Letters to the Editor

Wheeler's column was 'not very funny'

To the Daily:

Considering that the University of Michigan has its own history of riots when the school's basketball team loses a game in the mens final four, you would think that Daily columnists would be a bit hesitant to continually make jokes about what happened at Michigan State University last year.

Apparently Maize and Blue arrogance is just too all consuming for that. Witness Jacob Wheeler's not very funny April 4 column ("East Lansing fans take to streets out of happiness"). Wheeler bases the entire column on the exaggeration that there is nothing left in East Lansing. He doesn't throw it in as a jab or a snide side comment. It is the premise of the piece!

To pad the column, Wheeler throws in a bunch of references to the amount of alcohol being consumed at victory celebrations. What is his point? Since the implicit argument of the entire piece is that the University is still a better school full of better people than MSU, is he trying to say that this would not happen in Ann Arbor? Wheeler can't be so stupid as to think that University students don't drink? But he is apparently smug enough to imply it in his column.

Micah Holmquist

LSA senior

Trees should not have been cut down

To the Daily:

What was the university thinking when they decided to chop down the pine trees at the corner of Fuller Rd. and Bonisteel Blvd. (on the way to North Campus)? North campus is known for its beautiful, natural environment; and now, part of that environment is gone. What could possibly be more beneficial to the university (and the Earth for that matter) than a forest of oxygen-producing trees that are so characteristic of North Campus' beauty and Ann Arbor's charm?

Lindsay Shipps Dave Lamse

School of music

'U' needs to offer better services for women

To the Daily:

In the editorial entitled "U should offer co-ed dorm housing" (4/3/00), the Daily commented that "the University is usually on the leading edge of breaking issues and opportunities. In 1870 the University was the first large American institution of higher education to admit women."

Although the editorial was a great argument for the need for students to voice their opinions and to create a University that desires to be the "leaders and the best," I would have to say there are much more pressing issues that this University needs to address instead of co-ed dorm housing. Especially if the University wants to maintain its stature as an institution "on the leading edge of breaking issues and opportunities." Many students do not realize they have peers who do not have the opportunity to live safe and affordable housing. This is especially true for students with children and dependent responsibilities. Since most of us are living off financial aid and part-time jobs what we can afford is often below standard and outside of Ann Arbor.

Many individuals do not realize that for those of us who are unable to work fulltime because of answerabilities such as school and children, we find it impossible to have decent health insurance for our children and ourselves. Unfortunately MSA health care does not cover dependents or most expenses. In addition the University has a limited number of daycares which are above average in cost (between $650-$800 a month). Thus daycare at the University is not accessible to many students with children.

Before we address freedoms of choice such as living in co-ed dorm rooms we need to discuss greater issues on hand. The issues being that the University does not protect the necessary rights of housing, health care and daycare for its students. If the University wants to carry on its legacy as being on the leading edge of women's rights, breaking issues and opportunities, there will have to be some serious changes. For as of now it is a disgrace as to how student parents and their children are considered on this campus. But, if there are to be changes to be made it has to start now and here. For those interested in learning more and supporting ideas on how to make this a more child and parent-friendly University, check out the Feminist Fair on April 6. It will be held on the Diag from 11-4 p.m. There will be information and a petition for those to sign if they believe this University can better itself through expanding rights for women, parents and children.

Jennifer Monahan

LSA senior