Letters to the Editor

Officers' behavior was 'oppressive'

To the Daily:

If the Neanderthal behavior of the Department of Public Safety on Nov. 22 in Michigan Stadium is an indicator of the type of administration we can expect under Lee Bollinger, then the University is in for oppressive times. As an alumnus from the early '70s - not exactly a quiet period for public displays of civil disobedience - I observed more acts of outrageous brutality and violence by uniformed officers in 15 minutes after the game than in four years on campus.

The management of DPS deserves severe chastisement, if not outright dismissal, for incompetence and dereliction of duty. You do not instruct your outnumbered officers to attack jubilant fans. You order them to fall back, protect the stupid goal posts, and let the fans have the field. What idiot thought they could prevent thousands of fans from charging the field after one of the biggest wins in Michigan football history? That person does not deserve to be a part of the University community.

It is a shame that police tactics marred such a wonderful event. The sweet smell of roses was overcome by the pungent aroma of pepper gas. This outrageous behavior by DPS deserves immediate and decisive action by Bollinger and his administration.

Rex Vaughn
University alumnus

DPS had to protect 'U' property after OSU game

To the Daily:

I would like to respond to some of the anti-Department of Public Safety sentiment that has been flying around in the wake of Nov. 22's shameful spectacle at Michigan Stadium.

The stated purpose of all police organizations, DPS included, is "to serve and to protect." So now students are asking, "Well, why were those bastards beating me and macing me instead of serving and protecting me?" What they need to understand is that they made it impossible for DPS to serve and protect them when they set themselves against the officers and made it necessary for the officers to protect the University's property from the students.

In the few days before the Ohio State game, I received no less than six copies of the e-mail message "Storm the field! It's us against the cops!" Why set yourself up against an organization that exists to protect you?

I have nothing against a celebration. I am very excited that the Wolverines are the Big Ten champions. I am extremely excited that Michigan has a shot at a national championship while I am a student. But the celebration has been handled all wrong. Even the Michigan Student Assembly got in on the action by proposing that students be allowed to storm the field. MSA's efforts would have been better directed at trying to organize some sort of alternative post-game rally at a more suitable location where fans could mingle with players and coaches and congratulate them and celebrate. The playing surface at Michigan Stadium is not just a hunk of dirt and is not the place for such a celebration to occur. I am sure that if someone had suggested such an event an appropriate amount of time in advance of game day, the athletic department would have been glad to oblige.

What is bad is that people think that the police are the enemy. Worse still are the people who run around suggesting that DPS be done away with altogether. DPS provides services to the entire University community on a daily basis that most people don't even think about, but they are necessary and people would get mighty upset if no one provided them.

As a DPS employee, I can assure students that they have some very dedicated people working to keep their community a nice place to live and an environment that is conducive to education. Help them do their job. Obey the laws, and if you have a grievance, deal with it through the proper channels. If you do this, you will be amazed how much easier your life will be. And most importantly, if your mother didn't teach you while you were still living at home, think before you act.

David Jordan
Engineering sophomore, DPS Student Assistant Field Employee

Pursuit of excellence creates diversity

To the Daily:

I graduated from the University in 1977, shortly after the war protests, at the height of Hash Bash lore and before diversity became the politically correct protest to the establishment ideal of a "melting pot."

My best years were spent on the Ann Arbor campus. What made the University experience so valuable and memorable was not the concept of diversity, but that of excellence. Was there diversity? Absolutely. On a campus of 35,000 students, a lack of diversity would be nearly impossible to achieve, even if it were the University's goal. Was it institutionalized, programmed diversity? Not in the '90s sense of the the word.

If the University's goal is excellence, diversity will follow. Excellence comes in all races, colors, religions and ethnic backgrounds. If the University's goal is excellence, then its diversity or affirmative action goals may not be met at any particular snapshot in time. You will, however, see a great mosaic of diverse and talented people if you look at the University over time, like a motion picture.

If one's goal is primarily diversity, then you might find excellence at any point in time. But if diversity is achieved by discriminating against an individual of greater talents, then excellence has suffered a great blow.

Excellence is not only test scores, athletic prowess or artistic talent. I do believe that a great university must attract people with diverse talents. The base value must be talent, not heredity.

Political correctness, the antithesis of real diversity, uses power to quell discussion and debate of unpopular and often uncouth speech and acts. A great university should be teaching students how to think, not what to think. To the extent that the lawsuit against the University raises the debate of what constitutes fairness in admissions policy, and exposes hypocrisy on both sides of the issue, it is hardly "reprehensible."

I trust the University will be a stronger, greater University as a result of the suit and the ensuing debate.

Mark Haldane
University alumnus

Chop is not intended to be offensive

To the Daily:

For the love of humanity, must we bleeding-heart, middle-class, white liberals ruin everything that is good and pure? I'm writing in response to letters that have appeared in the Daily criticizing University students for doing the "chop" at the football games ("'M' fans should not chop but make a fist," 11/21/97).

Look, it's not a chop. It is not meant to demean Native Americans. It's the freakin' first-down signal from the officials. The student section does it when our mighty defense squashes yet another pathetic, puny attempt at a drive. The other team sets up to punt and we signal first down, because that is what we are about to get! (Provided that Mr. Woodson lets us.)

Stop searching for things to be offended about. Not everything that people do is meant to slight or insult anybody.

Jason Mailloux
LSA junior

12-01-97