To the Daily:
Hey, Michigan fans and alumni, it seems Syracuse's athletic director has taken a play from University Athletic Director Tom Goss's playbook - charge loyal Michigan fans more money to support the teams they love. The Syracuse ticket office has decided that all University alumni and students who want to go the game Sept. 18 are going to have to but a ticket for Syracuse's football game against Central Michigan. Forget the fact that we can watch CMU anytime we want, they aren't worth watching anyway.
Syracuse wants to generate more revenue, so like Goss, they are deferring the cost onto the fan. Paying $55 for a game that costs only $23 for a Syracuse fan is unfair.
We want to support the football team, so what should we do? Ideally, no Michigan fan should buy a ticket to that game, since we can watch the game on TV for free. Many Michigan fans may choose to watch the games on TV next year, since Goss has decided to raise general tickets by $8. Look what has happened to the student section at hockey games this year after Goss raised ticket prices for no apparent reason. Students do the "Blackhole Chant" when we are losing, or haven't even scored a goal.
Sports is a huge industry. It was the same in the days of Rome, as it now. The question is how much money do these athletic directors need, so they can sleep at night?
Kevin Hurley
LSA senior
To the Daily:
Andy Latack hit the nail right on the head with his column about Louis Bullock ("Classy Bullock a true leader for 'M'," 2/24/99). Despite the team's forgettable record, Bullock has always been the epitome of class. It must be extremely frustrating for Bullock, a superstar in his final season, to face the harsh reality that there will be no NCAA tournament in his future.
Bullock is a role model for all athletes. His ability, both on the court and off, to maintain his composure and never overreact are skills that cannot be taught. His experience and leadership will be missed next year. Latack was absolutely right. It's about time that Louis Bullock gets the respect he has earned.
Drew Bratt
LSA first-year student
To the Daily:
I am disappointed in the Daily's lack of coverage of the University of Michigan mock trial team's success. In mock trial, students simulate lawyers and witnesses in a court case and compete against approximately 400 other colleges and universities. While students do not have to be pre-law to join, most of them are and find that mock trial provides invaluable experience to courtroom procedure and rules of evidence. Not many people on campus know about mock trial - we receive very little support or recognition from the University. Even University President Lee Bollinger, former dean of the Law School, ignores our attempts to contact him despite touting the importance of academics.
The mock trial team is entirely student run. We do not have a coach - our ideas, procedures and most of our funds are student generated. We are always searching for mediums to alert students, professors and members of the legal community that our team exists. The fact that the Daily does not deem mock trial important undercuts everything we have done and hope to do.
The mock trial team has achieved remarkable success despite this lack of support and recognition. Last year, we placed fifth at the national championships and won a national title in another competition. This year, the team is well on its way to bettering those finishes. Earlier this year, we placed fourth at a national invitational, and last weekend we won first place at the regional tournament at the University of Notre Dame, thus earning a bid to compete at the national championship in April. The Daily did not report any of these triumphs.
The members of the mock trial team deserve recognition for being one of the top teams in the country and for representing the University with excellence. Beyond that, the student body deserves the right to know that this team exists, especially those who are interested in joining.
Joelle Renstrom
LSA junior
To the Daily:
Yesterday's Day of Action promised a day of education on the benefits of affirmative action. In fact, organizations such as the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) promised "an opportunity to organize, educate and take action." But BAMN and like organizations do not educate. Discourse and open dialogue are replaced with witless platitudes and blatant ugliness.
BAMN's use of unthinking rhetoric is clearly displayed in its Day of Action advertisements. BAMN dismisses Prop 209-like legislation as "racist," thereby stunting the possibility of dialogue. BAMN's advertisement suggests that all Republicans are racist and that black persons can only express pro-affirmative action views. BAMN refers to Republican state Sen. David Jaye (R-Macomb) as a modern day George Wallace. In the '90s, however, "George Wallace" cannot resegregate alone. He must "latch-up" with former University of California Regent Ward Connerly, "the black Republican frontman."
Given BAMN's promoted goal of attaining diversity, one would think that it could appreciate the political diversity on the topic of racial preferences. That is simply not the case. BAMN and its ilk are not here to educate. They are in a war and will win "By Any Means Necessary."
Such extremism is evidenced by the use of phrases such as "preparing forces," "defeating the threat," "attack" and "defense." Those of us who have made up our minds to disagree are the enemy and there is no redemption for us. If we are white, we are racists; if we are not white, we are sell-outs. But, for those who haven't made up their minds and remain intellectually undecided, the answer is clear - chuck the logic and pick up the outrage. There is always a place for you at BAMN.
Perhaps we have learned something as a result of BAMN's efforts. At best, we have learned the art of inartful rhetoric. At worst, we have learned the same thing.
Giji John
Law School
To the Daily:
I would like to commend the student body and the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan on their Slice of Life program. The enjoyed the experience of attending classes, experiencing the life of the students, and seeing how everything works on campus.
The program was very helpful because I learned about the different fields of classes that are offered at the University. I'd like to say thanks to the whole student body and the Alumni Association for the great experience.
Rick Maynard
Rolling Meadows High School
02-26-99
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