vol_7_no_3

Page 1

~. "'!~ t'"

Ii

.~

II&;

U·••; " _

' if -

ili -' ~·- ~"SMf~...,.,.~ ........,...,..K ..,._.,, '.r,. ".'~>r< ...,.->_~"" .,_. "'. ~ ..,_._... ,..... "". ~ ~..:.:.:.."-........ "'_ . ~ .~,-.,~

...... .._............ .

THE G - - -' Volume 7, Number 3

November 1988

U-M Student Government Where 'ls It Now? Where Is. I Going? Review Forum: ,: :Secede from MSA. Interview: MSA Presi'dent Michael Phillips Is Student Gov't _P,oweryBeing Shifted?


,_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _..

..,"'~~~~,~~'~::'>C,~,

The Michigan Review 2

November 1988

THE MICHIGAN REVIEW

Serpent's Tooth The Mic higan Daily canceled the gridiron match we were supposed to play on Sunday, Nov. 6. We understand if the Daily felt intimidated. However, the Review will gladly rechallenge the Daily to play on a new date.

The Daily, in a recent editorial, called for the substitution of the discriminatory aCL~ policies with a "community-run .Code." Who belongs to this "community," the Daily Opinion Page staff? Talk about power grabs!

Here's some headlines off the Diddly Wire Service:

tion Peace Declared in Central America Nations Express Thanks to MSA for Its Efforts

On Thursday, Nov. 3, while UCAR and other groups were protesting the Daily's "biased" coverage, a member of the Review witnessed a verbal clash between three Daily staffers and two protesters. After the two protesters told the Daily staffers in a raised voice how devoted they were to making the Daily journalistically responsible, the two protesters approached the Review staffer and pleaded with him to not print what they had said. So much for their commitment to responsible journalism!

A College Daily Newspaper Says 'Just Say No' to Journalistic Ethics A College Daily Newspaper Says There Are 57 Fascists in the Administration Building, or Was It 94?

To the person who wrote, "F- you fascists," on the Review sign outside theReview office, we have one piece of advice: Get a life.

A College Daily Newspaper Staff Stages Unsuccessful Coup Against Administra-

The Review is issuing a reward for infor-

mation leading to the arrest of the Samurai warrior who cut issues of the October Review in half at the Student Publications Building.

After being interviewed on national television during the gridiron game against Indiana, President Duderstadt and Regent Roach decided to forget "the education thing" and go after the jobs of announcers Keith Jackson and Bob Griese.

When Dean Steiner announced he would be resigning next September, many claimed he was leaving due to pressure from anti-racist groups last year. They neglected to mention, however, that Steiner said three years ago that he would be leaving at that time.

A belated congrats to Editor Emeritus Seth Klukoff, who picked the Boston Red Sox to win the AL East in the March-April of the Review. As for Oakland, New York, and L.A.....

DON'T

BE

A TEST

TURKEY. TO PAY FOR COLLEGE. BUT ONLY IF YOU'RE GOOD ENOUGH. Army ROTC scholarships pay tuition and provide an allowance for fees and textbooks. Find out if you qualify.

i

ABMYBOTC THE SMAmST COWGE COURSE YOU CAN TAKE. '

Find out more. Call Captain O'Rourke at 764-2400 or vi sit 131 North Hall.

Editor-in-Chief Marc Selinger Executive Editor

Mark Molesky Arts Editor Jennifer W9rick

Publisher David Katz Associate Publisher Vicky Frodel Personnel~anager

Ryan Schreiber

RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS

YOUR UNCLE WANTS

The Campus Affairs Journal of the University of Michigan

\\lH,~ t~-) ~nulj'"

l} ;:

t' I~·;·r' ... ,t

,. t :I

,t "

I t~R [

n,t·

'. tt

, 11

LSAT.

d, ,,1 i i'~

lilt·

!l~''-': !,'~,! ;,rt·~, ~Jr,)~ t~

! ~. • I

Seth Klukoff Staff Maria Ansari, Mark Binelli, Karen Brinkman, Judy Cheng, Rick Dyer, Susan Ellis. Stacey Farb, Brian Gambs, Stephen George, Joshua Green, Maria Greene, Ann-Nora Hirami, Ed Jacobs, Ash Jain, Jeffrey Leiman, MauLund, Dana Miller,John Miller, Carol Nahra, Rannie O'Halloran, Jim Ottevacre, Anjali Prasad, Mali Purkayastha, Dan Shonkwiler, Perry Shorris. Michael Stanish, Adolf "the Worm" Svidrygaylov, John Transue, Steven Weiss, Bob Wierenga, Brian Woerner, Chau-YeWu

tt"l' STliit:rr

,,! l"d'l~", ;·t' :1 If' ::,:"'T,

C,\1;.T

Editor Emeritus

',l~ "

~\.,:! ~!.jrt r ; ;~ -'!

• 'l "

:

Illil',~j!~Jj~j.1

The Michigan Review is an independent, non-profit student journal at the University of Michigan. We welcome letters and articles and encourage comments about the journal and issues discussed in it. We are not affiliated with any political party. Our address is:

Don't take chances-TAKE KAPLAN. Enroll riow ... before the upcotmng holidays!!!

Suite One 911 North University Ann Arbor, Mich. 48109 (313) 662-1909

Call 662·3149 today.

Copyright 1988

203 E. Hoover - Ann Arbor


ad

_tfW~W't(tHaI"~lil\f ii!iil""''fflM''·f!;<;\llll'·''·''''''w.<d.!.t,o.,... "-... \,_,~,<"<"""",,,,

The Michigan Review

November 1988

3

From the Editor

The Daily Jettisons Journalistic Ethics Student journalists, like professional journalists, have many ethical standards to follow. These include avoiding slander, checking facts for accuracy, and being objective. But the rule that those who cover the news should not also make the news is one which often receives attention on college campuses. Take the Dartmouth Review, a conservative student publication at Dartmouth College. On Jan. 21, 1986, members of the Dartmouth Review demolished shanties erected by anti-apartheid activists and received a great deal of media attention. Even though the shanties may not have deserved legal protection, the Dartmouth Review clearly overstepped the boundary between reporting news and making news. The University of Michigan has its own version of the Dartmouth Review: the Michigan Daily. Although at the opposite end of the ideological spectrum, the Daily has, on several occasions, violated this basic principle. The most notable example of the Dai/y' s transgressions occurred on Thursday, Oct. 6, when several Daily staffers protested outside Hill Auditorium during President James Duderstadt's inauguration and were arrested after they tried to enter the invitation-only ceremony. Many people were

shocked by the behavior of these Daily staffers, but none of this should have come as a surprise. After all, the Daily has tried to attract new personnel by printing the caption, "Be a Part of the News-Join the Michigan Daily Staff." Yet in response to the uproar over their transgressions of journalistic ethics, the Daily not only refused to reprimand staffers for their misconduct. but changed its own rules to accomodate such irresponsible behavior. LSA senior Melissa Ramsdell, who was city editor of the Daily at the time of the protest. told theAnnArbor News that theDaily"respect[s] the rights of [its] staff mem bers to act as mem bers of the community." On Tuesday, Oct. 13. the Daily printed its "new staff policy":

Anyone can write for any part of the Daily even ifthey are involved in political or anti-racist groups on campus in any capacity. News reporters may not write about events in which they are actively participating or organizing. Daily News can include quotes from people who work for the Daily and are members of other organizations. This policy clearly contradicts the admission by most, if not all, professional

journalists that they should report and not make the news. To verify this, I spoke to members of the Ann Arbor News, the Detroit Free Press, and the Detroit News. All three of them said their newspapers forbid their reporters from engaging in potentially news-making political activities. For example, according to Mike Maharry, metro editor of the Ann Arbor News, "reporters must refrain from involvement in political activities." He also cited an instance several years ago when an Ann Arbor News reporter was told he would have to leave the newspaper if he decided to run for the Ann Arbor City Council. Indee<L the Code of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. says, "Secondary employment, political involvement, holding public office, and service in community organizations should be avoided if it compromises the integrity of journalists and their employers. Journalists and their employers should conduct their personal lives in a manner which protects them from conflict of interest, real or apparent" After reading this, aIlyone could see that a cardinal rule for journalists is to avoid making the news. The Daily apparently believes that this rule is not followed by professional newspapers. In an editorial, "Freedom of the

Press" (Daily. Oct. 24, 1988), the Daily cited a case in which the Free Press reported on a photographer "arrested while taking pictures of a fire. However, the Daily missed an important distinction: The Free Press staffer was arrested while attempting to do his job, while the Daily staffers were arrested on their own time and while participating in a political activjty. The Daily staffers went out of their way to make the headlines, whpe the Free Press photographer made heac\lines without intending to do so. As long as the Daily continues to allow its reporters to be politically active. it will be ignoring the boundary between reporting the news and making the news. And while it does that, it cannot be considered a serious publication.

~~' Marc Selinger is a junior in political science and the editor·in·chid or the

Michigan Review.

CONTENTS Serpent's Tooth From the Editor From Suite One: Editorials Letters to the Editor

2 3

l.Habla Ud. EspaOOl?, by Steven Weiss Should the Greek System Be Integrated?, by Carol Nahra

4 6

Q1I The Changing Character of Ann Arbor, by Brian Woerner

~gI~t

Stoo:

10 11

12

Student Ggyemment

RevuwForum Secede from MSA, by Bryan Case Interview: MSA President Michael Phillips Is Student Gov't Power Being Shifted, by John Miller

SJwm 5

Recruiting the 'Champions of the West', by Ryan Schreiber

8 9

AI:ls Profile Symphony Director Carl St Clair, by Ian Beilin

Campus Alaia A Loot Back at Nov. 22. 1963, by Ash Jain Cover Photo by Ed Jacobs

'

7

,~,:

Where the Review Gets Its Money, by Adolf Svidrygaylov

13

14 15


~~

..

a*SI:,*,If:i~:II

IoiiiIIi:I

_

m.l~:&垄

A.~~I!~~~~,_>&~..."""""

November 1988

The Michigan Review 4

From Suite One: Editorials

Oppose the Mandatory Class on Racism An Orwellian specter has descended upon the students of the University of Michigan. It appears that the mandatory class on racism, debated for so long, may in fact become a reality in the fall for incoming LSA freshmen. While the stated goal of such a class - to provide a greater atmosphere of racial tolerance - is laudable, the tacit message it sends to students concerning their character, the proposed content of the course, as well as the manner in which it is being created, are offensive. First of all, in instituting such a class, the administration will be admitting that it does not believe that the students of this university possess the ethical standards sufficient to interact with those of another race. While inothe past there have been racial incidents of varying degrees, it is evident that the perpetrators represent a very small minority. The hypersensitivity of the Michigan Daily notwithstanding, the overwhelming majority of this student body is not racist. In fact most students strongly deplore acts of denegration and exclusion on the basis of race. To force students tp pay hundreds of dollars for their alleged moral deficiencies uncovers not only a gross misreading of the character of most students by the administration, but also a contempt for the ability of students to make their own moral choices. It appears that the administration, through its faith in the necessity and ultimate effectiveness of such a 'class, is actually trivializing the issue of racism. While most complex moral issues are left to the individual's power of reason as he interacts with society, the solution to racial problems, in the eyes of the administration, apparently cannot be solved in this manner. While many classes deal with questions of morality, the role of the professor is confined to helping the student ask those important questions of himself. But in the case of a mandatory class on racism, professors will, judging on

i

the POlitical nature of the class, have taken on the added responsibility of promoting a single doctrine - the party line if you will. Racial tolerance will have ceased to be a question of moral choice and will have become a product of indoctrination. An individual's values evolve over a long period of time, as lessons are learned through interaction with one's peers, friends, and society. Can students really be assured thalcertain professors and teaching assistants of whonl they know little can provide them with the moral foundation that, in the eyes of the administration, their parents, relati ves, and clergy have failed to instill in them? Does the administration seriously believe that a one semester course will have such a profound effect, if any, on the behavior of its students? And if so, will students one day have to contend with mandatory classes on sexism, homophobia, and ethnocentrism ad 1ILUlSewn? ", Furthermore, the fact that the United Coalition Against Racism (U(;AR) and certain faculty groups are solely responsible at this point for the formation and content of the class makes one skeptical as to how much freedom students will actually have to explore their own beliefs, especially if they happen to run counter to the views of their instructors. Such an emotionally loaded issue like racism, combined with the obvious bias of the parties involved in its creation,lead one to ask whether many students, under the threat of poor grades, will be coerced into parroting the "correct" stands on affumative action, busing, and other issues. Why does the administration perceive such a racially intolerant student body? Why has the administration accepted only the leadership of UCAR arid these faculty groups over all the others, including this journal? Why have not other organizations joined in the condemnation of this form of thOught control a la Big Brother? Why indeed? Winston Smiths of the world unite!

Free Speech Goes Both Ways A stUdent is sitting in a movie theater watching a documentary. The person sitting next to him suddenly stands up and in a loud voice starts diSputing a claim made in the movie. The result is that everyone in the theater is unable to watch the movie and is forced to listen to the views of someone with whom they mayor may not agtee. Is this free speech? A student goes to the library and checks out a book. She sits down to read it and notices that someone else has made notes in the margins every time that person disagreed with a position taken by the author. Although she sometimes agrees with the positions taken by the book's previous borrower, the marginal comments have become so numerous and lengthy that many of the author's words are no longer legible, leaving the reader unable to discover the author's point of view. Is this free speech? , " n IirOOth the a60vecases, the answer to the posed question is clearly ~no." In both eases, an illdividual has taken the initiative to seek out another's point of view,.only to be prevented from making his own judgment by another who has seen fit to impose his point of view on everyone else under the guise of First Amendment pI'OteCb.On. These examples mayal fllSt seem out of place in a discussion of free speech on campus, but they draw attention to the more controversial question of free speech for protesters. The argument usually made by campus protesters is that the First Amendment gives them the right to disrupt a forum in <Xder to provide the audience with an alternative view to the one being presented by the speaker. The implicit assumption in this argument is that the speech of the protesters is of greater value than the speech of the speaker. The problem with Ibis argument is that it distorts the meaning of the VIl'St路 Amendment If a student on camJXIS attends a speech which has been advertised in advance, it is likely that he does so in order to hear the speaIcer's point of view. Nothing prevents those students who disagree with the speaker from inviting a person of an opposing view to speak on campus, thereby allowing students to hear both points of view

and draw their own conclusions. The arrival of people such as Alexander Cockburn, Angela Davis, and El~ Smeal to speak on campus would seem to indicate that people with non-mainstream political views have had the opportunity to speak on this campus. Oddly, speakers of this kind never seem to have their speeches interrupted by campus protesters; Any student who would have attempted to do so would have quickly been labeled (respectively) a fascist, a racist, arid a sexist. The effect of the protests made by students whose views lie largely on the left end of the political spectrum is to stifle a free and open debate of ideas on this campus. Speakers, such as Vice President George Bush, who represent more conservative viewpoints often cannot be heard over the mucus created by the protesters or are so intimidated by protesterS that theyeithercancel their speaking engagements or refuse to accept invitations to speak in. the fll'St place. The result is an intellectually ~n atmosphere 00 campus where Me viewpoint reigns supreme. Thus. the protesters' claim of First Amendment PR*Ction is a hollow one. 'I'here is no restriction on any group's1lbility to invite speakers to campus so that they may air their views. The First Amendment does not, however, permit people to disrupt others' attempts to do the same when the content of someone's speech is found to be objectionable by a vocal minority of students. The U-M Boaro of Regents has adopted a policy which seeks to baJaooe the rights of speakers with those of protesters and has ~o.deputized two U-M Department of Public Safety off'tem to enforce this policy. . 'I'IIe U-Madministration sbouldstand up Cortheprincipleoffreespeecb for all, and use lite resources ofcampus secwity 10 enforce this policy by disbanding protests which threaten the rights of unpopular people, to speak as wen as Ibe rights of their audiences to hear and judge that speech. The ent'Ortement of this policy shoold not, however. involve the arrest of protesters once they have peaceably been removed. The only circumstances under which the deputized security officers should arrest protesters is when the protesters refuse to leave peacefully.


tll•• lJ tat!!lIIWuOOJ.

_$

'~~~';";~_~l'~~"'~"'C4>~"~"""""""w'"'':''''''''''''''l'lt<'ml'''''''w' ' ''''

The Michigan Review

November 1988 5

Review Forum

Secede from MSA

by Bryan case

To bring about change in a democratic political system, one may use the democratic process to create a different political situation. However, if the political system is not democratic, unusual methods are necessary in order to bring about change. The Michigan Student Assembly is unsatisfactory to the majority of stUdents at the University of Michigan. The assembly is not a truly democratic body. Therefore, one must leave the MSA system and seek solutions elsewhere. I. What is wrong with MSA? We can find no one problem with MSA, and no one solution to solve the complex of weaknesses and failures which characterize "the central student government" at the U-M. . Yet we can generalize and observe that a core problem is that of a great gap between MSA and the student body. Several examples of this must be revealed and examined. MSA is separated from the majority of students at the U-M by the ideology it expresses and the agenda it acts upon. This verges on uttering what has become a commonplace cliche. Yet the problem is so serious that it requires reiteration and sober reflection. MSA is dominated by a clique of student politicians, most recendy centered OIl the Students First Party. This group espouses a political ideology easily characterized in the American political spectrum as hreral to left wing. This cadre uses its power over MSA to issue resolutions. stage demonstrations, and otherwise

act to express this agenda and to further its cause. This is not an unusual phenomenon in politics. However, the views of this clique are clearly not those of the entire student body. Perhaps a majority of students did not want LSA Dean Peter Steiner removed from office. MSA did not.care; it did not ask. MSA supported the boy~ott of classes on Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. Yet most students went to class on that day, graphically demonstrating the gap between themselves and the organization that purports to act in their interests. One standout ideological difference between MSA and the majority of students at the U-M is on the issue of computers. Most students use computers for a wide range of activities, from programming to word processing to conferencing with other students. MSA, however, lags behind. The assembly refuses to employ computers to any serious extent "Representatives rarely use the MTS mail system, an extremely efficient and helpful tool, to communicate with each other. The assembly ignores the many MTS conferences wherein an enormous amount of discussion on and criticism of MSA occur. The chance for a sizable improvement in communications, expression, and overall efficiency is ignored by MSA. The assembly could improve its image among the students in Ann Arbor. But MSA continues to be the laughingstock of innumerable student discussions. Other student governments. such as the Residence Hall Association and the Engineering Council, dislike the coldness and hostility which MSA sometimes expresses when dealing with them. Many students are simply unaware of the activities of MSA. ~s distancing between students and their government is crucial to understanding the lack of change within MSA. ll.

Given the serious problems enumerated

Corrections Serpent's Tooth (Review, Ocl1988) erroneously attributed the statement, "Let's go kick some a-," to "The Republican Force" newsletter of the College Republicans. In fact, the source mentioned was a model for the College Republicans' basic newsletter. Material contained in it was meant to flIl space and not to serve as actual articles. The article 'The U-M Museum of Art" (Review. Ocl,1988) erroneously referred to Mary Jane Johnson. the museum's associate coordinator of publicity andmembetship. as Mary Jane Watson. The editorial "MSA Can Redeem Itself' (Review. Ocl 1988) erroneously referred to Regent Philip Power (D-Ann Arbor) as Regent Powers. '

above, the logical response in a democracy is to run for offices and to press for change . from both within and without. Yet this is not the case with MSA. Its isolation from the student body has bred a concomitant defensiveness. The cliql1e that dominates MSA will tenaciOUsly defend its power, with litde regard for fairness or even the rules it professes to obey. First of all, as I showed above, MSA restricts its existence to the very narrow segment of public opinion composed solely of those students who agree with MSA. The activities of the assembly have bred an apathy among students that produces low election turnouts. To be certain, some students are almost invincibly apathetic, simply not caring about campus issues. But a great number of students at the U-M have simply refused to have anything more to do with an organization that shows them so little regard. Someone who dislikes boats is unlikely to join the Rowing Gub. Similarly, an MSA that ref~ to heed the opinions of others is unlikely to interest someone who would like to see his ideas expressed in a public forum. Consequently, many students do not vote in the twice-yearly MSA elections. The electorate, therefore, shrinks to a tiny group of voters, the majority of which agrees with MSA's previously expressed agenda and wishes to see it continued and furthered. Secondly. the clique at MSA fights any opponents with a tenacity that can exceed both a sense of fair play and its own election guidelines. Biased members of the assembly tried to deny Rackbam graduate student and longtime MSA critic Steve Angelotti a seat on the assembly by miscounting votes. This fraud was eventu;Uly reversed by several recOlUlts and Angelotti was allowed to take the seat which he had fairly won (Michigan Review. "In the Belly of the Beast," March-April 1988). Organized opposition parties are especially attacked by the MSA clique. Considering both the long catalogue of such incidents and the length of this article, I shall describe my own experience in running for office. In the fall term ofl987. the Change Party ran a set of six candidates for seats on . the assembly (I was one). We were 0pposed by candidates from the ruling Students FltSl"art>.'. That our opponents outspent us by a ridiculous proportion illustrates the difficulties newcomers have in winning positions in MSA. That our posters were defaced and tom down. that these posters were removed and replaced on illegal surfaces, such as Fishbowl windows.

J'.

and that Students First "fact" sheets were allowed to accumulate on an election table show the unfairness and illegality of the ,Students First party. That as tudents First candidate was standing within several yards of an election site, handing out "fact" sheets to voters about to make their decisions - explicitly forbidden by the election' rules - loudly proclaims the arr0gance with which the clique strives to maintains its power hold over MSA. Given this environment hostile to democratic change, what options are a...ailable to students concerned about their representation on campus? Two alternatives are available. III.

The choice of students seems to be limited by the classic duality of reform versus revolution, of working within or WiLQouI the system. How can one go about effecting a democratic change in MSA? Students would have to assemble a very large party, with candidates for all seats and with a huge treasury. However, such a party would most likely stiU be dwarfed and certainly outspent by Students First or its current incarnation . Once the campaign began, this hypothetical party would run into further difficulties. It would oot violate campaign rules, yet its opponents would. Its candidates would have to watch their posters disappear mysteriously from kiosks and displays. Their efforts would be ridiculed and their ideas rudely assaulted. Worst of all, even if the election offICials relentlessly cracked down on illegalities. the clique would still feel free to cheal Its treasury could easily afford the highest fme that MSA could charge, which is under

$200. This new party would have to deal with the consequences of MSA' s failures. Students who do not care about MSA would largely be unwilling to listen to its politics and would-be politicians. Many would feel that they were wasting their votes, as the current group would most likely retain its power. And this hypothetical party certainly would not be able to convince the majority of the standard MSA electorate~ that is, MSA supporters - to change its mind and vote differently. Stt next pagt "..,I . .

1

t

,

.


",.,...,,,,,,..."'"

L e_~~t",~~'t~ ~~ ~~"·"'''''''''';,;''·'·''' :~..::.7:~:,:'~~~':;$~'1»:M$'''~Ii'~~'2.:.·:;,lil-~"i!(';;;':~::::::_ ,....'::':'.'f'::":

TheMlthtgalflteview~

"November' 19~8

6

Letters to the Editor A Few Words for Mr. Arouet I enjoyed the "News from Nowhere" piece in the October 1988 issue, except for a few minor glitches which weaken this otherwise fme satire (perfect for its function in the Michigan Review, but too heavy-handed to be good art). The allusions to the music and cultural oddities of the 1960s are uncalled for. Sure, the invocation and lampooning of mindless relativism is necessary and in keeping with the tone of the piece - that point is well taken - but the politicizing of music and "earth tones" here is really worthless, for a few reasons. First, by bothering to associate these

things with the Malandrians, the satiric target is reduced to those who actually worship "purple haze" and "mood rings," or in other words, to those so far left that they are almost falling off the political spectrum. Surely your publication woUld rather wake up the average, confused campus liberal. Secondly, the allusions are nauseatingly forced. Although slightly cute, their blatantness takes some of the fun and credibility out of the reading. Some sentences were only too obviously twisted to fit the authors faux witticisms. Also, even if the above considerations

Secede Continued from previous page

What about student appeals within MSA? Can a non-representative of MSA still press MSA for change? Hardly. Dissenting constituents are booed, laughed at, or ignored at Constituents' Time during regular meetings. Initiatives not sponsored by the ruling clique are stubbornly resisted. Worst of all is the telling response: "Well, why don't you run for a seat?" Which leads us back to the start and to powerlessness.

IV. There is another alternative. Students seeking expression and, change need not necessarily slam their heads against the wall of MSA indifference and hostility. Students can choose the one option that frees them of MSA' s traps while giving them expression and empowerment: independence. Let us suppose that a group of students declares their secession from MSA "representation.» They declare their intention to represent themselves and their opinions to the campus and elsewhere, if necessary. The advantages of this? The group could accurately assess and express its views, given the absence of MSA's restraining policies and machinery. Additionally, the group could make full use of technology to serve its purposes. The entire campus would suddenly be aware of a hitherto tmheard sector of student opinion. The Board of Regents would hear another voice; the media could look elsewhere besides MSA for student

views. What are the disadvantages of independence? MSA would despise and oppose the new group. But this would be no hardship to most opponents who are already inured to the attacks of the clique. Being small (to begin with) and new, the group might not receive the full media attention it would deserve, especially from the Michigan Daily. Yet these students are already a silent voice, a hushed dissent. Independence would at least grant them the chance for expression. Lastly, creating such a group would be a monumental task of organization. New structures would have to be devised, rules agreed upon, and an entire network of participants and alliances to be erected. Yet there are those who would relish such a task and stolidly overcome the worst difficulties of organization.

V. Today. we continually witness signs of MSA's difficulties and failures. Its clear separation from the student body is everywhere manifest. The passing of a code of student non-academic conduct demonstrates that the clique ruling MSA has been handily defeated by the regents on an issue dear to the assembly. Faced with an ongoing deterioration of "central student governrnent" at the U-M, students who hope for change may consider the above proposal and agree with it, using MSA'sownfavorite phrase against it: "Revolution, not reform." Bryan Case is a senior in history and English and a former MSA representative (1988). He resigned from MSA in protest or policies and actions enumerated above.

weren't valid, some of them simply don ' t work. The Malandrians "could finally get satisfaction"? Since when does that Roiling Stones song exalt the hippie ethic? The "Norwegan woods of Malandria"? Again the author is barking at the wrong tree. Please ask him to stop mixing art and entertainment into politics. Further, I'm sure some Review staffers enjoy this same music. Finally, keep Fran90is-Marie Arouet de Voltaire out of tIlis. Your offering is surely satire, and was obviously inspired by Can-

dide, but the structure, imagery and language have been inexplicably and undeniably filtered through the fairy tale genre. If you are gonna' do it, do it right. Don't get me wrong. I don't happen to disagree with the CfMX of Mr. Arouet's argument. I just think that he could have written it bener by addressing a more pertinent section of the campus, thereby sparing some innocent cultural deposits. Andrew Shaver

."To have data bouncing off a satellite isn't exactly news. "But when it's headlines and stories and color photos going to printing plants in..--.. 33dties, that is news; it's USAToday.

''The

.

satellite is Conters:' - --=-L v;~§i: . C;:r;.


U.'l

iii

t!!~ ,'"

1

~·.M!"~

tiMrjlill.~,t#~"r=~l!~'~'llti,,"-~ ~~,~-;,r:'''''''_'''''· ''''''''-''''~N'~\\."'''\~''>f''

November 1988 ' 7

The Michigan Review

Campus Affairs: History

A Look Back at Nov. 22, 1963 by Ash Jain "The goal of every American should be to make the United States a suonger and better country." President John F. Kennedy said these words in a speech beforell'1 enthusiastic Ann Arbor crowd in October of 1960. Three years later, he was dead, shot by an assaSsin on an early campaign swing through Dallas, Tex. This traumatic event, which occurred 25 years ago this month, provides an opportunity to look back at how the cam pus viewed the late president, as well as how it reacted to his untimely death. Nov. 22,1963. For students on campus in Ann Arbor, it wasa long-awaited Friday , one day before the big Michigan-Ohio State football game. But around 2:00 p.m . that day, the campus began to hear the news - John F. Kennedy , the 35th president of the United States, had been shot and killed. For those who lived through the event, it was a weekend they would never forget. Many college students deeply admired Kennedy, and they experienced his death as a personal loss. "Kennedy had a special affection with college students especially," says Sidney Fine, professor of American history. "It was his youth, his glamour..!.... they could identify with him." Kennedy was able to excite students, to make them feel that they had a compelling role to play in improving society. Ronald Inglehart, a political science professor, who was a student at the time, says that, "Kennedy was an idealist. Everything seemed so one-sided. But it was his intellectual appeal and his aspirations for

DANA MILLER/Review

warm-hearted government that captivated students. He was a symbol of our generation, and his assassination was a terrible disappointment." Students expressed their sadness openly. With the American flag on North University Drive flying at half mast, said the Ann Arbor News, one student stared up and burst into tears. Others walked across the Diag in stunned silence. Even students who opposed Kennedy's policies reacted wilh sorrow. While many conservatives on campus clisagreed with many of the policies of the New Frontier, and some Democrats found themselves upset over Kennedy's failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, all felt the tragic loss of their nation 's "young, dashing president," says pol itical science Professor John Kingdon. Such an event, adds Fine, "rranscends partisanship." As news of the president's death swept across campus, many teachers ended classes early that Friday afternoon so students could follow the news of the tragedy. The University of Michigan president at the time, Harlan Hatcher, had special televisions set up in the Michigan Union for students and faculty to catch the fastbreaking news. All three TV networks cancelled their regular programs and devoted the next three days to coverage of the assassination, including the funeral ceremonies. The Michigan-Ohio State game, meanwhile, was postponed and played in Ann Arbor the following weekend. On Monday, the day of the state funeral in Washington, D.C., the country virtually shut down in a day of tribute to the late president. Schools, banks, offices, and stores all across the nation remained closed for the entire day. On campus, classes were cancelled and memorial services were held that afternoon in Hill Auditorium, which over 4,000 students attended. Kennedy's legacy has had a lasting impact on politics. Political candidates today, including MassachusettS' Gov. Michael Dukakis, the Democratic presidential candidate, and .Incliana Sen. Dan Quayle, the Republican vice presidential candidate, often speak of ho~ Kennedy inspired them to pursue a life of public service. However, lhe passion and activ. ism on campus during the 1960presidential campaign lies in sharp contrast to this year's campaign. "There is no one dramatic issue," says Inglehart. "There is no

'r tl E

" ".(;", ~'<:'~.~" ·:t.' ..

-'w ",', ...

. \ \ '\ .\ H H () J< .\ E \\' ~ ExTRA

"

PRESIDENT IS SLAI

Kt'nne<iy f ~Ued By A......in

State Policeman PuUa Holdu)); Can't Say Why ; i''' ~1'''

In DallAl Street "' _ . _,.. . . . ...

, ~~ ~

4~

''''''P :l;r.,.",,,,,

.~,,"~,->.;,<{,

~I' ~"

... ~

-

'iIl« ~"'-'

"

~~-.: " ,:~,~",

' .<~

''"_ t ~

~»< .~ ,~,

. ... ......,.. ... ,

,

> ~...,.

""

'f, .. .j.»~w< .... ",

,~./ ~ t;..<~, :'~~

. ......-..:.-..... ...

~.;::~.~ ~ ~ :,:.~ ,:-

"'~' ''''<I~ -~ «~ ~.'. ,,>,> .,. •• • .&.<- ,,-

::'.

~

~.

- , ~.>

.

*,<f~" ~'...~,~ ~ <i!I.'1 '''''~

,....

~-:-=

...."

,..

,. '-'"

...

,"-~

~.~

,"" ,-,. ..............

----. .... -...'-..

<., ... . .. .., -

.... ,'

" ..... .. .. ,

~

t _

~

..... -

,._"'W . "".. ..... .

\~ ~

~ ".

'

......... " ••• ........:,v ... ....

-

I

..

• "... ~ ' ..., Mo.""" ... ,.. ",'" ..... ,- ...." .. ... ~.,'" .;." .... "" ~ ~

... .............."".'""' .'"

..,. ".'" ,

.....

"

,I. ....

....

~ ~

-....

. ,...., _

ED JACOBS /Review

Civil Rights Movement, no Cuban Missile Crisis, no Vietnam" to moti vale students to become politically involved. During Kennedy's time, there was a sense of a "good versus evil" position on the issues , and it brought more students into politics. Kennedy and his visit to the U-M are now memorialized by a plaque and a circular disc on the steps of the Union, where he delivered his famous Peace Corps speech in front of an enthusiastic crowd ofS,OOOin October 1960. Today, this memorial serves as a reminder of Kennedy's personal challenge to students to help developing nations in their war against poveny and injustice.

Events signifying the 25 years since Kennedy' s death include network television specials. CBS will be presenting a prime-lime show devoted to Kennedy on Nov. 17. Also, on Nov. 22, the Arts and Entertainment Network is planning to rebroadcast the first six hours of NBC's live coverage of the assassination and the events that followed it. Here on campus, many political groups, because of the upcoming election, have had no time to organize tributes, although the U-M College Democrats say they are still considering it Ash Jain is a sophomore in political science and a stafrwriter for the Review.

e Review! The Michigan Review Is Looking for Writers, Future Editors, Advertising Executives, Production Managers" and More. Call the Review at 662-1909.


l111i1

_

••

I~ _:!!~.li.',! .

_I:Iiitl_i$l'I~'f~~:<>::''''~':t~~~>';~~-:'<;'''4.'\'>l",~..rtj;.;~~..::''':::'' _>':'

,,,•• __ ~ ~ ~ ' ~':'_ 't.~ .. ~, .",., _...._. ~. .:: ""~~~,;" " _., .. ~~,.,,,, ~ ,,w.'" " ...,.. .. ,~, ' -,,,_ ,,,,

November 1988

The Michigan Review 8

Cover Story

MSA President Michael Phillips On We~nesday, Oct. 12, the,Review interviewed Michigan Student Assembly President Michael Phillips, an LSA senior. Phillips was elected president in March1988. He has servedon MSA since October 1986, and as chair of the Student Rights Committee (1987-88).

policy. When MSA said, "no code," a lot of people took that to mean "no policy" also, and that's one of the problems we had. Now you have MSA saying we support a

Review: What do you think has been your major accomplishment so far as president of MSA? Phillips: I'd say I'm keeping MSA alive. That's definitely a major acomplishment - keeping the [Board of] Regents from just cutting MSA out and reconstructing student government .... Review: MSA has often been criticized for addressing national and international issues. Why does MSA spend its time and money on issues which no student government can reasonably affect? Phillips: ... Usually whatever MSA does, believe it or not, is what most people want us to do. I would say nine times out of ten, what MSA passes [is supported] by the student body. What people call national or international resolutions are supported by the majority of students. Unfortunately, the [Michigan] Daily likes to highlight those instead of the bread-and-butter issues of what the committees do. Review: How do you know that the majority of students supports what MSA does on national or international issues? Phillips: I guess that's just my personal feeling of what people want. ... Usually people know who I am, and they tell me what they think very bluntly on the street or wherever. Any chance they get they'll say, "I thought that resolution was stupid, or I thought you should have · given more money to this." Review: H you had the feeling that people disagreed with what MSA was doing, would you change your voting record and get MSA to change because ortbat? Phillips: YeS, I think that would have to be the case. I think one example would have to be the code battle.... Our stance has been "nocode." Butwbenwewenttotheminority community and to women, they said they wanted to hear about the harassment

ED JACOBS/Review

harassment policy if it's done this way, [and] run by students, not administrators

Review: During the Sept. 27 MSA meeting, you and MSA Representative Wil· Iiam Holmes, [a graduate student in the School of Social Work], engaged in a prolonged argument marked by namecalling and profanity by both of you. Is this how student government leaders should act? Phillips: I think that was just a fair representation of government leaders everywhere. I can give examples of all types of governments that have had personal breakouts: [Vice President] George Bush and [Sen.] Robert Dole [R-Kan.J on the Senate floor arguing with each other, in Chile people shooting each other, [and] revolutions in Guatemala where they anack each other .... So I think MSA is a good reflection of the student body and of real politics

Review: MSA Vice President Susan Overdorf, [an LSA junior), recendy wrote an article to the Daily criticizing the Daily's coverage 01 MSA as unbalanced and distorted. Jr you agree with Overdorr, wby do you think tbe DaiJy has reported in this manner? Phillips: I definitely agree with Overdorf. I try not to write letters to the Daily because I ftnd it [to be] kind of useless. I think the Daily has gone downhill in its journalistic

"1 think the Daily is a lot like the National Enquirer. " ability.... I think it has a lot of internal problems that it won't try to address publicly because it is afraid it will embarass [itself]. [It] can't deal with those problems unless the public knows that there are problems. Everything Overdorf said in that letter was very accurate. I think the Daily is a lot like the National Enquirer in that it only likes to print what someone said, who said what, or how they said it Another problem with the Daily is that a lot of people there think, "It's my Daily." They don't want to consider their paper as the studen t body's. They want to consider iI as their personal playground to use as they wish .... The Daily [says), "Let's get it our way, and then if we want to put in some facts we can do that"

Review: What have you done or what do you intend to do to change the Daily's coverage?

Daily has a personal vendetta against Duderstadt and they just want to make sure that people are out there protesting, it's kind of a sad thing .... It just would show how out of sync the DailJ would ,be with the [U-M) if no one sho\\led up fo~ a rally [except for] 30 people from the Daily. Then it shouldn't have been "Students Protest Duderstadt." It should have been "Daily Protests Duderstadt" Review: The regents recently doubled the fee allocation for the school and college governments while it gave virtually no raise to MSA. Do you see ~tJis as an attempt by the regents to shift power away rrom MSA? Phillips: This summer, when we made the request for the dollar fee for school and college governments, and when we made our request for $6.48. the regents basically supported us .... [Regent Neal] Nielsen [RBrighton) first tried to give us a positive checkoff and that failed. Then, he ~oo to give $5.90 and that failed. Finally ... [Regent Thomas) Roach [D-Saline] said MSA hasn't been responsible this past year, so he said they should give us $6.28 - that's basically no increase - and see if that can show MSA that the regents have been upset with what MSA has done in the last year. Itook it as a sign not that MSA's power is being shifted, but just that the regents were upset with the actionsofMSA over the past year and that MSA should shape up or next time they would give us less money.

Phillips: Overdorf and I have talked to the people at the Daily, and also we've made a presentation to the executive officers of the [U-M) about the problems we have with the Daily, talking about the eight of 150 people of color. We feel that a lot of their artic les are slanted against minorities. We feel that they belittle issues of women's concern just by the way they write their articles and the way they present the paper. For example, they had a headline about sexual assault, and within the picture next to it dealing with another story it shows the buttocks of two sorority women. The Daily I don't really think is a good paper. None of the executive officers think it's a good paper. One of the things they told us . Review: What do you think is the relato do is talk to the Board of Srodent Publitionship between MSA and the school cations and just work more with theDaily and college governments? on a personal level to see what it can do to change. That's what we're doing right now Phillips: ... The more money the school and college governments have. the less money the [MSA] Budget Priorities Review: What do youtbink or tbe in· Commiuee has to give. We look to that as vol~~ent of Daily writers in the recent a blessing to us because it's just less work protest of-President lp1es Duderstadt' s for us. People don't rulve 10 come to MSA inaugqration? .... andconstandy ask for money when we can say. "LSA, Engineering, and Rackham Phillips: I think it's good if they were there" have double, and you can go to them and as individuals .... But if it's just that the take some of the burden off of us...


~ 1t

tHt ......'I~w'>lt.w;

N... ~ftiP"'''''~~'",'''''¢;>' ..'J . > . _¢

'-..'l~!(,',''''~~~j)¢l~~>,''*''',~~'''':~l'".""~,I>/,,,_,."'''

'''\ ...

The Michigan Review

November 1988

9

Cover Story

Is Student Gov't Power Being Shifted? by John Miller A shake-up in student government has occurred recently. Last summer the University of Michigan Board of Regents voted to give the Michigan Student Assembly only a 3 cem increase in its mandatory student fee, while they doubled the money alloued to the 16 individual school and college governments from 50 cents to S1 per term. Last April, the regents also passed a discriminatory acts policy for students and gave the power to appoint tribunal members to the school and college government rather than MSA. These actions have been perceived by many as a move by the regents to shift power away from MSA. The regents' displeasure with MSA in the past has been no secret - accusations of mi sbehavior and irresponsibility abound. Last year, for example, the regents criticized MSA, which considered spending hundreds of dollars on advertisements in high school newspapers claiming the U-M was a racist institution. MSA received $6.25 per teml from every student over the 1987-88 school year. When it came time for the regents to approve funding for the 1988-89 terms, MSA formally requested a $6.48 per term fee. After much debate, and after a 50 cent positive check-off proposal from Regent Neal Nielsen (R-Brighton) was rejected, the regents agreed to levy a $6.28 charge for MSA, an increase ofless than 1percent Taking inflation into account, MSA actually has less spending power this year than it did in the previous year. At the same time, the regents increased the allocations for school and college governments by 100 percent "Individuals and groups came to the regents for the funding increase to use for legitimate and appropriate purposes," said Nielsen, explaining the motives behind the regents' actions. He added that for much of last year, "MSA was wasting and squan-

dering money, and is oftentimes an undemocratic student government system." Barb Eisenberger, a senior in LSA and president of LSA Student Government, said that the increase was granted after a campaign on the part of the school and college governments. However, she added, "Maybe the regents have not been pleased with some of MSA's positions. We, on the other hand, are simply focused on college issues. Our money is used to help students, and we do our best to channel it directly back to them." While MSA spends much of its time arguing the virtues of sending money to a Jamaican relief agency or assisting Vietnam's agricultural endeavors, the school and college governments try to give back to the students what they receive. "Our projects benefit the entire university, as well as LSA students, through support of different organizations. And with all of the newly allocated funds, we can do even more in these areas, such as increasing cultural awareness on campus," said Eisenberger. Last year, the LSA Student Government supported the Native American Association, the Video Yearbook, the Michigan Joumal of Economics, and other organizations. LSA senior Bryan Case, who resigned from MSA in protest last March, is outspoken in his criticism of the assembly. "MSA does not care what students think, and it does not want to know," he said. "MSA only represents itself; the school [and college] governments.are much more responsive." In addition to the funding changes, the regents struck a blow against MSA last April by creating the policy on "Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment by Students in the University Environment" If an alleged discriminatory incident in· volving students arises on campus, the per-

PINION?

MSA

MSA 's performance in the eyes of the regents is at a crucial stage. sons involved are to appear before a hearing panel composed of four students representing the different school and college governments, as well as one tenured faculty member. Although the panel has no real power, and can only recommend punishments, MSA still has no influence on the body. However, MSA President Mike Phillips, an LSA senior, believes the guidelines of the new discrimination policy were not established to punish MSA. It is simply that "on paper, the school and college governments appear closer to their constituents," he said. MSA Representative Dan Tobocman, an Engineering senior and a member of the Engineering Council, said that the new school and college government money and the discrimination policy "are going to help us a lot more than they arc going to hurt MSA." Tom Hoy, an Engineering senior and secretary of the Engineering Council, said, "Our primary objective in getting the new funds, was to increase the cash flow for Engineering students. We felt the amount of money W~ were receiving [50 cents 1was trivial." Despite such claims, rumors of an attempt by engineers to secede from the assembly and have their MSA fees diverted into their own school government' s account have been circulating on campus. Nielsen said that certain regents were approached in private about the possibilities of breaking ti.es with MSA. According to MSA Representative Aaron Williams, a senior in Engineering and a member of the Engineering Council, a petition to secede was passed among engineers on April 20, the last day of school for spring term. "We got about 500 signatures, which is around 12 percent of the entire engineering student body. That is a larger ~entage than MSA. gets for its officer electWns~~: said Williams. In light of the school and college govern_ ment fundingfncrease, Williams does OOl consider breaking ties with MSA as important as he did several months ago. "However, if we had gone, we would

have created a domino effect among the other school and college governments. We would have taken them all with us," said Williams. '. 1 Williams will not rule out the possibility of secession in the future . "As an MSA representative, I will do what is in the best interests of Engineering students, whatever those interests may be," said Wil liams. Hoy said that he knows nothing of secession talks, but Case said that the "idea of secession has been banging around." Regardless of what drasli( mea~ures may be considered options among certain school and college governments, a somewhat surprising reaction to the new funding came from Phillips. "I think it was a good decision. It gives the students more money, and leaves less distribution at the MSA level. It is not a move away from MSA," he said, apparently believing that the increased allocation to school and college governments did not significantly cut into MSA's treasury. It is certainly too early to tell where these new funding allotments will lead, and whether they represent the beginning of a long-lasting trend. However. it is probably safe to say that MSA's performance in the eyes of the regents is at a crucial stage, especially if it ever wishes to expand its influence. or, for that maner, keep it from being deflated. The school and college governments will have to demonstrate their own merits as well.·' Judging from the past, the regents might revoke their new funding increase and divert it to other areas should the re. gents deem them irresponsible and wasteful. The ultimate winner of this debate will very likely be the student Such controversy will force the various student governments to constantly work at improving themselves. as the probing eye of the regents continually assesses their perfonn-

ances. JohllMiller is a freshman in LSA and a starr writer for the Rem,.,.


......~....

• • Ii

.1 iii

"........mwr

..

"$~'lollli"~P»~"""'''''''''_~_ '' :<,l,~,,';I~~\;;t!''~~''''t'''''~'~'' ''''''''_''''''''"';~''

h .' , • • , """"-" .. " '" ."

'."'''''.~

' >.'- ••>, "

.November 1988 '

The Mithigan"lleVi'eW ' 10

Campus Affairs: Academics

l,Habla Ud. Espaiiol? by Steven Weiss This fall, many new students at the University of Michigan were met with quite a surprise: Even though they had taken four years of a foreign language in high school, they were told that this did not exempt them from the foreign language requirement Starting this year, anyone entering LSA must take a placement test to determine whether he has achieved fourth-semester competence in a foreign language. If such competence is not demonstrated, the student must resume his foreign language studies at the level determined by the test As any profound change is apt to do, this new stipulation has created both benefits and drawbacks. What was the main reason behind LSA' s new policy? "Four years of seat time [in high school) - it doesn't mean much at all," said Thomas Kavanagh, the chairman of the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. He acknowledged that some high school language programs are excellent, but that standards vary from district to district. "Sometimes you spend a semester in Spanish learning to make seven different varieties of sangrilla." According to Charles Judge, director of the LSA Academic Counseling Office, the central issue was the need to establish "equity" among all LSA graduates. Since 1969, the U-M simply expected that entering freshmen who had received a C+ or better in their last two years of language in high school were on par with undergraduates who had taken four semesters at the UM. LSA hegan to reevaluate this assumption in the fali of 1985. ''There was noise at a lot of different levels," said Judge. "Most students after four years of high school had not achieved the expected proficiency." The LSA Curriculum Committee appointed a special subcommittee to study the matter. In the spring of 1986 the subcommittee issued a recommendation for a mandatory placement exam. The idea picked up momentum. Cliff Sjogren, the director of undergraduate admissions, conducted a study in which he predicted that scarcely 20 percent of the students who were exempted from further language study could boast the expected proficiency. Finally, in February 1987, the LSA faculty commitee made placement testing mandatory for all new students as of the fall semester of 1988. In the spring 1987, the task at hand was

thecon~tionofplacementtests. Some languages, such as Italian, had such a low number of students claiming proficiency that the U-M deemed it impractical to create standardized tests to screen them. These students could be evaluated individually in personal interviews. But larger programs, such as French and Spanish, had no choice but to put together comprehensiveexams that probed four years' worth of skills.

pated one-third. According to Kavanagh, the test standards are not arbitrary, but are based on the skills of U-M language students. "We are not using it as a vehicle to create demand where we want demand," he said. So theoretica1Iy, if a freshman knows as much French as a second-semester U-M student, he will demonstrate his knowledge on the test, and place into the second semester course. But nothing is ever so simple.

getting massacred." In reference to the placement test, a student who wished to remain anonymous said, "Basically, the grammar was not too bad. [But on] the oral section! got 30 percent" Even so, his score was "high enough to place me into [Spanish 232], when really I had no preparation. I've ended up staying," he added, for he wants to quickly get the requirement out of the way. In order to be done with Spanish, he needs to get';a C-. ''I'm hoping to do at least that well, but right now it doesn't look like it." Another problem that the U-MdeaJt with was maintaining teaching quality in the face of a massive influx of language students. Stuffing classrooms was clearly not the answer. Said Kavanagh , "I would like to see class size never go higher than 20." So, in the spring 1988, it was clear that the U-M was going to neeAl many extra teachers, but no one was sure exactl y how many . The only ·Nay to find out was the hard way: by administering the tests to the new baLCh of freshmen at their orientations. By about mid-July, Kavanagh said, they had a rough idea of how many they would need, but "the recruiting period for gnlduate students was over by that time." Strapped for teachers, the U-M turne{i to the Ann Arbor community. As Milne said, "Ann Arbor is a marvelous town in a linguistic sense." The U-M drew the requiroo personnel from the surrounding area - people who were no longer graduate students but who happened to have a thorough knowledge of a foreign language. These people received the title of lecturer and were hired to teach lecture sections of the standard size, which is between 20 and 25 students apiece. The U-M was lucky to find all the lecturers it needoo. "I was afraid we wouldn't, but we did," said Milne. The success of the search enabloo the U-M to staff a total of 172 sections for the first four semesters of French and Spanish, 30 more than in the fall 1987. Altogether, despite a few rattles and knocks, the U-M has built a functional machine. To put it in Kavanagh's terms: Not' a Yugo, but not yet a Cadillac, the intensified language requirement needs a little fine tuning before it can claim the fairness and efficiency that its creators desired.

.

.

~.~. ,

DANA MILLER/Review

Spanish Language Coordinator Mike Milne, who had assisted in setting up the Spanish placement test, listed the criteria that the department kept in mind: "Is the placement itself properly elaborated? Is it the proper tool? Is it administered properly? Are we sure of what we're testing for?" Kavanagh, emphasizing the care that went into creating and field-testing the exam, said, "We wanted a Cadillac rather than a Yugo." The resulting test proved challenging to most who took it Said Robert Langstrom, an LSA freshman who had four years of Spanish in high school and landed in thirdsemester Spanish at U·M, "I thought the test was really hard;_I was surprised I placed into this [high of a level]. I know of one Person that actually placed out." Langstrom added that portions of the test were so difficult that "people were not even writing down the answers." Reports of this nature were echoed by ' many other students. But contrary to popular perception, a large proportion did very well. According to Dr. James Kulik, research scientist at the U-M Center for Research on Learning and Teaching, 44 percent of those students who had taken four years of Spanish were exempted from further study. For those who had four years of French, the figure was 24 percent, slightly below the antici-

"This is from a teacher's point of view. Inevitably, there are people sitting in the class who shouldn't be there," said Milne. Some students deliberately do poorly on the test in order to place into a class in which they can earn an easy A. "No matter what test you give people, you can't safeguard against saridbagging." When such people succeed, not only does the U-M lament giving them hours of credit for very little work, but their effortless mastery of the material demoralizes those students who have never seen it before. The only defense, Milne said, is to keep teachers on the alert for students who have had the language before. In the Spanish program, for instance, suspected sandbaggers are sent to Milne for a personal interview. They often claim - sometimes quite legitimatel y - that they did not mastered the material before, but that they simply have a knack for it When they desire to remain at their current level, said Milne, he does not force them to change. Referring to the villain of Uncle Tom's Cabin, he added, "Rather than play Simon LaGree, I let them do 'it:; ", At ;:,the other extreme, some people managed to place above their actual sk,ill level. Spanish student Jay Lybik, an LSAfreshman, said, "I know a lot of people who placed into [Spanish) 232 who are

Steve Weiss is a junior in Engineering and a staff writer for the Review.


_1

W.tl!t _ _.it¢'/It\II>'t_~"'~~MV"""""~.,_ _ ,~".. _~,,,,-WuI" ___

~· ·~~_"""'""~':' ''''''-''''''lIr>, .. ~",~,&",_" .~i.i'''',~ ,,,,.,_'I4o>''

...>.",-,~., .. "

The Michigan Review

(I

November 19&8, .11 .. ,

Campus Affairs·: Greek System

Should the Greek Systems Be Integrated? by Carol Nahra It may seem curious to an incoming student at the University of Michigan that there appears to be such a complete separation between the blacks and whites within the Greek system. Having learned the fallacy of the "separate but equal" doctrine of the 1950s, and noting what a sensitive issue race relations has become today, such a lack of integration on a campus as "progressive" as the U-M seems puzzling. In fact, two separate systems exist on the U-M's campus today; the black sororities and fraternities, which belong to the Black Greek Association (BGA), and the sororities and fraternities overseen by the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and the Panhellenic Association. While all the Greek organizations are officially nonexclusionary, with many containing at least one member of a different race, the fact

conceptofwhata frat was about-l would have chosen one like that." Keene sees one of the most visible differences between the systems in their varying approaches to philanthropy. "The white Greeks generate a lot of money for philanthropy, but there is trouble in the black community in America and you have to open doors for your own people as well as succeed in life. Instead of 'gimmiky' philanthropy to generate money, we give time more so than money. We actually interact with the people that we're helping." There is no question that there are fundamental differences between the two systems. Yet the complete division between them has encouraged little drive to understand or get to know members of the other system. McAnor feels that the rare asso-

There is no question that there are fundamental differences between the two systems. Yet the complete division between them has encouraged little drive to understand or get to know members of the other system. remains that there is a distinct racial separation between the two systems. According to LSA senior, Bill McArtor, the president of IFC, "There isn't much interaction at all; there aren't any formal connections between the two. The two systems are separate by choice, not [by] a feeling of exclusion. They are based on different ideals, and different founding principles ... Members of the black fraternity system have expressed similar views. The black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, is the only Greek organization to belong to both the IFC, with which it holds an affiliate membership, and theBGA. Engineering senior, Erik Keene, representative of Alpha Phi Alpha in the IFC, rushed fraternities in both systems before joining the Alphas. He emphasizes the fact that they both provide very different experiences, "If! could have honestly said all I wanted was an undergraduate experience with beer, parties, and communal living - if that was my

ciations between the systems in the past seem to have underscored differences between them, rather than promoted ongoing interaction. "As long as our groups are so seemingly exclusive," he said, "anytime something gets put together it seems to promote cultural diversity." LSA senior Sean Friday, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, feels that it is necessary that interest is displayed on both sides towards understanding each organization. "There is so much that is important to black fraternities and sororities that [members of the IFC] don't even think about But we have to think about what's important to , them because that's the mainstream. What's important to people in the mainstream is important to you in order to survive." In reference to interest by members of IFC and the Panhellenic Council in events sponsored by fraternities within the BGA, such as keynote speakers and discussions, Friday said, "We're sometimes critical of

ED JACOBS/Review

their lack of involvement with the things that we do, even on a small scale. People [who attend our functions] who aren't black are usually from the Daily or something, and those aren't the people that need to be reached." According to McAnor, "They [the black fraternities] haven't had people come and ask for support. There's not a conscious effort to ignore their system at alL" Previous joint ventures between the systems, such as Alpha Phi Alpha participating in Greek Week, seem to have had little lasting effect on relations between members of both systems. Referring to the lack of meaningful interaction between the two systems, and widespread misconceptions about the BGA, Friday said, "Until there is a more effective understanding about the concerns of the BGA organizations in the present, and about their founding issues, we will continue to have this sort of separation between the two systems." LSA senior Aaron Silberman, a member of Chi Psi, a fraternity within the IFC, feels that the separation between the systems deepens prejudice that might already exist in students when they begin their studies at the U-M. "There is nothing within the structure of a fraternity that discourages racism," he said. "As an organization we're all autonomous and there are ways to keep out blacks without being held accountable - you wouldn't even have to think'bt YQurself as racist." The small number of blacks at the U-M seems to be a '~contributing factor to the division between the systems. There are not enough blacks rushing to begin to in-

crease the numbers of blacks within the system. According to LSA junior, Joe Hart, vice president of the IFC, "We're In a no-win situation. If you have blacks, they're perceived as tokens; if you don't, you're considered racist. If you had increased numbers of blacks rushing, you'd have increased numbers in the fraternities." Members of both the IFC and BGA do not envision complete integration in the near future. Nor do they think that integration is necessarily the best means for un· derstanding between the systems. "There's not a whole lot of pressure to integrate the system," said Keene. "A lot of people think, 'why can't you come 1.0getherand have there be a merting pot?' But a melting pot asks us to forego a lot of traditions that are sacred." When asked about hopes for relations between the two systems in the future, McAnor replied, "Considering they're 'separate by choice', I'd hope to see formal and ongoing connections established by leaders of both, and effons between both to know and understand each other." Friday agrees. "Integration is a means," he said, "not an ends, toward understanding culture. Integration is not our goal; understanding each other is our goal."

Carol Nahra is a senior in English and psychology and a starr writer (or the

Review.


It

, ._< ... ~,.-.~ . _

~ ~~ Ji

iI1I! T "

l!l;~""~ii!,o:l'i~ ·€'6-'~..,.,-,,,,.< .,,,,;~·.·,,,·.<!., , ...·,,,,w "'~,,,,~·· , ,,··

The Michigan Review

.~ ~ ·<'h~~ "", ~ . A, -"

,"

" ,M'.. w'

' """,, . . '~'

.'

November 1988

12

City: Development

The Changing Character of Ann Arbor ..;.

by Brian Woerner . Ever since Iailroad tracks along the Huron River replaced the orchard that was Ann Arbor's namesake, the city has been forced to weigh the benefits and cpsts of development In the 1980s, Ann Arbor has been the beneficiary of strong economic growth. As a result, local unemployment has hovered in the 3 percent range, lower than the rate for any other city in Michigan. However, some residents have worried that a changing economic base and accelerating deveJopment are fundamentally altering the character of Ann Arbor. Perhaps nowhere are changes more evident than in the downtown aDd campus areas. A host of new buildings have mushroomed. including Liberty Square, One North Main and Sloan Plaza. In the wake of the new development, spiraling land values and rents have forced many longtime Ann Arbor institutions, such as Kresge's and the Campus Cinema, OUt of business. '"There has been a tremendous amount of commercial develOllllent in the downtown area," says city Councilman Larry Hunter (D-lst Ward). "There has been a great deal of condominium and office development There are more restaurants too. However, the amount of retailing and affordable housing bas been somewhat reduced." Some businesses have chosen to move from downtown to other partS of the city. Robert Burton, owner of King's Men Barbers on PIyJ!louth Road, was forced to relocate froni the comer of North University Drive and Thayer Street when Comerica Bank built a branch office at that location. He attributes his move to rising land values. "Cometica was just able to pay more for the land,.. be says. At the center of these changes has been a transition in the local economy away from ligbl industry and towards·an information-based economy. Industrial employers, such as Universal Die Cast, Fram Filter, and HarvestCame:ra, have been supplanted by restard!-based indu.sIries like Gelman Sciences, Irwin Magnetics, and Parke-Davis Research. The primary catalyst for this change has been the city's largest employer, the University of Michigan. "A big university takes 'Over Ii town. It's no longer Arm Arbor, but the University of Michigan," says Buttoo. Interaction between the university and the private sector may lead to fmther growth, pBIticularly in the areas of manuflIctming automation and robotics. Life-

time resident and U-M alumnus Charles Van Boven compares the development in Ann Arbor to that of Silicon Valley in California and the Route 128 area near Boston. "[This is] what's happening now with r0botics. I suddenly see Ann Arbor transformed into a city and not the bucolic little college town," he says. As a result of this kind of development, Ann Arbor has become a wealthier city. From 1979 to 1983, per caPita income in Ann Arbor rose by an astonishing 30 percent, according to statistics from the Washtenaw County Metropolitan Planning Commision. Despite the presence of a large student population, the median household income now weighs in ata hefty $35,000 per year. Less poUution is another advantage of the knowledge-based economy. "The research parks are really better because they are cleaner," Burton says. 1be new demographics have affected local politics too. In the past, the city government has been known to take liberal stances 00 social issues, including the enacbDent of a minimal $5 fine for marljuana possession and the establishment of a sistercity relationship with Juigalpa in Marx- · ist Nicaragua. These policies have led some to dub Ann Artxr "the Berkeley of the Midwest." . However, the outcomes of l$ttwo city elections have been shaped by an increasingly affluent electorate, which is more concerned with crime, property taxes, and its quality oflife than social issues. Republican Gerald Jernigan was elected mayor in 1987, promising more aggressive police protection. Republicans cnrrendy hold a 6- 5 majority on the Ann Arbor City Council. Additionally, voters overwbelmingly rejected a rent cootrol initiative l$t April, fearing inCreased prOperty taxes. . Not everyone is happy with the growth, however. Critics point to rising crime mtes, less affordable housing and a change in the character of the city as drawbacks to development Some people feartbat a bigger city is not necessarily a safer one. Says Van Boven, "In the l$t month, one student was shot near campuS and twO were Stabbed. This is the first time in my memory that this bas happened and I .associate this with growth." Those recent incidents led Jernigan to instruct the-police force to iDcrease weekend and evening patrols in the area of Liberty and Maynard Streets.

Hunter does not agree that crime is an inevitable product of gowth. "I see no real upswing in crime or criminality ," he says, citing figures which show the total number of assaults in the 1987-88 school year were about the same as for the previous year. Yearly figures are kept on a June to June basis so this years figures will not be available until next July. HunterseesJeroigan's instructions to the police to beef up patrols in the downtown area as "necessary in the short run," but he is skeptical as to whether they represent a long-term solution. One of the most often repeated criticisms of recent development is the fear that it will somehow alter the fundamental character of Ann Arbor. Double-digit rent increases in recent years have pushed the average monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment to over $600 in the downtown and campus areas. Many fear that such high rents will price some Ann Arborites out of the market and result in a loss of diversity. Hunter attributes the loss of affordable housing partially to federal tax laws which used to give developers incentives to build cornmerical properties. He says, "Its a matter of economics, really. The tax credits for commercial development have been eliminated as a part of the federal income tax reform, so I expect more housing deve~ ment But I expect housing to remain a problem." Some critics also see a trend towards more homogeneity as franchise resturants and national retailers replace their local counterparts. "McDonalds seems very symbolic of the change. I remember an in- . credible amount of protest over the

McDonalds on Maynard Street.,.. says Van Boven. He adds, however, thal, "McDonald's offICials worked out a design that included award-winning architecture."

One aspect of local character that is changing is the demographics. The overall population of Ann Arbor bas remained relatively stable since 1980, growing by less than 1 percent to an..estimated lOS,774 in 1987. However thelnumber 'of households has increased by over 5 percent in the same period. This reflects a trend towards more yOWlg professionals, more transient residents, and fewer families. Says Burton, "'IDere was a sort of charisma assoCiated with the kind of German COOlmunity that Ann Arbor was. Now it's a transit type of town where people come for four or five years and then leaye. " For better or worse, development is likely tp continue around Ann Arbor. When asked about the prospects for future expansion, Hunter says "I expect more of the same. Commercial development wiU continue in the downtown [area), and there will be more housing development" While some aspects of Ann Arbor are changing, many others stay the same. Burton summarizes the f~ of many reSidents when he says, "Ann Arbor has everything a big city bas. but [it) still bas a liU1e of the small town ~."

BriaR Woeraer b • p1ldaate student studying electrical ngiDeftinl systems aDd a starr writer for the Rnkw.

For Exam Preparation, Choose to EXCEL • Learn to Anticipate the Exam • Improve Your Test-Taking Skills • Use Your Study Time More Effectively • Achieve Your Maximum Potential Score .1•.~f;:

E~~~~paration

996·1500 1100 South University


_i

_tit

."It!

)rx~~~#<::.J" .",.><,.,,,,, ,, , ,,,,,_ >'

The Michigan Review

November 1988

13

Sports: Athletes

Recruiting the 'Champions of the West' by Ryan Schreiber The University of Michigan Department of Athletics recruits hundreds of athletes from across the nation to compete for its campus varsity teams each year. This task, combined with the many rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Association of America (NCAA). proves to be complex and intriguing, according to Bob Chmiel. Chmiel, the new departmental recruiting coordinator, organizes all phases of recruiting for all of the collegiate sports at Michigan. . "The number one thing we look for in an athlete is character," said Chmiel, "and the ability to come to the University of Michigan and succeed academically, socially, and athletjcally." Players do not thrive in the Michigan system without the character and composure to succeed off the field as well as on it Bo Schembechler, athletic director and head coach of the Michigan football team,

any football is academic success." Fritz Seyfenh, the assistant director in charge of development and the previous recruiting coordinator, agreed. "The a'thletes have a basic moti vation to succeed on the field as well as off. They cannot take a lackadaisical attitud~ towards schooling. The coaching staff constantly reminds them of the grade standards they must achieve to retain eligibility." As an LSA senior nearing graduation, Michael Dames, an offensive taclcle of the Wolverine football team, said that Michigan provides the ·perfect atmosphere in which student-athletes can thrive. "I came to Michigan to get a degree and all of the resources were available here for me. At other schools, there aren' t helpful things such as tutors and study halls that you can fmd at Michigan. I took advantage of those resources and am now seven credit hours away from obtaining my degree in Decem-

"/ think to just bring a student athlete in and then send him out into the world without a degree is not ethical." -

Bob Chmiel, athletic recruiting coordinator

recently showed to his athletes and skeptics that ignorance of scholastics is not tolerated in his program. Leroy Hoard, an LSA sophomore fullback coming of his best collegiate perfonnance against Indiana, was~nded for the following game against Northwestern for his failure to report to classes. Character. though, is something that Michigan athletes possess as the graduation rate of scholarship athletes for the 1987 school year indi~te$.. In nine major ~arsity sports, over 74pen:ent· of the athletes on scholarships gi'aduated this past That inc~tos6 percent for the fO()tball program. "I think just,fO bring a student-athlete in and then sei)d bimoot into the world without a de~ is not ethical," said Chmiel. "I have been around football and recruiting for a while now, and if there's one football coach in the country that is really in tune with the academic need to succeed, it's Bo Schembechler. That's the fJtSl thing be talks about" ''When we come in for a team meeting with the freshmen, the most immediate topic thalaQ.~.s.befOI:e.we.te1 i.n~ .

year.. fignre

her."

Alex Marshall, a sophomore in LSA and outside linebacker of the football squad, . also backed the program at Michigan. 'There are a lot of resourcesopen to you [at Michigan]. You have people thatcan tutm' when you need them, say, in a subject like math. All we have to do as athletes is to go to ooe of Qur counselors, and they can fmd soniilQrie to help us. A big misconception is I say 'help'. Some people think that they do the Work for us, but thaI:' s not uue at all." Marshall added. "What you ~ dO; though, is exploit those resourcestb tl)e extent that you need. College is all aboUt the doors that can open f<X' you. If yOu come here hoping f<X' an education or·a degree, dQors will open for you if you apply yourself." Reauitment is a two-way ~ess. The school must see theadlletic flare in the student along wiOl Ihe. acade~ compe; te~ to succeed. · On the othCr hand, Michigan has to prove to its JXOSpeCtive athletes that it is the best possible choice. , . ':Eirst..and foremost, we sell Michigan,"

when

Recruiting Coordinator Bob Chmiel

said Chmiel. "The education and tradition speak for themselves. Many of the students, their parents, and just sports fans in general know what Michigan stands for: athletic and academic excellence. After that, we have the best selling point with our football program and that is to come and play football for Bo Schembechler. If you talk about football coaches throughout America, he bas one of, if not the. best reputation. After all, there's only one Bo." The . NCAA has a few guidelines by which all colleges must abide. Michigan is permined to yisit only 85 students per year and can administer only 25 scholarships. Chmiel also pointed out rules regarding alumni visitation and student visitation of the schools as well. "We can only visit these 85 studentathletes over the period of time wb,en school starts until the signing date in .tht second week of February. Also, only nine assistant football coaches by NCAA. ! are permitted to leave c8mpUS for ~ . of evaluation for recruiting. If a student.- ' athlete comes to campus, then wecaa speak with him. The coaches thatlea~ campus are permitted three contacts at the high school and three contacts at the home with the student-athletes. We cannot leave campus for purpose of eval\l8tion until Nov. I. ~.firstofNovember, we can go and begin the recruiting process. Prior to that, we are,ftOt permitted .t o leave .the campus to go see a high school game. The rule used to be Aug. 1, but it was changed this year as three months were tacked on, so we really depend quite a bi~ on gQQd, qlJal-

ity film." Chmiel added that on top of the coaching visitation rights, students can only receive a certain number of paid visits to colleges. "Each student-athlete is permitted by NCAA regulations five official visits which are paid by the five different schools the student-athlete chooses. Any other visits are paid for strictly by the studentathlete and his family. Payments include transportation, housing, meals, and entertainment not in excess of that of a bormal university student" \ Chmiel also addressed the limitations imposed on the rights of alumni to visit prospective varsity athletes. He said thaI they are permitted to attend games of high school athletes, but that they are not permitted to initiate contact with the prospect. Should an athlete seek out the alumni, then contact is acceptable and by all means encouraged. But in any other circumstance: it is forbidden by NCAA law. Considering the large amount of talent spread out across the United States, it seems impossible that coaches and recruiters alike ever contact half the available athletes. However, there are three ways in which talent can be recognized. First, there are professional scouting services that sell lists to interested colleges. Another method involves the coaching staff as they are permitted to leave campus for purposes of evaluation from May 1 to May 30. During that period, though, there is to be no contact, only evaluation. Said Chmiel, "In February, after the signing date, we will send out questionnaires to high school coaches asking tbem for young feliows that they recommend. This is another way we can locate WOOL" The Department of Athletic Recruid.ng at Michigan bas to find a talented ~, determine if his character is suitable for Michigari, and COQvince him to

enroJl_

wilhoul~~yOf~NCAA r.e~

lions. Said Chmiel, "You want to see another harsh rule? Here's the recruiundK guide for this year. Only its cover is in color while the rest is in black and while'" The University of Michigan caMot avoid the rules, but only play by them and try to provide the best possible educatioo for all of its slUdent-8lhIetes.

Ryan Schreiber is. sophomore fa LSA and the persomtel manager of the b· vkw.


The Michigan Review

November 1988

14

Arts: Music Profile

Symphony Director Carl St. Clair by Ian Beilin The Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year under the musical direction of Carl Sl Clair. In a recent interview, St. Clair discussed his experiences with the orchestra and praised the success and support it has received since he has been with it. He also talked about some important issues concerning both the creation and appreciation of classical music. He is involved in all spheres of musical life, but he has a particular interest in the education and exposure of young people to classical music. Sl Oair is in his fourth year with the orchestra. In addition to his Ann Arbor position, he became assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra after coming to the attention of its principal conductor, Seji Ozawa. He worked as a conducting fellow with conductors Ozawa, Leonard Berstein, Gustav Meier, Andre Previn, and Kurt Masur at the fa-

only a short time for them to crumble," says St Clair. "These orchestras do not get the same kind of government support that a European orchestra gets. We depend on private and corporate funding." In addition to funding, the orchestra is also supported by a large and enthusiastic audience. This audience is a particularly uncommon one because it is composed of all age groups. St. Clair considers it a pri vilege to have such an audience because in most cities the concert-going public is composed mostly' of older people. This varying audience is partly due to the fact that an effort is made in Ann Arbor to educate and interest young people in classical music. St. Clair takes part in the symphony's programs and concerts that are specifically designed to appeal to young people. S1. Clair, as a music teacher, believes the challenges that face the musical educator

"If your life can be lived without music on a daily basis, then you should do so and be a less active person musically. You will know if music is something your life cannot be without in major doses." mous Tanglewood Music Center, where in the summer of 1986, he made his conducting debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Since then he has conducted the Boston Symphony Chamber Players, the Boston Symphony Youth Concerts, and the Boston Pops. He is currently the music director of the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra in Ithaca, N.Y., and is a member of the conducting faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music. He was previously a member of the University of Michigan conducting faculty. According to Sl Clair, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra is in as good of shape as ever. The Ann Arbor Symphony is not facing the same economic hardships that have forced many once-great orchestras like the New Orleans, Nashville, and Rochester Symphonies to fold St Clair auributes this to the dedication and patronage of the people of Ann AIbor. "We need to understand that it takes a Ioog time to build these orclIesuas. but

today are quite considerable. The overwhelming allure of popular and rock music makes it hard to appea1 to young people. "Music that young people listen to on the radio has words, a text, usually a very simple kind of text, a very everyday type of text, " says St Clair. "A lot of the music you hear in the concert h.all does not have words. Secondly, most of the music they hear is electronic. The orchestra is non-amplified sound. Also, the average length of any piece they're hearing is about two and a h.alf, three minutes. There are very few three minute classical pieces. We're talking hour-long symphonies or 40 minute piano concertos, a 67 minute Beethoven Ninth [Symphony], or a 60 minute Mahler One (Symphony]. We're playing the whole album, not just one hit" "If you think aboUt it, musicians in that [rock music] world go away very quickly. Somebody shoots to the top of the charts, let's say, in six weeks and in six years they~ve disappeared; URJess it's one of &he

recognize a minimalist piece or identify a composer from the movement "Persons trained to be classical musicians had pretty much lived through their major musical training and did not realize what was going on," says S1. Clair. 'This says something about either the students. the education, the music, or maybe all three. I don't know ... Sl Clair is not cyniCfl about the current state of musical educ~on, and certainly not about the University of Michigan's School of Music. In the early 1980s, many students were dissuaded from pursuing a musical career by the economic strains in all areas of the music world. It became difficult to find work asa music educator or as a musician. For this reason, many schools were hun somewhat by a lack of qualified teachers. Yet in the, midst of a very few. But in six weeks, Beethoven was regained economic stability', there are unknown, and in six years he was barely many enthusiastic students and a wider known. In 200 years, he's still going range of musical opportunities than ever strong. You see, that's a big difference before. As a result of the growing pursuit between the pop world and the classical for excellence which Sl. Clair says characworld. That's one of the biggest problems terizes music schools allover the country, with educating and interesting young musicians are now in heavy competition people in this kind of music - the kind of for jobs. Indeed, "the competition to get taste for the growth of an art form versus into an orchestra is absolutely fiendish. the sort of disposable qualities of the rock There are literally hundreds of people for world." each chair." S1. Clair does not completely condemn Given this, St Clair offers advice for popular music, for he also says, "I love those considering a career in music. "It is rock music and I think it is very important very diffICult for a young person entering I was in a rock band myself when I was in the college level to understand all the high school and college and enjoyed it very ramifications about what it means to be a much. But I do think the differences are immusician. If your life can be lived without portant. As a classical musician, I feel it is music on a daily basis, then you should do important to bridge that gap between · so and be a less active person musically. something they can get so easily every day You will know if music is something your and something that seems a little out of life cannot be without in major doses. " reach. So that's why I am involved with For college students who are not aspiring young people's concerts and trying to plan musicians, St Clair has an important mesthings which help bridge that gap so they sage. Young people must acquire an intercan have a wider variety of musical diet" est in classical performances for the symS1. Oair has a general conviction about phony orchestra to survive, for today's all forms of new music: "E very new moveyoung people will be the audiences of ment in music is positive in some fashion . tomorrow. Such an interest benefits both because it opens people' sears and minds to the young people and the musicians who so yet another idea. And with that idea, one strongly wish to perform. Otherwise, one can corne up with another idea that one day,ooly "disposable" music will remain.· . wouldn't have had without that initial According to Carl St Clair, all appears " well in Ann Arbor for the present, but for c~ge." ' The ~areness ofnew music is relatively tomorrow? low ;p,otonly among traditional audiences, but also among music students in .Ulusic schools. St Clair describes an occaSion Ian Beilin is a junior in LSA and a staff when he laught a conducting class at the writer for the RtvNw. University of Michigan School of Music in which none .o f the students were able 'to " ~ ~ t 10" ,

. ~,

..

'I

01

~~~

..... .......

· - -·~-·~~

'. I-

t, l. ..

't/

,.~

•••••

~

• •

~

,

• • M• •


... The Michigan Review

November 1988

15

Where the Review Gets Its Mane by Adolf "the Worm" SvldrygayJov

Over the past few years, the Review has received an increasing number of requests to release its financial documents in order to provide the names of the individuals and groups that fund us. Apparently, many people cannot imagine that a journal of such questionable political views could be supported by respectable citizens and/or organizations. Therefore, to allay the fears of the curious, I have, with the help of the current editorial board, decided to list the major sources of revenue for the Review since 1965, when our supply of Nazi gold ran out. 1. The Mob-we could have told Geraldo Rivera there was nothing behind that wall. 2. Big cash prizes won in 1984 by Associate Publishers Cale Leopold and Loeb Rutherford on Tic Tae Dough.

7. Yoko Ono- still a frequent visitor to our office in the League, she was a supporter years before she met John.

crosses, gum wrappers, and Rolex watches found on the Diag has saved us during a low advertising month.

8. Papists.

17. Strawberry Alarm Clock-not many

self, believed in furthering the cause of freedom and liberty around the world." 30. Amy Carter-God bless her,

9. The Rev. Al Sharpton Publicity Co. 10. Lyndon LaRouche-once referred to the Review in a respected national periodical as "the only organization on the planet which stands between our sacred liberties and the scourge of tyranny."

people know that all of the proceeds of that supergroup's 1968 hit "Incense and Peppermints," went at their request straight into the Review' scoffers.

31. D.B. Cooper-he would do anything to help us financially. 32. S924.22 won in the much celebrated

11. Noriega, Henry Kissinger, Queen Elizabeth, and other "drug king pins."

.1 : ,

ED JACOBS/Review

4. @harlene Tilton. 5. Evel Kneivel-"I have always supported those great kids at the Review, because, well, I love winners." 6. Singalese Liberation Army-now you know why Patty Hearst and the gang robbed all those banks.

SUPER FARES Amsterdam.fr $428 Athens .... fr Acapu I co .. fr Bahamas ... fr Frankfurt.fr Istanbul .. fr London .... fr Paris ..... fr Rome ...... fr Tel Aviv .. fr Bangkok ... fr Hong Kong. fr Seoul ..... fr Taipei .... fr Tokyo ..... fr Jalllaica ... fr Puerto Ua II ada .. fr

$646 $489 $419 $511 $699 $398 $534 $634 $749 $859 $759 $699 $719 $781 $509 $5i9

SPRING BREAK . CALL FOR DEI' AILS

REGENCY TRAVEL INC.~ 665-6122 B'

1iaveIAgency~

14. Money received for writing Neil Kinnock's speeches. 15. Money received for writing Joe Biden's speeches.

18. Kurt Walheim-also lied about being a Review staffer in the Balkans during the war.

16. Metal Detectors-it is amazing how many times the sale of nickles, iron

19. Jim Wright-we are the licensed distributors of his new book. 20. The Shah of Iran- used to pay us in F16 parts before he was deposed.

WE'D LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT THE UNCENSORED CONTENT OF THIS MAGAZINE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CONSTITlITION OF·THE

UNITED STATES. THE CONSTITlITION The words we live ~

!!

Rf'p,eM'",attve'

209-211 S. State St. Ann Arbor, MI 48104 U of M Designated Agency

~

12. Erik Estrada-when we really need money, "Pon"ch" always seems to cruise over with the required amount. 13. Deep sea charters out of Key Largo on our Review cabin· cruiser, the "Monkey Business II."

3. Church of Satan.

,

To learn ~ ab<M the G.mstituticl' write_ em· .titutjoo, W..hinston, nc. lOS99' The Commi,· , t -...,,;00,.-, .... Si<~n ' ;" '1Y 't~, • ' .. nnl>l .. _ 'In. - L'S, .con'lituuol', - } ,~ 1

k<

21. Anastasia-became executive editor after the Daily came out in support of the Revolution. 22. Our Sea Monkeys Patent-probably nothing gives us more pride than when we receive that monthly check in the mail. 23. Stealing cars and taking money out of pinball machines.

wager with Iggy Pop over the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin. 33. Nazi Leprechauns. 34. Sale of "cuddly" PIRGIM dolls. 35. The Michigan Review Animal Petting Farm. 36. Illegal whaling trips out of Point Barrow Alaska. 37. Supplier of UFO photos to the National Enquirer. 38. Telly Savalas-"Who loves the Review, baby." 39. ?-thanks Poindexter! 40. Lloyd Bentsen's Breakfast Club.

24. Sale of Indemnities. 25. Knitting and other handicrafts.

41. Sale of diesel fuel and machinery to Detroit Mayor Coleman Young.

26. Opr 1978 Shoe Sale netted $889,000 (thank you Imelda!).

42. Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., etc.says Ole Blue Eyes, "Hove those cats at the

Revitw." 27. The Bert Convey Family. 28. Trumart"Cappte-we never knew he was a fan, unrilhe left us three million dollars in hisi\vill for our Review party fund. 29. Chilean strongman Pinochet-"I have ruways, thought that the Review;, iike my-

43.Sale of the squadron of WWII planes lost over the Bermuda Triangle. .

Adolf "the Worm" Svidrygaylov, who currently lives in La Paz, noHvia, was the publisher of the Review from 1933-

45.


:

'

···

.•...•..•.............•.....•••.............................._........••••.•.......•...............•.•••.•..•••••...................•....•..............••...............................•••....••

·••• ···• ·• ·

..•.•••••....•••••••••...•..•....•••.....••.........•......•.••••.............•......••••.........•....................•........•..•........•.•.......•.•.•.•.......•..••..•.•.............•.......

1 ~

¥

\ I,

I

\

I


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.