To the Daily:
A public discussion has begun over the appropriate uses of Nichols Arboretum. The Arb is a unique arboretum and nature preserve owned by the University and the city of Ann Arbor that receives more than 100,000 visits yearly. It is important that the re be a single set of rules for the protection of the plant specimens and natural areas that all individuals and groups respect.
The visitors' guide states that the Arb's mission is to provide a setting for education and research for use by the University, Ann Arbor public schools and the State of Michigan. As an arboretum, the plant collections and native ecology are central to this mission. The Arb exhibits more than 450 woody plant species, collected over decades, from around the world. Arb staff, as well as other biologists and botanists, have said that particular ROTC activities harm the Arb's valuable plant collec tion.
These are the specific activities that I am concerned about:
No. 1. Walking and crawling by units of 15-20 soldiers off the pathways through forested and woody plant areas of the Arb, in heavy combat gear - camouflage, boots, backpacks - carrying machine gun replicas in a firing position in an effort to simul ate "search and destroy" combat missions.
No. 2. Groups of 50 soldiers or more, conducting high-speed running marches double-time in military formation, yelling military songs at a loud volume.
I recently came upon a photograph of ROTC soldiers carrying machine gun replicas, using ropes tied to trees in the Arb to cross the Huron River, published in the Daily on Sept. 27, 1996.
The quiet enjoyment of the Arb by other users is shattered by these activities. The traditional activities of urban nature preserves - strolling, visits by groups of schoolchildren, family picnics, quiet walks, personal reflection, prayer, bird watc hing, examining plant specimens, searching for wildlife - are being severely disrupted. The high-speed nature and noise of these activities, the presence of machine gun replicas and the harm to plant specimens and bird nesting behaviors present sign ificant public safety and environmental concerns.
ROTC has an alternative site for these activities, which may be in a less environmentally sensitive area and with fewer civilian users. It is clear that ROTC takes its mission very seriously; it is important that the University and the community tak e the Arb's mission seriously. ROTC and the U.S. military do not honor their institutions by conducting such activities in a sensitive environmental area with many civilian visitors.
Citizens for the Protection of Nichols Arboretum believes that the University and Ann Arbor community will agree that these types of military training exercises do not belong in the Arb.
Ron Holzhacker
Rackham
Jeans Day is not about proclaiming your own sexual orientation; it is about demonstrating that you support equality and human rights. If you don't have jeans, denim patches will be available all day Thursday in the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Programs Offi ce (on the third floor of the Union) and at a table in the MUG (ground floor of the Union) between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. We encourage you to bring out the denim and join us in supporting equality!
Neela Ghoshal
RC/LSA sophomore, Queer Unity Project
The purpose of Advice is to encourage high-quality instruction and accountability. Please support MSA and Advice in our continuing efforts to expand instructor training and increase rewards for high-quality instruction at the University. Training in structors is not a cost; it is an investment in the future that benefits students, teachers, employers and the entire University community.
Barry Rosenberg
LSA senior
Ryan Friedrichs
LSA sophomore
Mike Pniewski
Engineering senior