To the Daily:
Every day to and from classes for two years I have read the Daily. Most people agree that the opinion page is the most popular, perhaps because it's the most entertaining. But I have a bit of a problem. It seems as though your columnists, Branden Sanz in particular, use their column spaces to promote themselves and friends. Sanz is great at making an issue out of something he feels the need to brag about (saving girls in grocery stores, being a tough army guy.) Sanz is only part of the problem. Take for example Jennifer Strausz's piece on killing centipedes in the name of her and her best friend! Hurrah for you two, I love you guys!
Come on! Can we get some more obvious 'friend' plugs in a campus publication? It's too bad Scott Hunter and Jack Schillaci don't have more time on their hands or they could write in place of the aforementioned duo. I guess we don't live in a perfect world; if we did, there would be a "Man Day," wouldn't there?
Adam Wilson
Engineering sophomore
To the Daily:
I wish to take this opportunity to congratulate the Daily on its continued excellence. Never have I felt so secure that my campus newspaper is bringing me all the information I need to be aware of the important events of the University.
In that respect, it's good to see that the Daily is well on top of today's news. I was at first somewhat worried that the issue of green versus clear recycle bins would not receive enough coverage. Luckily, it received the banner headline of last Tuesday's issue: "Green Bins Clearly Wrong Choice" (10/26/99). I actually have been losing sleep over the idea of green recycle bins in Michigan Stadium. Clearly the most important on-campus news was brought to the attention of the countless Daily readers. I'm sure this issue inspired more than a "look-over" of the classifieds and an early morning lecture spent on the crossword puzzle.
Personally, when I'm busy aiming for the cameraman with my Absopure bottle, I'm glad that other people won't have to recycle theirs in a bin tinted with Spartan green. I'm eternally thankful that next time I watch the Wolverines get stunned by a team like Illinois, I'll be consoled by the fact that at least we don't have green bins. Thanks again for bringing this issue to the campus' attention. I'm really sick of hearing about things that don't affect our lives.
Tim Slovik
LSA junior
To the Daily:
I am writing to offer an international perspective on our University's preoccupation with under-age drinking. It is well known among international travellers that a legal drinking age of 21 years is particular to the United States.
Last week, I attended orientation at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, where I will be spending this academic year. At this orientation I learned there is alcohol all over campus, and it's really not a big deal. There are cafes in almost every academic building that serve beer and wine along with other beverages, sandwiches and deserts. There is also an independent bar on campus, run completely by students, that serves beer at lunch time, between classes and in the evening.
I was shocked and ashamed to compare this to the way the University and its students handle under age drinking and irresponsible drinking in Ann Arbor. The idea of students serving alcohol to other students at lunch time seems so foreign to the interruption of private parties by police, instigated by an administration obsessed with in loco parentis. I know there are cultural differences between the Europe and the United States and that traditions exist in each country that necessitate different approaches to alcohol consumption. But I think the trust and respect with which the University of Lausanne treats its students in regards to their consumption of alcohol puts the University of Michigan to shame. We are treated like adults in Lausanne and, some how, we end up acting appropriately.
Aaron Traxler-Ballew
LSA senior
11-03-99
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