Letters to the Editor

Shopping for books can be frustrating

To the Daily:

Once again, I embark on my quest for knowledge at this fine University, irritated by the prevalent disorganization and frustration inherent in book buying. Honestly, if given a choice between playing ice sculpture outside of Shaman Drum Bookshop for an hour or having my bicuspids extracted sans novocaine, I would embrace the pliers, purchase some Polident Partials, and call it a day. And if my classmates' shivering bodies are any indication, I speak for the Thinsulate-clad majority here.

May I gently remind those geniuses who have decided to spread the texts around 15 separate locations that this is not a scavenger hunt. I do not need a can of lima beans or some scissors from the lady down the street. I just need my books without the games. Let me reiterate that it is cold. Crazy things happen in cold weather. If you don't believe me, rent "Fargo."

As I write this, I cannot wait to get my mitts on my required Spanish 231 supplement. Yet when I inquire about it, workers at Ulrich's Bookstore, the Michigan Union Bookstore and Michigan Book & Supply give me that down-trodden look of resignation, knowing that simple words of encouragement will not appease the beast. They have seen it, they assure me. It exists. In fact, everyone has seen it except me. This text is mythic. In fact, I have come to the conclusion that I have a better chance of spotting a unicorn on the Diag than I do of purchasing it in a timely manner. But I will find that book. I will prevail. And when I do, watch out world.

But I digress. I am encouraged by the involvement of students in and the growth of the Student Book Exchange. I hope such proactive measures continue to combat what has become a menace. Perhaps we could put our collective brain power and surplus tuition money together to erect a giant, one-stop Super Kmart for books. Forget the Great Pyramids or the Eiffel Tower, this would be an awe-inspiring sight. Perhaps then, true to '60s idealism, students could protest issues with widespread relevance rather than be forced to regulate a system that should be regulated for them. While standing outside of Accu-Copy in the negative five-degree weather, the very thought brought a tear to my eye. It promptly froze.

Stacey Phillips

LSA senior

'U' has prepared for Y2K since 1985

To the Daily:

Thank you to reporter Jaimie Winkler and the Daily for spotlighting the University's efforts to deal with potential Year 2000 computer problems - often referred to as the Y2K Millennium Bug ("Campus readies for Y2K," 1/8/99). I'd like to offer a little more detail about our Y2K efforts because, although a casual reader of Winkler's article last Friday might infer that the University has just began to deal with the problem, we have actually been addressing anticipated Y2K issues since 1985 and have accomplished a great deal here at the University in the past 12 months. We believe we are on track to minimize any potential impact this problem might have at the University on Jan. 1, 2000.

People who would like to know what the University has done in this area should start with our Y2K Website, http://www.year2000. umich.edu. Here are just a few of the University's Y2K accomplishments in 1998:

n The University's central systems are well on their way to being compliant; some have already been tested and others are scheduled for testing in 1999.

n All units appointed Y2K representatives to spearhead assessments of departmental systems. An assessment tool was developed and unit representative training was provided. Almost all of the unit assessments were completed by last September.

n Three workgroups comprised of unit Y2K representatives reviewed the assessments and identified areas requiring additional investigation and steps.

n Contingency plans are being prepared and will be in place by June 30, 1999, to provide backup and recovery procedures to ensure that key services are not disrupted for the entire University.

n A focused communications effort was begun in early 1998 to help the campus understand what was being done about the year 2000 problem. We set up the Y2K Website, numerous articles have been written, and we published a full-page ad in the University Record in April to help promote the University's Y2K information campaign.

n The University hosted a forum last November where municipal leaders across Michigan spent an afternoon discussing their communities' approaches to the Y2K problem.

Jose-Marie Griffiths

Chief Information Officer of the Information Technology Division

Rose's predictions were poor

To the Daily:

I would officially like to nominate myself to replace Jim Rose for the 1999-2000 football season predictions.

Granted, I didn't have as good of a record as I would have had if I had simply picked the exact opposite of Rose, but I did have a respectable record, and I think I was one of the few people in the country who actually thought, no knew, that Purdue would beat Kansas State.

Chris Zann

LSA sophomore

'Patch' review was misinformed

To the Daily:

Q: What's the difference between a doctor and God?

A: God doesn't sit around all day thinking he's a doctor.

This joke, while by no means a classic, speaks volumes about the medical profession and is a key point of the new Robin Williams film "Patch Adams." But this point seems to have eluded Aaron Rich entirely ("'Patch' can't find funny bone," 1/6/99). Rich calls the film another "unadulterated showcase of (Williams's) comedic skill." Apparently, Rich was so busy looking for "Mork and Mindy" that he failed to notice the beautiful, well-written film playing out on the screen before him.

Rich seems to feel that Adams never heals the inner demons from which he suffers in a mental institution. The fact of the matter is that it is here that he makes the largest character leap, realizing that every person/patient is a unique individual with hopes, dreams, fears, and yes, even demons. It is this growth that causes Adams to conclude that doctors should "treat the patient, not the disease," and this "mantra," as Rich calls it, sets up the character dynamic of Adams and is the foundation on which all of the action builds.

Rich also blindly asserts that Adams never makes the slightest growth or development, even after the death of a friend caused by his unconventional methods.

In actuality, Adams, in the grave-side scene that is no less moving or powerful than the similar scene at the end of "Forrest Gump," begins to feel that his methods are perhaps unnecessary, unappreciated and unwelcome, and goes through a tremendous period of self-doubt.

It is only after deep reflection and mending of rifts with his foes that he becomes sure of what he is doing again, and his determination shines through like never before.

Perhaps Rich was too busy waiting for Williams to holler "Good morning Vietnam!" to be aware of the complexity of Williams's role.

"Patch Adams" was a wonderfully moving film; in terms of Williams's serious films, it ranks right alongside "Dead Poets' Society" and "Good Will Hunting."

Perhaps if the Daily realized what a touching film it was and didn't expect another Williams farce, it wouldn't have dropped the ball on this review.

Jim Knapp

School of Music

01-11-99