Letters to the Editor

'U' treats athletes differently

To the Daily:

After reading Friday's article about Steve Nadel ("Nadel suspended after Code hearing"), I feel it necessary to point out a double standard in the policy regarding academic punishments for sex offenders.

Steve Nadel was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for a crime committed in February. As you may recall, this is much like the case of one Jason Brooks, also convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for a crime committed February of the same year. Nadel was suspended indefinitely; Brooks was not suspended from the University at all.

The difference? Brooks is a member of the U of M football team - Nadel is not. Nadel faced an academic punishment that could easily lead to his not receiving a degree - Brooks was not allowed to play football for four games.

A double standard surfaces. It becomes clear where the University's interest lies: Punishing sex offenders is all well and good so long as it does not interfere with our precious football. I'd say we must ask ourselves what is more important to us as human beings, a fundamental respect for all people or sports? Is it more important to us to have people who can walk the streets of Ann Arbor without fear or to have students who can throw a ball really well?

I'd say that the University has shown us a gross miscarriage of common judgement, one that is certainly not in the interest of its students' safety, but rather its pocketbook.

Matt Hapeman

LSA sophomore

Letter made things worse

To the Daily:

While it would, no doubt, be an honor to plant my lips on Princess Rachael Farber's backside, I fail to understand how doing so will mend relations at this wonderful university. The harsh words Farber had for my previous letter only serve to make my feelings stronger. Since when is criticism a capital offense outside of Staten Island? I had merely wanted to express my opinions of the fragmentation of the student body. I foolishly believed that some students from New York would appreciate it. I was wrong. Farber, if you still wish for me to kiss your ass, I'm having my teeth cleaned on Thursday.

Ken Galica

LSA junior

Lockyer was 'right on'

To the Daily:

Sarah Lockyer is right on about the zealots and converts who control this campus "The fervor of the new convert," 11/10/98). These zealots convince people that U of M truly has a political atmosphere. I beg to differ. Most of the propaganda and rallies involve protesting minuscule issues, like freeing a cop killer. Others believe that sleeping on the diag in 20-degree weather will curb the homeless problem.

Unfortunately, there is no political balance at U of M. Nearly every political organization is shifted to the left. This results in Communist groups whining about tyranny in the United States. Sadly, the professors fuel these leftist/zealot groups. Most of these groups base their arguments on subjective emotion, not rational theory.

While the leftist groups lack a philosophical base, at least they exist. Most conservative/suburban students could care less about our world today. They come to college not to learn, but to major in business and get drunk. This is our campus today. While the zealots keep whining, the others keep staring at the wall.

Scott Behnan

LSA first-year student

Societies are 'racist'

To the Daily:

First, I want to thank the Daily for even acknowledging that the Tower Societies even exist, as many people at this University would like to prevent the majority of the student body from knowing what goes on in their own Union at all ("Secret societies pressed to go coed," 10/28/98). Second, however, is a complaint on the breadth of the article. While the fact the both Michiguama and Adara are in violation of Title IX is important, what is even more upsetting is their co-opting of Native American culture. Anyone who has walked by the Union on Monday nights has heard the drumming and chanting coming from the Tower, which is some misguided and disrespectful attempt on Michiguama's part to create a sense of brotherhood and community by desecrating two parts of many Native American religions. Most students do not know about the totem pole that was supposedly removed from an area near the University ropes course, the tree by the Grad Library that they used to paint red late at night or the silly names members used to give each other mocking Native names. If the culture and religion of any other minority group on this campus was so blatantly trivialized and misrepresented, this University would be in an uproar. So I ask you to consider this as not only an issue of sexism, but as an issue of blatant and University-sponsored racism. Removing the Tower Societies from University property because they violate Title IX is only the first step. Acknowledging that they have been a form of University-sponsored racism for nearly a century is the second, and most important. A really sincere apology wouldn't hurt either.

Jen Trudell

Chair, MSA LGBT Commission Planning Team, Queer Unity Project LSA junior

11-12-98