Mofongo, anyone? 'U' can sample culture in its own backyard
Ever walk into the dorm cafeteria and notice a theme?
It's on purpose. These theme dinners - with interesting-sounding Puerto Rican dishes - are just one of the many ways the University exposes students to unfamiliar cultures and practices. The multicultural atmosphere is a University trademark. Each year, cultural organizations and clubs display their diversity through heritage months, weeks and days, giving students a chance to celebrate new customs. Students, faculty and administrators should actively take part in these events, which strengthen the University community.
Passing the gavel: Judges should be elected, not appointed
Early next year, the Michigan Legislature may appoint a commission to study whether the state needs a change in the way its judges ascend to the bench. Currently, residents elect judges. If the commission adopts the most extreme of the alternatives under consideration - selection of judges by gubernatorial appointment - that right may be taken away from the voters and hand-delivered to Lansing.
Proponents of change offer many reasons for their case for a new system. They believe the current system fails to elect the best-qualified judges because the electorate often knows little about the candidates for whom they vote. This is true - due to limited campaign funds and seasons, voters often cannot get a true idea of the ruling patterns or viewpoints of judicial candidates, unless they have actively followed candidates' careers. As a result, votes are often based on contents of fliers or testimonials in the letters to the editor section of newspapers.
James Miller: LSA course requirements revisited
Certain Michigan Student Assembly candidates have been making a lot of noise recently about getting rid of the LSA language requirement. Personally, I think it's a great idea. My rationale is that different students come here to learn different things and that a language requirement forces them to take classes they don't want or need and probably won't remember three days after the final exam.
This is not, however, an argument that supports the abolition of all required classes or subjects. I think there are many areas of study in which many of the limbs of our student body are lacking. Here are a few, but feel free to write in with your suggestions.
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