How come Holzhacker has not mentioned any of these violations in his numerous reports and press releases? It would appear to me he is picking and choosing the activities which he feels are appropriate in the Arb or that will give him the most expos ure and publicity as an attorney pursuing an advanced degree in political science. I am just grateful that most people appear to be supportive of the use of the Arb by a legitimate campus group.
Larry Ammerman
Naval Officer Education Program
Frankly, this is ludicrous. Although I did learn a little about Spain and other Spanish-speaking cultures as I took 231, 232, 358 and 361, I learned far more about how to use the Spanish language.
Furthermore, an anthropology or history course would do a far better job of teaching about a culture than a foreign language class. Finally, much of what they taught us about Spanish speaking cultures seemed rather stereotypical.
One other aspect of the University's foreign language program that bothered me was that Conversational Spanish 358 was excluded, and therefore worthless for completing the requirement. This is very sad, because I believe that I learned the most Span ish in that class. Not only was it mildly enjoyable, but it increased my ability to speak and understand Spanish more than all the other classes I took combined.
I think that the University should rethink the "excluded" status of conversational classes, as they are an invaluable tool in foreign language education.
Jeremy Miral
LSA junior
Last summer, I worked with Dr. Lipschutz on drafting the new University policy on religious-academic conflicts. Through her efforts, Dr. Lipschutz helped improve the University climate for students of all religious flavors. After the policy was adop ted, Dr. Lipschutz went above and beyond her stated commitment to implement the policy and publicize it to students. It is sadly ironic the benefits of this policy will begin to become visible in the coming weeks when final exams coincide with the J ewish holiday of Passover.
In all my work experience with Dr. Lipschutz, I found that she was a person of utmost integrity. She was honest, fair and treated others with compassion. For all the contributions Dr. Lipschutz made to the University, and for the extraordinary perso n she was, her memory deserves our respect. She will be dearly missed.
Anthony Scaglione
LSA senior
At this time, we are seeking a reduction in teaching load from three courses per year to two courses per year while maintaining our current salary. Such a change is not only justified given our current "overload" status, but also necessary in order to guarantee students a positive foreign language experience. Teaching only one course per semester would enable romance language GSIs to rethink and revise current practices within our program so that student needs will be better met.
Since we are currently negotiating this matter with the administration, we encourage students to share their concerns and suggestions regarding this issue. Please contact AHCTL care of hcashman@umich.edu. If we work together, we will create a program that will be satisfying to all.
Ad Hoc Committee on Teaching Load
To the Daily:
I'm writing in response to the editorial insisting we need a national gun registry ("Across state lines" 4/15/97). I am not a gun owner and have no reason at present to own one. However, why is it that no one ever bothers to consider the full implic ations of recommendations such as this?
First of all, the Daily doesn't even use sound reasoning that reflects the reality of gun control. Guns are and will always be brought from out of state into those states with tough gun control laws. Even if all 50 states banned possession of any k ind of firearms, there would still be plenty of weapons available for those with criminal intentions. Nations like China and North Korea would be more than happy to provide them.
In addition, in both The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press, it was reported on 4/14/97 that violent crimes have decreased over most of this decade, which is when Florida, Georgia and Texas loosened their gun restrictions.
Finally, there are serious privacy and Second Amendment issues here. A national registry not only gives the federal government an additional means of tracking people, it automatically places any law-abiding citizens who own firearms onto a list of p ossible "troublemakers." If history tells us anything, it is that the first thing a potential totalitarian government will do is disarm its people. This registry will make it that much easier should someone with those intentions make it into office . Then what will the Daily do when it loses its "One hundred six years of editorial freedom?" Remember, the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
David Hudyma Jr.
Engineering senior