLGLQJ WKHP ZLWK QRWLFH RI ELGGLQJ RSSRUWXQLties, soliciting their participation, and negotiating for WKHLU VHUYLFHV QRQH RI ZKLFK WKH\ PXVW GRµ IRU RWKHU EXVLQHVVHV 7KHVH UHTXLUHPHQWV ZHUH LPSRVHG RQ VWDWH FRQWUDFWRUV DQG VWDWH DJHQFLHV ZHUH UHTXLUHG WR DELGH E\ WKHP DQG ZHUH KHOG DFFRXQWDEOH IRU WKHLU VXFFHVV 7KHVH SURJUDPV ZHUH IDU IURP VLPSOH ´JRDOVµ DQG ´RXWUHDFKµ HIIRUWV 7KH\ ZHUH PDQGDWHG SUHIHUHQFH SROLFLHV DQG

gan students. Among other things, he also recommends “challenging the faculty WR PRUH FDUHIXOO\ GHÀQH WKH REMHFWLYHV RI each academic program and then provide HYLGHQFH EDVHG PHDVXUHV RI KRZ ZHOO students are achieving these objectives.” Duderstadt also endorses the commission’s ideals of lifelong learning, innovation and competing in a global economy, but alludes that something must be done to promote these principles at the University of Michigan itself, not just nationally. Neuman, on the other hand, seems skeptical. “Usually nothing much comes RI WKHVH UHSRUWV ZKLFK HQG XS LQ ÀOLQJ cabinets and on book shelves.” In his YLHZ LI WKH UHSRUW GRHV KDYH DQ LPSDFW ´FXUUHQW VWXGHQWV DW 8 0 ZLOO EH LQ JUDG VFKRRO RU LQ WKH ZRUNSODFHµ E\ WKH WLPH any changes occur. The Spellings Commission’s proposals could lead to a brighter future for higher education. University of Michigan VWXGHQWV PD\ UHFHLYH VWURQJHU ÀQDQFLDO DLG DQG D PRUH UHZDUGLQJ FROOHJH H[SHrience. On the other hand, the reports FRXOG OHDG WR QRZKHUH RWKHU WKDQ DQ LVRODWHG IRUJRWWHQ VWRUDJH DUHD )RU QRZ VWXGHQWV ZLOO VLPSO\ KDYH WR ZDLW DQG VHH if the commission’s ideas are acceptedDQG KRZ WKH DGPLQLVWUDWLRQ ZLOO UHDFW LI they are. MR

quotas. Kaufmann then attempts to detail the “dramatic” decrease in minority and female representation in employment, education, and contracting. These scare tacWLFV KDYH PDGH WKHLU ZD\ WR 0LFKLJDQ DV 0&5, RSSRnents predict precipitous declines in minority and female representation across the board. 0DQ\ ZKR SUHGLFW WKHVH GUDPDWLF GHFOLQHV DUH RIWHQ WKRVH ZKR GHFODUH WKDW UDFH LV ´RQH RI PDQ\ IDFWRUVµ XVHG LQ WKH GHFLVLRQ PDNLQJ SURFHVV DQG QRW D GHÀQLQJ IDFWRU ´<HV ZH FRQVLGHU UDFH LQ FKRRVLQJ RXU HQWHULQJ FODVV HDFK \HDU DQG ZH FRQVLGHU D KRVW RI RWKHU IDFWRUV DV ZHOO 2XU SROLFLHV DUH PRGHUDWH IDLU DQG FDUHIXOO\ considered…” University of Michigan President Mary 6XH &ROHPDQ GHFODUHG LQ +RZHYHU WKRVH ZKR claim race and gender are but small considerations often FRQWHQG WKDW WKH 0&5, ZRXOG GUDVWLFDOO\ KXUW PLQRULW\ DQG IHPDOH UHSUHVHQWDWLRQ ,I DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ SURvides only a small boost, then the removal of that boost VKRXOG KDYH D SURSRUWLRQDOO\ VPDOO HIIHFW 7KHUH ZLOO EH QR ´GUDPDWLFµ GHFOLQHV XQOHVV WKHUH ZHUH ´GUDPDWLFµ SUHIHUHQFHV WR EHJLQ ZLWK A look at Kaufmann’s statistics reveals more distortion. In the UC system, she alleges, “Hiring of AfriFDQ $PHULFDQ IDFXOW\ KDV VKRZQ WKH ODUJHVW GHFUHDVHV ZLWK DQ RYHUDOO GHFOLQH RI EHWZHHQ DQG µ /RRNLQJ DW KHU FLWDWLRQ KRZHYHU LW DSSHDUV that Kaufmann arrived at this “decline of 14%” by comSDULQJ $IULFDQ $PHULFDQ IDFXOW\ WRWDOV IURP ÀYH \HDUV before Proposition 209 (1991-1995) to four years

See ‘MCRI,” Page 8

P. 7

9.19.06

1HZV

Annual Tution Increase 5DLVHV 5HJHQW·V Concern

be a good time to do so. A 2005 study by Commonfund, an organization that KLOH PDQ\ VWXGHQWV ZHUH DZD\ IRU PDQDJHV HGXFDWLRQDO HQGRZPHQWV LQ WKH the summer, the Board of Regents US and Canada, indicated greater than WRRN SDUW LQ ZKDW LV IDVW EHFRPLQJ DQ DQ- H[SHFWHG JURZWK LQ HGXFDWLRQDO HQGRZnual event. The Regents voted to approve ments. a tuition increase for all undergradu:KLOH WKH LQFUHDVH LQ WXLWLRQ ZLOO ates at the University of Michigan. The surely make students cringe, it is likely FRVW LQFUHDVH ZKLOH to have the greatORZHU WKDQ LQ \HDUV est impact on those past, still outpaces students already LQÁDWLRQ DQG WKLV VWUDSSHG IRU ÀQDQhas caused stress for cial resources. These many students and students may face a one regent. tougher time due to According to the increased prices. WKH 2IÀFH RI )LWhile costs connancial Aid, the tinue to increase, the increases set the 2IÀFH RI )LQDQFLDO undergraduate cost Aid makes perpetual of tuition to $9,724 adjustments to help for underclassmen ZLWK WKH EXUGHQ and $10,992 for upMargaret Rodriguez, perclassmen. These the Senior Associrates, of course, ate Director for the only apply if you 2IÀFH RI )LQDQFLDO are from Michigan; Aid, said she reWKRVH ZKR UHVLGH RXW mains committed to of state pay $29,132 Despite their frequency, tuition “a diverse student and $31,178 respec- increases at Michigan have lagged body.” Rodriguez behind other Big Ten schools. tively based on class further explained standing. that to match tuition Only one board member of the Re- LQFUHDVHV ´FHQWUDOO\ EXGJHWHG ÀQDQFLDO DLG JHQWV $QGUHD )LVFKHU 1HZPDQ YRWHG is increased by the same rate or greater.” against the tuition increase. In a letter to Due to federal cuts to education The Grand Rapids Press 1HZPDQ ZURWH IXQGLQJ ÀQDQFLDO DLG KDV WR LQFUHDVH “We’re pricing future generations out of UHOLDQFH RQ ´LQVWLWXWLRQDO DQG HQGRZHG KLJKHU HGXFDWLRQ :H DSRORJL]H IRU LW ZH funds.” While unlikely to happen soon, PDNH H[FXVHV IRU LW EXW ZH NHHS UDLVLQJ Rodriguez said, “increased and/or level tuition.” She stated that even though tu- funding from the federal government LWLRQ LQFUHDVHV PD\ EH ORZHU RQ D \HDU ZRXOG KHOS XV WR IXUWKHU HQKDQFH RXU DLG by-year level than other institutions, the packages.” high-base tuition rate means that even 5HJHQW 1HZPDQ·V FDOOV IRU DQ HQsmall increases create prohibitive costs GRZPHQW IRU WXLWLRQ KDYH DOUHDG\ EHHQ for many potential students. XVHG E\ WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ LQ VRPH ZD\V VXFK 1HZPDQ DGYRFDWHV WKH FUHDWLRQ RI DV HQGRZPHQWV XVHG E\ WKH ÀQDQFLDO DLG DQ ´RSHUDWLRQDO HQGRZPHQWµ WR EH XVHG RIÀFH ,Q WKH HQG WKRXJK VWXGHQWV ZLOO VSHFLÀFDOO\ WR NHHS WXLWLRQ FRVWV VWDEOH UHVSRQG WR KLJKHU WXLWLRQ ZLWK D VLJK 2QFH VWDUWHG WKH SULQFLSDO RI DQ HQGRZ- possibly a prod at our families for a “litPHQW IXQG ZRXOG EH XVHG WR JHQHUDWH tle” extra cash, and a “grin-and-bear-it” interest that could be used to fund Uni- attitude. MR YHUVLW\ FRVWV :KLOH ODUJH VXPV ZRXOG EH QHHGHG WR EHJLQ DQ HQGRZPHQW QRZ PD\ BY ADAM PAUL, ‘08

‘9/11,’ from Page 1 WKH )LJKW $JDLQVW DO 4DHGD" 5HÁHFWLRQV )LYH <HDUV /DWHU µ :KLOH &ROH HPSKDVL]HG WKH OLQNDJHV EHWZHHQ DQG WKH FXUUHQW ZDU RQ WHUURULVP KH VXUSULVHG WKH audience by avoiding his trademark controversial style. &ROH VWUHVVHG WKDW DO 4DHGD ´LV D ZHLUG FXOW WR RUGLQDU\ Muslims.” Cole claimed that the exclusion of former Ba’ath party members from post-Saddam government has created alienation and dissatisfaction in Iraq. Cole

6RFLDO $FWLYLVP E\ &LW\ 1HDUO\ &DXVHV 'HYHORSPHQW Deal Collapse

BY BRIAN MCNALLY, ‘08

ith the Ann Arbor City Planning Commission having unanimously approved the Metro 202 Planned Project Site Plan and Development Agreement, it seemed like the green light for the potential development at South Division DQG :DVKLQJWRQ ZRXOG VXUHO\ FRPH IURP City Council. In spite of this clear endorsement, City Council failed to amass the six needed votes at their August 21st PHHWLQJ WR DOORZ WKH DFUH PL[HG XVH development to proceed, falling one vote VKRUW ZLWK WZR PHPEHUV DEVHQW DQG RQH abstaining. What happened next surprised evHU\RQH )LUVW WKH 0F.LQOH\ &RPSDQ\ DQQRXQFHG WKDW WKH\ ZRXOG QRW EH UHVXEPLWWLQJ WKHLU SURSRVDO EXW ZRXOG LQVWHDG pull out of the project, leaving the property on the corner of South Division and Washington. After spending several hundred thousand dollars bringing the project up to code, McKinley CEO Al Berriz decided to cut his losses rather than continue to endure the delays and special requests by the City that cast a cloud of uncertainty over the completion of Metro 202. ,PPHGLDWHO\ IROORZLQJ 0F.LQOH\·V pullout, Ann Arbor residents began questioning the motives of City Council. The Ann Arbor News ran an editorial statLQJ ´6XUSULVHV DUH ÀQH DW ELUWKGD\ SDUWLHV EXW ZKHQ D GHYHORSHU VSHQGV KXQGUHGV RI WKRXVDQGV RI GROODUV ZKHQ FLW\ VWDII and planning commissioners invest hunGUHGV RI KRXUV LQ ZRUNLQJ WKURXJK SURElems, there should be no surprise at the RXWFRPH³RQH ZD\ RU WKH RWKHU µ Jason Roberts of Ann Arbor comPHQWHG WKDW ´WKH WKUHH PHPEHUV ZKR YRWHG GRZQ WKH SURMHFW JRW FDXJKW FDOOLQJ a bluff, and got seriously burned from it. . . . They expected the developer to jump through the same idiotic hoops they push onto everyone else.” $Q DQRQ\PRXV OHWWHU VLJQHG ´)RU

explained that U.S. efforts in Afghanistan have failed to stabilize that country, even citing that the current president is often referred to as the “Mayor of Kabul” because he cannot H[HUW LQÁXHQFH WKURXJKRXW WKH FRXQWU\ 7KH VSHHFK ZDV VSRQVRUHG E\ WKH *HUDOG )RUG School of Public Policy as their annual Josh Rosenthal (GXFDWLRQ )XQG /HFWXUH 5RVHQWKDO ZDV RQH RI WKRVH NLOOHG LQ WKH DWWDFNV RQ WKH :RUOG 7UDGH &HQWHU ÀYH \HDUV DJR +LV PRWKHU ZKR VSRNH EHIRUH &ROH DWWHPSWHG WR ÀQG VRPH KRSH LQ WKH GD\ VWDWLQJ WKDW 6HSWHPEHU ZDV DOVR LURQLFDOO\ WKH WK DQQLYHUVDU\ RI WKH Gandhi movement for peace in India.

)DLUQHVV µ ZDV VHQW WR WKH $QQ $UERU &LW\ Council on August 29th, asking for the Council to be “absolutely open and fair ZLWK 0F.LQOH\ DQG RWKHU GHYHORSHUV LQ the City zoning and approval process. No more long delays. End the City’s reputation for being anti-developer.” In the council’s 5-3 vote, Mayor John Heiftje (D), and City Council members Bob Johnson (D-1st Ward) and Stephen Rapundalo (D-2nd Ward), believed the Planning Commission’s recommendaWLRQ ZDV LQ HUURU DQG ZHUH WKH WKUHH YRWHV against the McKinley Company’s proposed development. %RZLQJ LQ WR WKH SUHVVXUH DIWHU WKH result of the vote, Rapundalo used a litWOH NQRZQ ORRSKROH WR FDOO IRU D UHYRWH under the pretense that “the item failed RQ D WHFKQLFDOLW\ JLYHQ LQVXIÀFLHQW FRXQFLO PHPEHUV SUHVHQW 4XLWH VLPSO\ LW ZDVQ·W fair.” At the next meeting, held on September 5th, Rapundalo changed his vote WR ´\HDµ DQG ZLWK PRUH PHPEHUV SUHVHQW WKH ÀQDO FRXQW ZDV EURXJKW WR Hieftje and Johnson did not change their votes or their convictions that the project should go through a Planned Unit Development (PUD) before getting apSURYDO $ 38' JUDQWV WKH FLW\ WKH SRZHU to overlook certain aspects of the building code in return for the developer proYLGLQJ ORZ LQFRPH KRXVLQJ RU SURYLGLQJ RWKHU VHUYLFHV ZKLFK ´KDYH D EHQHÀFLDO effect on the City, in terms of public KHDOWK VDIHW\ ZHOIDUH DHVWKHWLFV RU FRQvenience.” While PUD appears to have good intentions, it gives the City more control over the project, leading some developers like Ed Shaffran to compare it to extortion. :LWK RWKHU ÀUPV VXFK DV *RRJOH looking to expand into Ann Arbor, one FDQ RQO\ KRSH WKDW VLPLODU GLIÀFXOWLHV DSSURYLQJ GHYHORSPHQWV ZLOO QRW DULVH LQ the future. Since the revote, McKinley has agreed to return to the Metro 202 project. MR

Other students remembered 9/11 by attending a memorial event on the Diag. Speakers, such as Senate candidate Michael Bouchard, recounted memories and ORRNHG IRUZDUG Like every generation before us, our successes and RXU WUDJHGLHV ZLOO LQIRUP KLVWRU\·V MXGJPHQWV ZLOO EH RXU GHÀQLQJ WUDJHG\ 0HPRULHV RI FRQWLQXH WR LPSDFW SHRSOH DFURVV WKH ZRUOG HVSHFLDOO\ ZLWK WKH SDVVing of each anniversary. While some may have ambivaOHQWO\ ZDGHG WKURXJK 6HSWHPEHU IRU PRVW VWXGHQWV LPDJHV DQG LPSUHVVLRQV IURP ÀYH \HDUV DJR FDPH to mind. MR

P. 8

)HDWXUHV 9.19.06 college outreach programs “the primary ing other schools. RXV 0LFKLJDQ LV D VHJUHJDWHG VWDWH ZLWK ‘MCRI,’ from Page 6 vehicle of achieving diversity among the 6R ZKLOH PLQRULW\ VWXGHQWV LQ &DOL- a struggling economy and a poorly eduUC’s student body” and stated that these fornia seem to be entering college better FDWHG ZRUNIRUFH DIWHU 3URSRVLWLRQ ,I ZH programs “[continue] to serve a large prepared, and many are attending topKaufmann cites a 2006 report from FRPSDUH QXPEHUV IURP HTXDO ÀYH \HDU portion of underrepresented minority notch schools, UC Berkeley Chancellor Harvard University to assert that “Michiperiods, 1991-1995 and 2000-2005, Afstudents.” Robert Birgeneau labels the system rican-American representation in the UC 7KHVH SURJUDPV QRZ JXDUDQWHH DG- “quite unfair,” apparently because he By declaring the MCRI a system has actually increased by 10%. mission to the top 4% of students in any doesn’t see the “correct” number of death knell for civil rights, MCRI Kaufmann also argues that the hirCalifornia public high school, and other blacks on his campus, and he feels it opponents have essentially declared LQJ RI ZRPHQ DOVR GHFOLQHG ´LPPHGLDWHprograms offer deferred admissions to is his “moral obligation to address the O\ DQG GUDPDWLFDOO\ µ +RZHYHU WKH WRWDO the top 12% of students, provided they LVVXH RI LQFOXVLRQ KHDG RQ µ /LNHZLVH the successes of the civil rights era SHUFHQWDJH RI ZRPHQ IDFXOW\ PHPEHUV complete courses at a community college. opponents of the MCRI also latch on contingent on racial preferences, on UC campuses stood at 23.1% before 7KHVH SURJUDPV KDYH SXW FROOHJH ZLWKLQ to this “tragedy.” This brings us to and the progress of minorities Proposition 209 in 1996, currently stands the grasp of students at every Califor- TXHVWLRQ ZKR LV UHDOO\ WKH IRFXV KHUH" contingent on white charity. DW DQG QHYHU GURSSHG EHORZ WKH nia high school, and have focused not 0LQRULW\ VWXGHQWV ZKR DUH EHWWHU SUH1996 levels. In 2005, UC campuses had a RQ ORZHULQJ WKH EDU IRU XQGHUDFKLHYLQJ pared, attend top-tier schools, and receive gan schools are the third most segregated KLJKHU SHUFHQWDJH RI ZRPHQ DQG PLQRUstudents, but on raising those students degrees in greater numbers, or politicians LQ WKH 8 6 IRU $IULFDQ $PHULFDQV ZKR ity faculty members than ever before. above the bar. DQG FROOHJH DGPLQLVWUDWRUV ZKR DUH PRUH DUH PRUH OLNHO\ WR DWWHQG VFKRROV ZLWK Kaufmann then examines the im8& 'DYLV &KDQFHOORU /DUU\ 9DQGHU- FRQFHUQHG ZLWK WKHLU ´PRUDO REOLJDWLRQµ high concentrations of poverty and all pact of Prop. 209 on university enrollhoef believes that many of these policies than minority achievement? its attendant problems, less experienced PHQWV 7R EH FOHDU IROORZLQJ WKH SDVVDJH ZRXOG QRW KDYH EHHQ LPSOHPHQWHG ZLWKThis “moral obligation” may also teachers, high student and teacher turnRI 3URS WKHUH ZDV D PRGHVW GHFOLQH out the passage of Proposition 209. “The have played a role among organizations over, and less access to challenging colof about 11% in the number of underuniversity has been led to concentrate WKDW ÀOHG DPLFXV EULHIV ZLWK WKH 6XSUHPH OHJH SUHSDUDWRU\ FODVVHV µ +RZHYHU WKHVH represented minorities in the UC system, much more on real, fundamental disad- &RXUW LQ 7KHVH EULHIV RYHUZKHOP- factors are not racially exclusive, nor does although this mirrored a drop in appliYDQWDJHV µ KH VDLG LQ ´, ZRXOGQ·W VD\ ingly suportive of the University’s admis- .DXIPDQQ H[SODLQ ZK\ WKH LQFUHDVHG cations from underrepresented minor,·P VDWLVÀHG ZLWK WKH VWDWH ZH·UH LQ EXW sions policy, have been cited by MCRI OLNHOLKRRG RI GLVDGYDQWDJH MXVWLÀHV GLVity (URM) students. By and large, these ,·P VDWLVÀHG ZLWK WKH WUHQG DQG WKH LQWHQ- opponents and Kaufmann as evidence crimination. VWXGHQWV ZHUH VLPSO\ UHGLVWULEXWHG ZLWKLQ WLRQV :KDW , NQRZ IRU VXUH LV WKDW LW·V QRW RI ´WKH FHQWUDOLW\ RI DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ WR The same Harvard report also states WKH 8& V\VWHP +RZHYHU .DXIPDQQ WKH HQG RI WKH ZRUOG ,W·V QRW WKH HQG RI their [companies’] core values and opera- WKH IROORZLQJ ´5DFLDO VHJUHJDWLRQ LV QRW DQG RWKHU DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ VXSSRUWunderrepresented minorities being able WLRQV µ +RZHYHU DV SURPLQHQW EODFN LQWHO- MXVW DERXW UDFH ,I UDFH ZHUH QRW OLQNHG HUV FKRRVH WR IRFXV RQO\ RQ WKH WRS WZR WR RWKHU IRUPV RI LQHTXDOLW\ ZH ZRXOG schools in the system. This myopic focus EH D GLIIHUHQW VRFLHW\ µ ,Q RWKHU ZRUGV on select schools feeds the “Yale or jail” race is not a disadvantage, but inequalGLOHPPD ZKLFK LPSOLHV WKDW LI D PLQRULW\ LV $IÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ QRW RQO\ WUHDWV ity student doesn’t attend the best school race as a disadvantage, but it fails to adpossible, he or she ends up on the streets dress the underlying causes of inequalor in jail. It also implies that second tier LW\ 0RUHRYHU LQ D ZRUOG GHYRLG RI UDFLDO VFKRROV DUH LQ VRPH ZD\ GHÀFLHQW %XW UHpreferences, the inequalities associated JDUGOHVV ZKDW KDV KDSSHQHG WR PLQRULW\ ZLWK UDFH ² VRFLRHFRQRPLF GLVDGYDQWDJH One United Michigan commercials, or a McDonald’s ad? students in California? SRYHUW\ VLQJOH SDUHQW KRPHV ² ZRXOG Kaufmann argues that the “eliminato go to the university.” lectual Shelby Steele aptly points out, this be completely acceptable considerations tion of outreach programs” has contribWhile outreach programs seem to VXSSRUW RI UDFLDO SUHIHUHQFHV ZDV KDUGO\ in the college admissions process. Since uted to the decline of minority students have been expanded rather than elimi- EDVHG RQ DQ DQDO\VLV RI ZK\ SUHIHUHQFHV Prop. 209, the UC system has been exin the UC system. Evidence doesn’t supnated, an increasing number of minority ZHUH QHHGHG LQ WKH ÀUVW SODFH RQO\ E\ tremely successful at enrolling disadvanport this claim. According to the UC sysstudents are choosing to enroll outside WKH IDFW WKDW SUHIHUHQFHV ZHUH QHHGHG WR taged students. WHP·V RZQ UHSRUW 8QGHUJUDGXDWH $FFHVV the UC system – particularly at private “rope in” enough minorities. MCRI opponents typically point to to the University of California After the colleges that Why must these institutions “rope in the struggling Michigan economy and a E l i m i n a t i o n While MCRI opponents frequently claim can legally enough minorities?” As Steele argues, ev- SRRUO\ HGXFDWHG ZRUNIRUFH DV UHDVRQV WR of Racethat outreach programs have been grant prefer- ery modern American institution is mired VXSSRUW DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ 2I FRXUVH Conscious eliminated in California, the UC system’s ences, and in an endless battle to prove their aver- WKHUH LV QR H[SODQDWLRQ DV WR KRZ DIÀUPolicies, since provide bet- sion to racism. Just as Berkeley Chancel- PDWLYH DFWLRQ ZLOO LPSURYH WKH VLWXDWLRQ own report declares that outreach 1996, “the WHU ÀQDQFLDO lor Robert Birgeneau feels a “moral ob- ² DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ VXSSRUWHUV DUH PXFK programs have been “dramatically University has aid packages. ligation” to increase diversity, American more talented at demonizing the MCRI taken action expanded” in the post-209 era. Another “Most of the businesses are obligated to employ a suf- than at detailing the merits of racial and to strengthen report calls these programs the “primary VWXGHQWV ZKR ÀFLHQW QXPEHU RI PLQRULWLHV OHVW WKH\ EH gender preferences. It is important to K-12 educavehicle of achieving diversity among the don’t get in declared racist. This everlasting quest to QRWH KRZHYHU WKDW 0LFKLJDQ IDFHV WKHVH tion, enhance go to other prove a negative is, Steele argues, the driv- economic, educational, and racial crises UC’s student body. student prepat o p - n o t c h LQJ IRUFH EHKLQG WKH )RUWXQH DPLFXV DIWHU \HDUV RI DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ ration for higher education, and impleschools – Harvard, Duke, Michigan,” EULHIV :KDW EHWWHU ZD\ IRU FRUSRUDWLRQV .DXIPDQQ LV ULJKW KRZHYHU WR DVment race-neutral alternatives designed UCLA sociologist Darnell Hunt told the to prove their “commitment to diversity” sert that education is critical to economic to strengthen is ability to attract, admit, LA Times. Kaufmann states that minor- WKDQ WR ÀOH PHDQLQJOHVV QRQ ELQGLQJ revival. To prove her point, she cites a and enroll an undergraduate body that ity students admitted to UC schools “of- EULHIV LQ VXSSRUW RI DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ LQ March 2006 survey of 1,200 businesses LV ERWK DFDGHPLFDOO\ ZHOO SUHSDUHG DQG ten choose instead to attend elite private D KLJK SURÀOH 6XSUHPH &RXUW FDVH" 3HU- DV HYLGHQFH WKDW DQ HGXFDWHG ZRUNIRUFH UHÁHFWLYH RI WKH EURDG GLYHUVLW\ RI &DOLinstitutions.” Indeed the percentage of KDSV WKHQ QRERG\ ZLOO QRWLFH WKH GHDUWK is critical to business creation. The survey fornia.” Instead of eliminating outreach URM students denied admission to UC RI ZRPHQ DQG PLQRULWLHV LQ )RUWXQH polled private businesses to determine programs, “the University dramatically %HUNHOH\ DQG 8&/$ ZKR VXEVHTXHQWO\ corporate board seats. ZKDW IDFWRUV FRQVWLWXWH D IDYRUDEOH EXVLH[SDQGHG LWV RXWUHDFK HIIRUWV EHWZHHQ choose to enroll in a private school has ,Q KHU ÀQDO SDJHV .DXIPDQQ H[- QHVV FOLPDWH DQG ZKDW UROH VWDWH XQLYHU DQG µ ZKLFK ´H[SDQGHG ERWK increased from 14% in 1997 to 24% in DPLQHV DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ ZLWKLQ ´WKH sities and governments can play in enthe number of students they served, and 2002. Minority students aren’t being shut Michigan Context.” She uses a barrage the depth of programs they provide.” out of colleges. Many are simply attend- of statistics and quotes to state the obvi$QRWKHU UHSRUW ZULWWHQ LQ FDOOHG See ‘MCRI,’ Page 9

P. 9

‘Religion,’ from Page 3

)HDWXUHV IRUJRWWHQ WKH VLJQLÀFDQFH RI WKLV DQQLYHUVDU\ 7KH UHOLJLRXV KLVWRU\ RI WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 0LFKLJDQ LV OXVK ZLWK WUDGLWLRQ DQG KRZ VXFK D EHQFKPDUN ZDV RYHUORRNHG raises serious questions about the priorities of the administration. With focus recently on ethics, via President Mary Sue Coleman’s major “Ethics in Public Life” initiative, LW ZRXOG VHHP ORJLFDO WR LQYLWH FRPPXQLWLHV RI IDLWK WR EHFRPH DFWLYH SDUWLFLSDQWV LQ WKH GHEDWH RYHU KRZ VWXGHQWV· HWKLFV PLJKW EH IRUPHG 7KH LQFOXVLRQ RI ZLOOing communities of faith need not be alienating, but can UDWKHU EH FRQVLGHUHG DV DQRWKHU YLHZSRLQW UHSUHVHQWHG LQ WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ DW WKH ZLOO RI WKH GLIIHUHQW JURXSV 0DQ\ FULWLFV RI UHOLJLRQ LQ WKHLU DYRZHG VHFXODULVP FDQ ÀQG WKHPVHOYHV LQVXODWHG ZLWKLQ WKH 8QLYHUVLW\·V EXW RIfering a chance for communities of faith to offer some input and advice as to perspectives on ethical issues seems deeply taboo at this point. Having a meaningful conversation about the importance of Ethics in PubOLF /LIH HVSHFLDOO\ LQ WKH EURDG ZHOO URXQGHG HGXFDWLRQ RI 0LFKLJDQ VWXGHQWV PD\ ZHOO EH LQFRPSOHWH ZLWKRXW some degree of consideration of the religious, or in the OHDVW VSLULWXDO UDPLÀFDWLRQV ,WVHOI D UHVRXUFH IRU WKH ZKROH HGXFDWLRQ RI WKH VWXGHQW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ PLJKW EHQHÀW E\ PDNLQJ LWVHOI PRUH RSHQ WR WKRVH IURP PRUH religious and ethical traditions.

IRU ZKLFK WKH ODWHVW LQIRUPDWLRQ KDV EHHQ PDGH DYDLODEOH reveals that some 28% of students are Roman Catholic. Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Baptists are the largest Protestant groups at 4.6%, 4.5%, 3.7%, and RI WKH VWXGHQW SRSXODWLRQ UHVSHFWLYHO\ 6SHFLÀFDOO\ UHOLJLRXVO\ -HZLVK VWXGHQWV PDNH XS URXJKO\ RU VR RI WKH VWXGHQW ERG\ DOWKRXJK WKRVH ZKR FODLP D ´-HZLVKµ LGHQWLW\ LQ D EURDGHU FRQWH[W PD\ FRPSULVH XSZDUGV RI RI 0LFKLJDQ VWXGHQWV 7KH VHFRQG ODUJest segment on campus, though, is made up of students SURFODLPLQJ QR IDLWK ZKR DUH VRPH RI WKH FDPpus population. While large, this statistic represents a decline of the secular student population from the late V ZKHUH D VWXG\ UHYHDOHG WKDW DV PXFK DV D WKLUG RI Michigan students claimed no religious belief. Today, religious groups and students of faith ocFXS\ D VRPHZKDW DZNZDUG DPELJXRXV SODFH RQ FDPpus. Some of the larger groups revolve around Hillel, 6W 0DU\·V &KXUFK DQG 1HZ /LIH &KXUFK³ZKLFK DIter years of shifting around through University space, LV EXLOGLQJ LWV RZQ IDFLOLW\ RQ :DVKWHQDZ 5RDG %XW many students and clergy from these groups often acNQRZOHGJH D VRPHZKDW FKLOO\ UHFHSWLRQ IURP WKRVH LQ WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ ,W RIWHQ VHHPV DV LI WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ ZKLFK EHQGV RYHU EDFNZDUGV WR DFFRPPRGDWH WKH PRVW SHFXliar interest groups on campus, has little time or effort for students of faith. Indeed, the interests of such a ODUJH VHFWLRQ RI WKH VWXGHQW SRSXODWLRQ PLJKW ZHOO EH VTXHH]HG RXW LQ D VWUXJJOH IRU UHVRXUFHV ZLWK WKHVH RWKHU minority-oriented groups. To that end, it’s no shock that the University has overlooked that this coming school year celebrates the 150th anniversary of organized religious activity on campus. In the 1956-57 school year, a major celebration or the 100th year anniversary of organized religion ZDV KHOG LQFOXGLQJ VSHDNHUV FRQIHUHQFHV UHSRUWV DQG at Michigan in 1957, the University commissioned a RWKHUZLVH WKDW KHOG XS DQG FRPPHPRUDWHG WKH UROH RI UHOLJLRQ RQ FDPSXV 2QO\ ÀIW\ \HDUV ODWHU HYHU\RQH KDV report by then-professor and Assistant Coordinator of

The devout life need not be crudely divorced from all RIÀFLDO OLIH DW WKH University of Michigan.

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,QVWHDG WKH\ REVFXUH WKH LVVXH ZLWK a dizzying array of emotionally charged couraging business creation. In the entire ZRUGV ² ´RXWUHDFK µ ´DFFHVV µ ´IDLUQHVV µ SDJH UHSRUW ´GLYHUVLW\µ DQG ´DIÀUPD- “diversity.” They call programs that mandates preferences an “outreach effort.” tive action” are never mentioned. After detailing the exclusion, seg- A quota system provides “access” to regation, and inequality that plague contracts. Admissions systems that dis0LFKLJDQ DIWHU \HDUV RI DIÀUPDWLYH DF- FULPLQDWH DJDLQVW TXDOLÀHG VWXGHQWV SURWLRQ .DXIPDQQ FRQFOXGHV WKDW DIÀUPD- vide “opportunity.” The divine concept tive action “remains an important tool RI ´GLYHUVLW\µ EHFRPHV WKH TXDQWLÀDEOH for disrupting old patterns of exclusion QXPEHU RI EODFN VWXGHQWV RQ WZR FROOHJH and segregation,” and provides “fair and campuses. The anti-MCRI establishment equal access to opportunity.” She does FDQ FDOO WKHVH SURJUDPV ZKDWHYHU WKH\ QRW H[SODLQ WKDW DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ SUR- ZRXOG OLNH WR IXOÀOO WKHLU ´PRUDO REOLJDgrams have no mechanism for determin- tion,” but spreading such propaganda is LQJ ZKR H[DFWO\ KDV IDFHG VHJUHJDWLRQ RU simply disingenuous, and belies the frailty H[FOXVLRQ QRU GRHV VKH H[SODLQ KRZ SUHI- of their arguments. The end of racial and gender prefererential treatment ensures “fair and equal ences in California may have bruised the access to opportunity.” But none of that egos of moral crusaders, but it did not matters in a campaign based on distorting bring the state to its knees. Women and and avoiding reality. PLQRULWLHV DUH QRZ UHSUHVHQWHG LQ HPIn fact, aside from quoting the ballot ployment, education, and contracting by ODQJXDJH QRW RQFH LV WKH ZRUG ´SUHIHUvirtue of their achievements, not by an ence” ever mentioned in Kaufmann’s 18DFW RI FKDULW\ 2IÀFLDOV KDYH EHHQ IRUFHG page report – a report that supposedly establishes the necessity of racial and to confront the true issues underlying ingender preferences, and the dire con- equality. 5DFLDO DQG JHQGHU SUHIHUHQFHV ZLOO sequences of ending such preferences. not lead Michigan to equality or prosper0&5, RSSRQHQWV FDQ·W HYHQ GHÀQH WKH LW\ (QGLQJ WKHVH SUHIHUHQFHV KRZHYHU policy they support, let alone mount a ZRXOG EH D JRRG ÀUVW VWHS M R reasoned defense.

‘MCRI,’ from Page 8

9.19.06 Religious Affairs, C. Grey Austin, on the history of religion at Michigan. He opened his book, “The University RI 0LFKLJDQ ZDV QHYHU LQWHQGHG WR EH D VHFWDULDQ VFKRRO WKRXJK LW ZDV LQWHQGHG WR KDYH D GLVWLQFWO\ UHOLJLRXV DWmosphere.” 2YHU WKH SDVW RQH KXQGUHG ÀIW\ \HDUV DQG PRUH LW LV clear that this sentiment has become a distinctly minorLW\ RQH 7KH PRVW SUHVFLHQW GRFXPHQWV IURP ZLWKLQ WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ DFNQRZOHGJH DV PXFK $ UHSRUW IURP the OER makes several points. It argues students are VXEMHFW WR DQ ´LQYHUVH SURYLQFLDOLVP µ ZKLFK GHGLFDWHV itself to the systemic study of most all religious traditions but those underpinning American life. Ten years later, a study of student religious needs indicated a good QXPEHU RI VWXGHQWV ZHUH LQWHUHVWHG LQ YDOXHV EDVHG HGXFDWLRQ &KDUDFWHULVWLF RI WKH VWXG\ ZDV LWV DUJXPHQW WKDW ´&OHDUO\ VWXGHQWV >DW 0LFKLJDQ@ DUH QRW ÀQGLQJ DGHTXDWH educational opportunity for integrating their lives, their YDOXHV WKHLU«UHOLJLRXV KHULWDJHV DQG TXHVWV ZLWK WKHLU DFDGHPLF NQRZOHGJH µ ,W DOVR TXHVWLRQHG ZKHWKHU SOXUDOLVP DV SUDFWLFHG RQ FDPSXV ZDV D IRUP RI QHJDWLYH “value neutrality.” *RG DQG 0LFKLJDQ DUH WRGD\ DW EHVW VWDQGRIÀVK Yet religion and education existed to complement each other in virtually the entirety of the history of higher education, save the modern era. Religion and education VHUYH HDFK RWKHU DQG XQOLNH ZKDW PDQ\ SRVWPRGHUQLVWV might argue, they are suited to uniquely serve and bolster one another. Michigan should not become a parochial FROOHJH LW LV TXLWH FOHDU WKDW VXFK D PLVVLRQ ZDV QHYHU HQYLVLRQHG E\ WKH 8QLYHUVLW\·V IRXQGHUV DQG ZRXOG IDOO ZHOO EH\RQG WKH VFRSH RI PRGHUQ )LUVW $PHQGPHQW ODZ But that does not mean that religion should be almost quite literally a phenomenon excluded to the boundaries of campus. Whether in Mary Sue Coleman’s ethics initiative, academic pursuits, campus life, or personal activities, the devout life need not be crudely divorced from DOO RIÀFLDO OLIH DW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 0LFKLJDQ MR

P. 10

ELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL, ALL! I’ve assembled the perfect playlist of those late summer/early fall songs that are sure to make it into heavy rotation on your iPod. These songs range from some rocking songs ZLWK VRPH VL]]OLQJ KRRNV WR D IHZ RYHUORRNHG numbers that are almost sure to make you pause for a second, and stare off into space. ,W·V D SHUIHFW PL[ IRU DXWXPQ ZLWK DOO LWV PL[HG feelings. –Mike O’Brien “HANDS OPEN,” SNOW PATROL: Easily the KDUGHVW URFNLQJ VRQJ RQ 6QRZ 3DWURO·V ODWHVW album, the stanza containing a Sufjan Stevens reference should be enough to sell you on this song. “WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG,” THE KILLERS: (YHU\ERG\·V IDYRULWH WKURZEDFN EDQG LV EDFN ZLWK WKH ÀUVW VRQJ RII WKHLU XSFRPLQJ VRSKRPRUH HIIRUW 6DP·V 7RZQ 7KH DQWKHPLF VRQJ ZLWK 6SULQJVWHHQ HVTXH VWULQJV DQG EHOOV PDNHV IRU RQH FDWFK\ VRQJ ZKLOH UHPLQGLQJ XV RI HDVLHU GD\V ZLWK HDVLHU GHFLVLRQV QRW WRR ORQJ DJR “ULTIMATUM,” THE LONG WINTERS: “You JRWWD NLFN LW RII ZLWK D NLOOHU WR JUDE DWWHQWLRQ Then you gotta take it up a notch, but you don’t ZDQW WR EORZ \RXU ZDG 6R WKHQ \RX JRWWD FRRO it off a notch. There are a lot of rules.” “STILL FIGHTING IT,” BEN FOLDS: Just about any junior or senior here at the University, faced ZLWK WKH UHDO ZRUOG RQ WKH KRUL]RQ ZLOO HPSDWKL]H ZLWK WKH FKRUXV ´(YHU\ERG\ NQRZV LW VXFNV WR JURZ XS $QG HYHU\ERG\ GRHV«7KH \HDUV JR RQ DQG ZH·UH VWLOO ÀJKWLQJ LW«µ “YOUNG ALUMNI,” MARITIME: A fun, poppy song that captures the foibles of our entire generation in a mere three minutes and fourtyIRXU VHFRQGV 7KHLU HQWLUH :H 7KH 9HKLFOHV DOEXP LV ÀOOHG ZLWK VDLG PXVLF JRRGQHVV *R pick it up. “ON A FREEZING CHICAGO STREET,” MARGOT & THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO’S: This is easily the best band you’ve never heard of. The band LV DQ HQVHPEOH IURP ,QGLDQD ZLWK HYHU\WKLQJ from hard-rocking riffs evoking Weezer to VZHHW VRQJV OLNH WKLV RQH ZLWK D IRONV\ FHOOR and clever lyrics like, “So if your lover should leave, don’t get too sad/ And don’t compose HSLF SRHPV WR ZLQ KHU EDFN ¶&DXVH ZKHQ \RXU ELUG KDV ÁRZQ VKH·OO QHYHU UHWXUQ KRPH µ “THREE MORE DAYS,” RAY LAMONTAGNE: An ironically funky number from a folk sensation. “HEY THERE DELILAH,” PLAIN WHITE T’S: $ VZHHW ORYH OHWWHU WXUQHG VRQJ IURP D VXUSULVLQJ VRXUFH ´+H\ WKHUH 'HOLODK ZKDW·V LW OLNH LQ 1HZ <RUN &LW\" ,·P D WKRXVDQG PLOHV DZD\ but girl you look so pretty, yes you do/ Times Square can’t shine as bright as you.”) “SAMSON,” REGINA SPEKTOR: A poignant song about an odd topic: a contemplation of the ORYH EHWZHHQ 6DPVRQ DQG 'HOLODK EXW OHIW RXW of the Bible. The lyrics may be a bit kitschy, but this simple piano ballad is most certainly one of those sit-and-stare songs. MR

Arts & Culture

9.19.06

'HYHORSPHQW Arrested

BY NATALIE NEWTON, ‘09

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,Q WKH ÀQDO VHDVRQ 0LFKDHO %OXWK continues to hold together his crumEOLQJ DQG KDSKD]DUG IDPLO\ ZKLOH WKH remaining family members do their best WR ULVH WR WKH RFFDVLRQ ZLWK FRQVWDQW foibles, embarrassments, and general inappropriateness. While some of the more extreme plot lines may push some YLHZHUV· DWWHQWLRQ DQG EHOLHYDELOLW\ WR WKH EUHDNLQJ SRLQW³OLNH ZKHQ 0LFKDHO ÀQGV KLPVHOI GDWLQJ D PHQWDOO\ UHWDUGHG %ULWLVK ZRPDQ SOD\HG E\ &KDUOL]H 7KHURQ³WKH VKRZ·V KXPRU UHPDLQV DV URFN solid as ever, and as any die-hard fan

OR THE FANS AND HYPER-NERDS ZKR KDYH IROORZHG WKH WKUHH WXPXOWXRXV VHDVRQV RI )2;·V Arrested Development, WKH UHOHDVH RI WKH WKLUG DQG ÀQDO VHDVRQ RQ '9' WKLV IDOO ZDV ELWWHUVZHHW VXUHO\ OHDYLQJ WKH WKRXVDQGV ZKR SHWLWLRQHG )2; WR UHQHZ WKH VKRZ FU\LQJ OLNH D couple of girls, saying to themselves, “taste the happy.” )ROORZLQJ D VHULHV RI LPSUHVVLYH DZDUGV LQFOXGLQJ WKH (PP\ IRU %HVW Comedy Series in 2004, it seemed as if WKH VWUXJJOLQJ VKRZ KDG ÀQDOO\ IRXQG LWV QLFKH KDOI ZD\ WKURXJK VHDVRQ WKUHH KRZHYHU )2; FXW GRZQ WKH QXPEHU of episodes, and shortly thereafter cancelled Arrested altogether. While other QHWZRUNV OLNH 6KRZWLPH DQG $%& PDGH RIIHUV WKH FUHDWRU 0LWFKHOO +XUZLW] GHclined them, and amidst constant rumors of a fourth season, he ended the SOS! Even Arrested Development’s mulltiVKRZ DOWRJHWKHU FLWLQJ H[KDXVWLRQ IURP ple Emmy wins couldn’t save their show. micro-managing the series and a desire on the part of the actors to move on to NQRZV LW DOO PDNHV VHQVH LQ WKH HQG other projects. :KDW PDNHV WKH ÀQDO VHDVRQ VR GLI&RPSDUHG WR WKH ÀUVW WZR VHDVRQ ÀFXOW WR ZDWFK LV QRW DQ\ ODFN RI RULJLZKLFK FRQWDLQ DQG HSLVRGHV UH- QDOLW\ RU ZLW EXW WKH DSSDUHQW GHVSHUDspectively, season three’s paltry 13 seg- WLRQ RI WKH ZULWHUV RI WKH VHULHV IDQV FDQ ments serve merely as a tragic reminder actually track the events surrounding the RI ZKDW FRXOG KDYH EHHQ WKRXJK HDFK VKRZ·V FDQFHOODWLRQ LQ WKH HSLVRGHV DV HSLVRGH UHPDLQV DV DOZD\V JROGHQ the characters themselves actually make Sticking to its usual formula of com- UHIHUHQFHV WR +%2 DQG 6KRZWLPH FOHDUplicated plot lines and constant cameos, O\ UHÁHFWLQJ WKH UHDO OLIH FKDUDGH JRLQJ the third season managed to maintain RQ RII FDPHUD DV WKH\ VWUXJJOHG WR ÀQG D WKH FKDUP DQG ZLW WKDW PDGH LW VR SRSX- UHQHZDO ,Q RQH RI WKH ÀQDO HSLVRGHV HQODU ZLWK FULWLFV DQG DSSDUHQWO\ XQSRSXODU titled “Exit Strategy,” the narrator (Ron ZLWK YLHZHUV +RZDUG DFWXDOO\ UHIHUV WR WKH %OXWK

IDPLO\ SDUDGLQJ D VOHZ RI PLQRU FHOHErities at a fundraiser in order to garner VXSSRUW WKH ZULWHUV FOHDUO\ GLG WKH VDPH WKLQJ ZKLOH D EDQQHU LQ WKH EDFNJURXQG reads ‘Save Our Bluths,’ the same name given to the large, fan group petition for WKH VKRZ WR UHPDLQ RQ WKH DLU :KLOH FRQVLVWHQW ZLWK WKH KXPRU RI WKH VHULHV LW ZRXOG KDYH EHHQ QLFH WR VHH WKH VKRZ end on a more triumphant, and certainly OHVV GHVSHUDWH QRWH ZLWK IHZHU UHPLQGHUV RI WKH VDG UHDOLW\ EHKLQG WKH VKRZ·V lack of popularity. $OWKRXJK WKH FRQVWDQW SORW WZLVWV DQG VOHZ RI FRQIXVLQJ FKDUDFWHUV PLJKW KDYH PDGH WKH VHULHV GLIÀFXOW IRU WHOHYLVLRQ YLHZHUV LW HQDEOHG WKH KHDY\ KDQGHGQHVV RI WKH ZULWLQJ WR UHDOO\ HPHUJH WKLV LV PRVW HDVLO\ VHHQ WKURXJK YLHZLQJ WKH HQWLUH VHULHV RQ '9' $V 5RQ +RZDUG SOD\LQJ KLPVHOI VD\V LQ WKH ÀQDO HSisode, “I don’t see it as a series... maybe a movie,” no doubt a criticism often heard by the creators. The special features are hardly the PDLQ DSSHDO RI WKH '9' DQG ZLOO SUREDEO\ EH ZDWFKHG RQFH LQ ERUHGRP DQG then forgotten, and even then, only by true die-hard fans. Even the “Last Day on Location” lacks the humor and apSHDO RQH ZRXOG H[SHFW IURP VXFK D tremendous series ending, though the commentaries serve as a heartbreaking UHPLQGHU RI KRZ WKH VKRZ·V HQVHPEOH cast manages to give life to its characters. Is this really the end of one of the most critically-acclaimed television series in a decade? My gut is telling me yes, but my gut’s also very hungry… MR

Annual Fashion Trends Draw Fire

VERY YEAR, IT SEEMS DV LI D QHZ IDVKLRQ WUHQG PDNHV LWV ZD\ WR WKH 0LGZHVWHUQ EXEEOH NQRZQ DV $QQ $UERU :KHWKHU

KRPHJURZQ RU D /RQJ ,VODQG WUDQVSODQW WKHVH WUHQGV VHHP WR JULS D VLQJOH FODVV VSUHDG WR RWKHUV OLNH D UDVK DQG SROOXWH WKH 'LDJ E\ WKH HQG RI WKH ÀUVW ZHHN RI FODVV %XW ZKDW H[DFWO\ DUH WKHVH WUHQGV DQG ZKLFK FODVV LV UHVSRQVLEOH IRU WKHLU unfortunate presence on this campus? CLASS OF 2008: CLASS OF 2009: CLASS OF 2010: CLASS OF 2007: THE POPPED COLLAR THE UGG BOOTS THOSE GIANT SUNGLASSES THE ENSEMBLE :H WKRXJKW WKLV WUHQG ZDV Perfect for making the trek The most frustrating and 1RW FRQWHQW ZLWK D VLQJOH dead too. Then former Re- over to your frat house of pervasive trend of the last trend, this year’s freshman YLHZ (GLWRU -DPHV 'LFNVRQ choice, these boots hit their four years. Making Aviators FODVV EURXJKW DQ HQWLUH RXWÀW “popped” up in the Daily, SHDN ZKHQ WKH FODVV RI look miniscule, the sunglass- )URP WKH WRS GRZQ WKH RXWÀW looking *fabulous*. Popped FDPH WR WRZQ 6NLUWV es seen on campus today rival includes: 1) the side ponytail, collars have, fortunately, DQG 8JJV ZHUH WKH RXWÀW RI WKRVH \RX ZRXOG ÀQG LQ QRY- WKH PDVVLYH VZHDWVKLUW DQG started to make an exit from choice for the sub-zero days elty or gag gift stores. They WKH WLJKWHVW SDQWV NQRZQ the U, but the particular brand in January. These revolution- also lead to an untold num- to mankind. We’re still trying of douchebaggery that ac- DU\ ERRWV DOORZHG IHPDOHV ber of “Who is that? Do I WR ÀJXUH RXW WKLV RQH ,V LW companied them has proved to complain year round. In NQRZ KHU" &UDS ,·P JHWWLQJ a true attempt at the “I don’t much tougher to eradicate. April thru October, there FORVHU WR KHU QRZ PD\EH , care about my appearance, Unless you are a member of ZDV WKH LQFHVVDQW ZKLQLQJ VKRXOG VD\ KL %XW ZKDW LI HYHQ WKRXJK ,·P ZHDULQJ WKH 7KUHH 0DÀD \RX SURE- that the shoes these individu- , GRQ·W NQRZ KHU" 7KHQ ,·OO ZRUWK RI PDNHXS ably haven’t been popping als had looked at, purchased, just look like a tool. Maybe shoes, and daddy’s trust fund your collar ever since you can VHOHFWHG DQG SXW RQ ZHUH ,·OO MXVW RIIHU XS WKH DZNZDUG ZRUWK RI MHZHOU\µ ORRN RU LV remember. You probably ´XQFRPIRUWDEOH µ 1RZ IURP half smile and glance…” mo- it intentionally ironic? Either started freshman year. It’s November thru March, fe- ments on campus. ZD\ ZH·UH QRW DPXVHG MR over. Save the starch. Move males could complain about on. their legs being cold, all from WKH FRPIRUW RI WKHLU ZDUP Ugg boots. Amazing really.

P. 11

9.19.06

Arts & Culture

7DONLQ· $ERXW 0\ *HQHUDWLRQ Michigan alum examines the contradictions that inundate the attitudes and mindsets of the “self-esteem” generation. BY KAREN BOORE, ‘09

RX·UH VSHFLDO $W OHDVW WKDW LV ZKDW SDUHQWV VFKRROV DQG 79 VKRZV KDYH EHHQ WHOOLQJ WKLV JHQHUDWLRQ WKHLU ZKROH OLYHV $UH \RX VSHFLDO EHFDXVH \RX KDYH some talent that other people around you do not possess? Maybe, but probably not. In Generation Me: Why Today’s Young Americans Are More &RQÀGHQW $VVHUWLYH (QWLWOHG ² DQG More Miserable Than Ever Before, -HDQ 0 7ZHQJH 3K ' DUJXHV that though parents and teachers’ intentions may have been JRRG WKH HIIHFWV RI LQÁDWLQJ self-esteem in and of itself has done our generation a disservice. While the older generations may see the JUHDWHU RSSRUWXQLWLHV ZH KDYH 7ZHQJH DOVR KLJKOLJKWV WKDW RXU JHQHUDWLRQ PXVW GHDO ZLWK WKH GLIIHUHQW DQ[LHWies of our day. 7KH ZKROH LGHD EHKLQG Generation Me is that those RI XV ERUQ LQ WKH V V DQG V KDYH JURZQ up in a culture that is very self-focused. While Baby %RRPHUV VWDUWHG WKH WUHQG LQ WKHLU WHHQV DQG WZHQWLHV ZH KDYH OLYHG LQ WKH LQGLYLGXDO IRFXVHG ZRUOG RXU ZKROH OLYHV 7ZHQJH ÀQGV WKDW ´7KH DYHUDJH NLG LQ WKH mid-1990s—right in the heart of GenMe—had higher self-esteem than 73% of kids in 1979, one of the last pre-GenMe years.” She points to and criticizes the naWLRQ ZLGH VFKRRO SURJUDPV FUHDWHG WR ERRVW VHOI HVWHHP as the cause of this large increase. 6R ZKDW·V ZURQJ ZLWK IHHOLQJ JRRG DERXW \RXUVHOI " Not much. That is, until you realize that these programs that taught kids that high self-esteem is contingent on nothing. Doing poorly in school? That’s ok; you’re

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special already. In Asian cultures, usually less focused RQ VHOI HVWHHP FKLOGUHQ ZKR VFRUH ORZ RQ D WDVN IHHO D greater desire to improve. 8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKLV LV QRW WKH FDVH LQ WKH 86 7ZHQJH concludes that “self-esteem is not linked to living a successful life, academic achievement, behavior, or any other outcome” that the self-esteem programs have allegedly addressed. In raising selfHVWHHP WKURXJK VXFK SURJUDPV 7ZHQJH VD\V ZH KDYH SXW WKH ´FDUW EHIRUH WKH ZDJRQ µ 3DUHQWV DQG WHDFKHUV KDYH QRW focused on teaching children the skills and discipline needed to be successful, ZKLFK ZRXOG LQ WXUQ UDLVH VHOI HVWHHP Rather, Americans have skipped ahead, promoting self-esteem at all costs. 7ZHQJH DOVR FRQWUDVWV RXU JHQHUDWLRQ·V XSEULQJLQJ ZLWK WKH KDUVK UHDOLW\ ZH FXUUHQWO\ IDFH 2XU JHQHUDWLRQ KDV EHHQ WROG WKDW ZH FDQ EH DQ\WKLQJ ZH ZDQW WR EH +RZHYHU DV WKH QXPEHU RI VWXGHQWV ZKR H[SUHVV DQ LQWHUHVW LQ DGYDQFHG GHJUHHV IDU RXWZHLJK WKH QXPEHU RI RSHQ JUDGXDWH VFKRRO SRVLWLRQV VRPH PD\ KDYH WR ÀQG VRPHWKLQJ HOVH WKH\ ZDQW WR EH $OVR RXU JHQHUDWLRQ KDV JURZQ XS ZDWFKLQJ VWDUV RQ 079 ZKR KDYH VR PXFK PRUH WKDQ WKH DYHUDJH SHUVRQ ZLOO HYHU KDYH 2XU H[SHFWDWLRQV DUH KLJK EXW WKH UHDOLW\ RI D RU PD\EH ÀJXUH VDODU\ MXVW ZRQ·W VWDFN XS WR J-Lo’s. Add to that the rising costs of basic necessities, DQG LW·V QR ZRQGHU WKDW *HQ0H LV PRUH GHSUHVVHG :KLOH PDQ\ RI WKH FRQFOXVLRQV GUDZQ IURP WKH VWDtistical tests are very interesting and support her case, WKHUH DUH WLPHV ZKHQ 7ZHQJH JUDVSV DW DQ\WKLQJ VKH FDQ use to support her claims. At one point, she bemoans

the adage “never give up on your dreams,” saying that SHRSOH LQ PRYLHV ZKR SXUVXH DQ ´LPSRVVLEOH GUHDPµ DOPRVW DOZD\V VXFFHHG 7KH H[DPSOHV VKH XVHV DUH Rudy, Erin Brockovich, and Miracle. Someone should have PHQWLRQHG WR 7ZHQJH WKDW DOO WKUHH RI WKHVH PRYLHV DUH based on true stories. 0RUHRYHU 7ZHQJH ORRNV DW IXQGDPHQWDOLVW &KULVWLDQV ZKR VD\ WKDW -HVXV Christ is their personal savior, enterLQJ LQWR WKH ROG GHEDWH DERXW )DLWK DQG Good Works saying “these denominations teach that one’s personal faith guarantees acceptance into heaven, not WKH JRRG ZRUNV \RX SHUIRUP DQG WKH ZD\ \RX WUHDW RWKHUV µ 2QH PD\ TXHVWLRQ KRZ DQ LVVXH DW WKH KHDUW RI WKH Protestant Reformation in the 16th century can support her case for a more individual-focused generation in America today? )LQDOO\ 7ZHQJH PDNHV VRPH SROLF\ VXJJHVWLRQV IRU WKH IXWXUH ZKLFK VHHP PRUH KRSHIXO WKDQ UHDOLVWLF +RZHYHU VKH GRHV UHIUDLQ IURP VXJJHVWLQJ SROLF\ FKDQJHV WRWDOO\ RXWVLGH WKH VFRSH RI KHU NQRZOedge and has some good suggestions for school policies WKDW FRXOG JUHDWO\ EHQHÀW ZRUNLQJ SDUHQWV DV ZHOO DV SHUsonal advice for avoiding the pitfalls that face GenMe. While talking in person to one self-centered person can EH DQQR\LQJ UHDGLQJ DERXW WKHP HQ PDVVH DV D ZKROH self-centered generation can drive a person to strongly FRQVLGHU 7ZHQJH·V PHVVDJH MR

Congressional Interns Suck WKH &RQJUHVVLRQDO RIÀFH LV D VWULFWO\ KLHUDUFKLFDO SODFH 7KH FRQJUHVVPDQ LV ODUJHO\ D ÀJXUHKHDG 7KH FKLHI RI VERY SUMMER, THOUSANDS OF BRIGHT-EYED, EAGER VWDII WHOOV KLP ZKHQ DQG ZKHUH WR JR DQG RQ OHVV LPyoung interns descend on our nation’s capital, try- SRUWDQW ELOOV KRZ WR YRWH 0RYLQJ GRZQ IURP WKHUH LQJ WR JHW WKHLU IHHW LQ WKH GRRU E\ EHLQJ FRIIHH ZKRUHV RQH ÀQGV OHJLVODWLYH DVVLVWDQWV ZKR VSHFLDOL]H LQ EURDG and toolish cogs for The Man. VZDWKV RI LVVXHV 7KH\ DUH DOVR SDLG VR OLWWOH WKDW RQH But there is a special breed among these interns. famous ex-legislative assistant made a fortune on her di$ VSHFLDO JURXS RI LQGLYLGXDOV NQRZQ IRU being the best of the best asskissers this nation has to offer. These special individuals are Congressional interns. Native Washingtonians call them “the Hill rats.” We just call them “assholes.” 0DQ\ DUH NLGV ZKR MXVW DUHQ·W WDOHQWHG HQRXJK WR ÀQG UHDO MREV LQ ' & ,PDJLQH D group of not-too-intelligent, promiscuous Whether in Ann Arbor or DC, still useless. GUXQNV ZLWK HJRV WKDW FRXOG ÀOO D VZLPming pool even though their excessive selfDU\ WXUQHG QRYHO DERXW KRZ VKH ZKRUHG KHUVHOI RXW WR LPSRUWDQFH LV WDNHQ IURP WKHLU PHDQLQJOHVV ZRUN 7KHQ various staffers around the Hill. LPDJLQH WKH SHRSOH WKDW ZRUN IRU WKHP 7KHVH ZRXOG EH $W WKH ERWWRP \RX ÀQG LQWHUQV ZKR LQ QR ZD\ Congressional Interns. represent the underprivileged due to their pro-bono asThe irony about the internship market in D.C. is sistance and high cost of DC living. The most exciting that perhaps the most respected and recognizable posi- thing interns get to do is giggle amongst themselves at tion to non-insiders is being a Congressional Intern. But VRPH RI WKH ORRQV ZKR ZULWH LQ ² DQG WKHQ VLJK DQG FRQLW·V LQ WKH QRQ +LOO MREV ZKHUH \RX DFWXDOO\ JDLQ PHDQLQJ- tinue to open an endless pile of constituent letters. Or ful experience. PD\EH LW·V VWDQGLQJ LQ OLQH IRU VHFXULW\ ZLWK D WRXU JURXS Contrary to our nation’s commitment to equality, WZLFH GDLO\ ² DQ\WKLQJ WR JHW RXW RI WKH RIÀFH

BY NICK CHEOLAS, ‘07, AND MICHAEL O’BRIEN, ‘08

Within the district, there is little prestige or respect for Congressional interns. There’s nothing special about WKHP KXQGUHGV URDP WKH &DSLWRO ZRUNLQJ IRU WKHLU UHSresentative or a committee. Some haul coffee, others hold Chuck Schumer’s coat, some pull his chair out, and RWKHUV OD\ RQ WKH JURXQG LQ IURQW RI KLP ZKHQ LW UDLQV VR KH GRHVQ·W KDYH WR JHW KLV VKRHV ZHW 2I FRXUVH WKLV JUXHOLQJ ZRUN UHTXLUHV a thorough vetting by the application process. In fact, the application for southern 5HSXEOLFDQ FRQJUHVVPHQ QRZ FRQVLVWV RI D photo AND bust line measurements. Sure, WKRVH QHFN XS VKRWV XVHG WR ZRUN EHIRUH EXW QRW DQ\ ORQJHU &RPSHWLWLRQ LV ÀHUFH – only the best are admitted. Congratulations, your dad is a major donor to Rep. Jeb %UDGOH\ <RX·UH QRZ TXDOLÀHG WR EH D &RQgressional intern. 7KHVH LQGLYLGXDOV DUH EDFN LQ FROOHJH QRZ SRSXODWLQJ *UHHN KRXVHV DOO DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ ZLWK VNLOOV WKH\ OHDUQHG DW &RQJUHVVLRQDO UHFHSWLRQV )RU WKRVH ZKR haven’t experienced one, receptions are characterized E\ WKH FRPLQJV DQG JRLQJV RI IUHH ORDGLQJ LQWHUQV ZKR gorge themselves on the free booze and food and then OHDYH IDVWHU WKDQ NLGV DW D SDUW\ ZKR ÀQG RXW WKH NHJ KDV run out. MR

P. 12

Faceoff

9.19.06

Student Activism: Worthwhile or Waste? Michigan is known worldwide as a bastion of social and political activism. But what is the role of activism on campus? Is VWXGHQW DFWYLVP DPRQJ JURXSV DQG LQGLYLGXDOV ZRUWK WKH VWUXJJOH RU D ZDVWH RI WLPH" ,V DQG VKRXOG DFWLYLVP EH D GH¿QLQJ charactersitic at the University of Michigan? The Michigan Daily and Michigan Review face off on the role of student activism.

BY BRIAN BIGLIN, ‘08 - CONTENT EDITOR, MICHIGAN REVIEW

t has been made painfully clear by some of the far-fetched student groups at this university, or perhaps, by the Michigan Student Assembly, that student activism has had the ‘active’ taken out of it. There are hundreds of well-intentioned student groups at this university, but it is not unfair to say that some do far more good than others. There is certainly a lesson to be learned from the organizations which are active, but may be overshadowed by those that are just loud. Drawing a distinction between different types of ‘activism’ is important. First of all, let’s make clear that most Diag protests cannot accomplish much, but rather give self-satisfaction to students who are looking for a release of their ‘activist’ energies. Activism as currently manifest on this campus is more of an act of self-indulgence, and a cry beckoning the attention of others, than it is any concrete contribution to the University community. No one can stop a student or group of students from making their views about the evils of Israel or the Coca-Cola Corporation or Dick Cheney known; but, while these people are the most outspoken (despite usually getting ignored by students rushing to class), they, without question, have less power to effect change than their fellow students signing up to do service work in the inner city, or an alternative spring break trip. The point being, most of the substantial work that can be done to effect change in this world, can and should be done in the real world, not on the Diag with loudVSHDNHUV 0XFK RI WKH JORULÀHG ¶VWXGHQW DFWLYLVP· LV UHDOO\ MXVW D QRVWDOJLF DWWHPSW DW impersonating the protests of the last generation. Being active and making a difference is, in fact, inglorious. But true service to others—and a true dedication to change and justice in this world—must be borne of a sense of humility and conviction that does not draw attention to one’s action for the sake of it. The truth of the matter is students are much more enabled to do things that could change the world after they leave this university, empowered by a degree. Political student activism, while not having as much direct impact as hands-on activism, still has a place. The question remains: what is the difference between a Diag SURWHVW DQG D VLPSOH OHWWHU WR D FRQJUHVV SHUVRQ" $QG ZKHQ DUH PDVVLYH GHPRQVWUDWLRQV ZDUUDQWHG" ,W LV D SUREOHP ZKHQ SURWHVWLQJ DQ DQWL DIÀUPDWLYH DFWLRQ PHDVXUH is compared to the actual civil rights movement of the 1960s. In this case, a misunderstanding of major issues on all levels causes ‘activists,’ in their self-righteousness, to elevate themselves to inappropriate levels. Posing nude or in undergarments, with ambiguous allegations towards the producers of University apparel is not tantamount to liberating women from the daily drudgery of housework. It is nothing less than an act of hubris for student activists to assume it so. The distinction is between being “active” and being an “activist.” Being an activist is accomplishing nothing but smug self-satisfaction when MSA passes meaningless resolutions (wasting time, no less) condemning the War in Iraq, against the Coca-Cola Corporation, or calling for divestment from Israel. Being active is getting out in the world and accomplishing something tangible. It is spending thirty hours on one’s feet raising money for a children’s hospital at Dance Marathon, or it is helping facilitate an American Red Cross blood or bone marrow drive at the Union. Or maybe, it is even stopping in for twenty minutes, and donating blood yourself. Apathy is the opposite of what we need. While possibly not very productive, student activists are far from apathetic—that, if small, is something to their credit. They are motivated and always thinking and they are making their thoughts known. But some of them stop at this, while some people get their hands dirty. The real students activists, deserving of the most praise (yet never making news headlines because of stunts in the Diag), are the ones who are active. If you have ever taken an alternative spring break, worked at a Habitat for Humanity building site, or volunteered for a Detroit Project activity, you have put your talents to good use and have helped others. MR

BY EMILY BEAM, ‘07 - EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR, MICHIGAN DAILY

n the middle of the Vietnam War, members of the Inter-Faith Council for Peace wanted to dig a “bomb crater” on the Diag that would represent what was taking place in North Vietnam as a result of U.S. intervention. To the surprise of many, University President Robben Fleming didn’t interfere, reasoning: “It’s not a big job to throw the dirt back in the hole after they get tired.” Indeed, the dirt was eventually put back in place, and today no trace of the gaping hole in the center of campus remains. But even without concrete physical evidence that yes, activists were here, the impact of student-led protests against the Vietnam War continued to resonate long after students took off their armbands and set down their signs. The contributions of past activists have had no small effect on the present University experience. It was angry graduate students and their supporters that led reluctant University administrators to negotiate a contract with the Graduate Employees’ Organization. It was the Black Action Movement that pushed the University to address low minority enrollment, as well as led to the creation of the Center for African-American Studies and the dedication of Trotter House. That University committees ranging from the Dispute Review Board to the LSA Curriculum Committee have spots reserved for students did not come about from administrators’ benevolence — students long ago demanded a say in how their university was run. Today it is easy to suspect that student activism has been reduced to joining a Facebook group or holding a bucket drive. Though the Diag continues to be the center stage of student activism on campus, it is more frequently home to teeter-tottering Greeks than massive rallies. Current students, perhaps too worried about getting into grad school or putting together a stellar resume, rarely show the force that characterized student activism in the 1960s and 1970s. But just because student activism today is in many ways a shadow of its former self doesn’t imply that it is not present or that it has no place on campus. Recent years have shown that students are still capable of organizing and making change. Student opposition killed the couch ban three summers ago, and student pressure helped bring about the city’s new lease-date’s ordinance. And where there haven’t been results – student activism was disappointingly ineffective stopping the U.S. invasion in Iraq, for example – there is still potential. As students mobilize now in support of or against the 0LFKLJDQ &LYLO 5LJKWV ,QLWLDWLYH WKH\ KDYH WKH FKDQFH WR LQÁXHQFH WKH FRXUVH RI WKHLU university and the state. As students, we have an obligation to address the problems that plague our society and the world. We can volunteer our time to lessen the blow societal inequalities have on individual lives. But while tutoring a child in math may help him do better in school, it won’t convince the Legislature to equalize per-pupil funding across the state. Rebuilding houses in New Orleans will help restore a neighborhood, but it won’t resolve the gross inequalities that heaped the brunt of the devastation on the city’s poorest residents. The most effective way to bring about lasting social change is by altering the very system that creates those inequalities and injustices that offend our sense of what is right. Individual service can extend beyond the act of volunteering by raising public awareness and forging bonds between communities, but it is far more powerful when accompanied by loud voices unwilling to stand for the status quo. It is simply unwise to trust that administrators, politicians and policymakers automatically know what’s best. Relying solely on authority to determine the common good would have made the Civil Rights Movement, among other things, impossible, and would have resulted in a radically different University experience. Activism has been, and continues to be, an effective means of holding policymakers accountable and of demanding certain rights or societal changes. The act of waving a sign can’t do much, if anything, to change things. But the power of large groups of students armed with signs has proved and will remain a potent foe of authorities reluctant or unwilling to take action.