To the Daily:
It really irks me to hear these "Wazzu" fans (that's what Washington State students call their school for some reason) crying foul over losing the Rose Bowl as time expired "errantly." What these people don't realize is that the game should have never come to that conclusion anyway. Were they watching as their receiver blatantly shoved Charles Woodson to the ground to gain position on the previous play? I guess not. Barring an unsportsmanlike act such as this, Woodson would have intercepted that ball, run it back for a touchdown and struck the Heisman pose! At the very least, a penalty for offensive pass interference would have been called and Wazzu would have found themselves without a prayer.
Additionally, Jack Kinter in his letter "Poor Tactics Cheapen 'M' Victory," (1/7/97) merely proves that he is very bitter about his poor Wazzu losing a game they never had a chance to win in the first place. Michigan was the epitomy of class after the game by virtue of Brian Griese's national championship comments and Charles Woodson's recognition of the fans. There was no whining or sad crying for support like Nebraska's Scott Frost had to resort to.
Remember that when the Associated Press trophy was awarded, the Michigan players accepted it and held it aloft. Who was there for our always classy friends Nebraska? No one other than Coach Tom Osborne. What kind of message does that send? From a team that runs up scores against lesser opponents and gives us citizens with the integrity of Lawrence Phillips, I would expect this. Osborne won Nebraska's share of the national championship, not the team. He got the pity vote when he announced his retirement.
Nebraska can claim their championship, but they'll always be looking over their shoulder to make sure a Wolverine isn't around. Two first-place votes isn't much to hide behind!
Aaron Brooks
Engineering senior
To the Daily:
In light of all the stress that the University has been placing upon the importance of diversity on campus, does it strike anyone else as ironic that University Housing has announced that next year's juniors and seniors will not have the option of returning to the "traditional" dorms? While I feel that diversity is important at the University, I also feel that diversity can mean more than just race or skin color.
I imagine that many other students would agree that it is of great benefit to first-year students to have knowledgeable and experienced upper-class students living among them in the "traditional" dorms. Upper-class students set the tone and personality of the various dorms. I also personally believe that learning by example is a very important part of life, and without examples, many first-year students may have a harder time adapting to college life in general.
From everything I have read and heard, the University is saying that this policy change was made to enhance the quality of the first-year experience. I personally feel that the opposite will happen if first-year students are completely segregated from upperclassmen. I know that this is a very complicated issue, but I hope the University administration takes this into serious consideration before making any final decisions in this matter.
Jonathan Mezzadri
LSA junior
To the Daily:
I would like to comment on the article by Janet Adamy on the University's admissions policies ("'U' admissions process alters GPAs," 12/10/97).
Upon reading the information relating how grade point averages are "adjusted," I was quite disturbed to discover that such a practice exists at an institution which prides itself on equality and diversity.
More specifically, I was appalled to read the wording in the article that referred to northern Michigan as an area which is "separated from culturally more sophisticated areas."
As a native of northern Michigan, who shockingly enough has obtained a graduate degree in a hard-core science, performed cancer research at the Mayo Clinic, and is currently employed by the University in biomedical research, I feel that perhaps I should take the time to point out the truth with regard to the level of sophistication there as compared to other areas.
The small rural area from which I originated has produced many individuals who are nationally recognized for their talents; among them James Earl Jones, who received his initial training in acting at our theatre in Manistee, which is now on the national directory of historic places. There is also Interlochen Fine Arts Camp, which is nationally renowned as one the finest programs for musical training in the country. The music program in my high school achieved the phenomenal record of 21 years of blue-ribbon highest honors at the state music festivals. To perpetuate the myth that anything north of Ann Arbor is inhabited by rednecks in pickup trucks who shoot guns and drink without restraint is nothing short of social ignorance. Sophistication is found in the the manner of kindness and respect in which one treats another human being, not in the factors such as where your father went to school, if you live in the South, or other vague guidelines which those in power use to perpetuate their own elite.
Considering that the northern Michigan area taxpayers bear the majority of the tax burden of the state that supports this institution, I feel that a little more respect should be in order.
Speaking from the perspective of one who is accomplished in her field without the benefit of a University of Michigan education, I am glad that I opted to attend a smaller state school in a less "advantaged" area and skipped the course on "Snobbery 101."
Jill Granger
University staff
To the Daily:
We are writing in response to media coverage of the recent lawsuit against the Family Assessment Clinic at the University. The Clinic was found not liable of all charges with little deliberation on the part of the jury. This result came despite the impression of guilt promulgated by the media in the period leading up to the trial. The work of the clinic is vital in protecting children from sexual and physical abuse. We believe this lawsuit to be part of a larger attempt to discredit those at the forefront of this protective effort.
Thus, we urge the media to help ensure the safety of all children by taking an active role in reporting on the full extent of this issue.
Sara Goodkind Jeff Shook
School of Social Work
01-12-98
| Previous Article |
should be sent to: daily.letters@umich.edu | should be sent to: online.daily@umich.edu |