To the Daily:
I am writing in response to the Daily's editorial "Who's Buying?" (1/28/98). The Daily misunderstood the goals of the "bring your own beverage" policy. This policy alone certainly will not curb underage drinkers, but was not necessarily meant to address that issue. The problem of underage drinking presents one that by no means can be solved in an all-encompassing legislative act.
This policy addresses the liability issue. With hosting organizations moving to BYOB functions, liability shifts from the organizations involved to the individual who purchases and consumes the alcohol. Not only does this protect the hosting organization from a non-Greek member attending a party, but it protects it from a delinquent member of the Greek system.
In lieu of the many difficult aspects in dealing with the problem of irresponsible drinking, the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association are attempting to create a safer social environment by addressing the problem with a two-fold process. The BYOB policy is the first step. The next logical step involves educational programs on the dangers of alcohol consumption and how to drink responsibly. Both IFC and the Panhellenic Association recognize that when students come to the University, they are adults and should be responsible for their own actions. The Greek system hopes to educate them on how to master this new responsibility safely and effectively. Treating this problem in a two-fold fashion should help in achieving the ultimate goal of curbing illegal and irresponsible drinking.
Contrary to what the editorial said, the IFC policy does restrict the fraternities to have BYOB parties with signed sororities. The Daily was correct in saying that fraternities will not supply alcohol.
But the Daily failed to recognize that this is a trial period. The participating 10 sororities and 20 fraternities have agreed to host BYOB functions. Each organization will fill out an evaluation form that will be submitted to the BYOB Committee, composed of past and present chapter presidents as well as other interested Greek system members. When the trial period ends on March 31, the committee will propose changes to the alcohol policy, which will include an effective enforcement mechanism recommended by the BYOB Committee.
IFC and the Panhellenic Association have taken a pro-active approach in dealing with this important issue, and are quickly closing in on completion of the first step. Soon the process will come full circle, the entire issue will be addressed as extensively as possible and the end goal of a safe and enjoyable Greek system will be met. This policy is a step in the right direction, and continues to prove that our Greek community upholds the University's theme, "The leaders and best."
Bradley Holcman
IFC President, Kinesiology junior
To the Daily:
The claim of the Center for Equal Opportunity that white applicants to U of M are 174-times less likely to be admitted than their African American counterparts with equivalent grades, test scores and high school class rankings ("Study finds racial preferences," 1/27/98) reveals far more about CEO's agenda than it does about the University's admissions policies.
I have not yet learned the details of how they cooked up this number, but it is clearly absurd. Consider a white student whose numbers are "shaky" enough that, based only on the factors cited, one would predict a 5-percent chance of admission. Clearly, it is mathematically impossible for anyone to be 174-times as likely to be admitted as this student, since the best chance the hypothetical minority competitor could ask for is a 100-percent chance of admission! One way the claim could be true would be for every African American applicant to score lower than every white applicant whose test scores and grades are high enough to expect a 0.5-percent or better chance of being admitted (these white students would not count in the ratio since under this scenario there would not be any "equally-qualified" African American competitors), and the rest following the 1/174 figure. As I'm sure even state Sen. David Jaye (R-Macomb) would concede, at least some minority applicants score above the bottom 0.5 percent of white applicants, which drives down even further the threshold at which the 1/174 figure might become valid. Reality would have to be even more far-fetched than my ridiculous example for CEO's claims to hold up, at least as they have been reported.
Had the center claimed that white students are "disadvantaged" by a factor of, say, five in admissions probability relative to certain minorities, I could at least find a way to understand where it comes from (though I would certainly disagree with their implicit equation of test scores and GPAs with overall merit). But by pushing such a ludicrous figure, CEO sheds any credibility it might has in this vital debate - and shows that its interests lie less with finding a way to resolve the conflict between ameliorating the effects of racism and the respecting the rights of the individual than with grabbing headlines and providing pseudo-scientific "evidence" for their political allies.
John Caraher
Rackham
To the Daily:
I often hear complaints about the lack of Michigan Student Assembly accountability to the University's graduate students. This complaint is clearly based in reality. Those running for MSA can obtain all the career benefits possible by only serving one term. For this reason, voting someone out of office does not hold the same threat in MSA as it does in other elected positions.
MSA's constitution claims its power is derived from the students, but there is no accountability. Fortunately, a grass roots effort has begun to put a constitutional amendment on the MSA election ballot March. This proposed amendment will hold MSA accountable to all schools. With the passage of the "Schools & Colleges Accountability" amendment, MSA will no longer be able to impose itself upon any school with impunity. MSA will be held accountable.
I have had the privilege of signing the petition for the ballot question. I encourage all students, both undergraduate and graduate, to sign this petition and support the amendment on the March ballot. Let's hold MSA accountable. Sign the petition and vote for this historic amendment package.
Nick Vasquez
Medical School
To the Daily:
There have been a number of jokes going around regarding the latest debacle in the White House. One that stuck in my mind in particular said, "2,000 American women were asked in a poll if they would sleep with the president. Ninety-four percent said, 'Never again.'" Unfortunately, there seems to be more truth to this than meets the eye. In a very real sense, President Clinton has been unfaithful to the nation and has breached our trust.
Several years ago, Clinton said, "There is a difference between the character of the president and the character of the presidency." This is a revealing quote and most clear-thinking people should see the absurdity of it. If the person seeking (or in) the office can't match the character of the office, then they do not belong there. The presidency represents not just the views of the citizenry, but also the ideals represented in society's documents and laws.
Granted, this is not the first president by any stretch of the imagination to blatantly disregard the charge given him upon inauguration. This does not excuse him.
When voting, I want a candidate that is a person of integrity and character as much as, if not more than, one who agrees with my philosophies, political beliefs and social attitudes. This one is neither.
Robb Wilson
Rackham
02-03-98
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