The Michigan Review

GEO Wins Concessions from U-M in Strike Settlement

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Late on March 25th, the University of Michigan Administration reached a tentative contract agreement with bargaining team members of the Graduate Employees Organization. GEO made major strides since negotiations began December 6th of 2007. In a press release dated December 10th, GEO announced its proposal for a parental leave policy, a provision that did not currently exist in the contract.

Ann Arbor Ranked as "City for Walking," but is it Walkable?

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Ann Arbor has been ranked third best city for walking by Prevention fitness magazine and the American Podiatric Association. The methodology the magazine used included judging aspects such as "safe streets, beautiful places to walk, mild weather, and good air quality," in addition to the percentage of population that walks for exercise, use of mass transit, parks per square mile, "points of interest" per square mile, average winter/summer temperatures, and percentage of athletic shoe buyers.

Prof Recalls Family's Holocaust Stories

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On March 27th, Victor Rosenberg, a professor in the School of Information, gave a presentation about his family members who lived during the Holocaust in Germany during World War II.

The presentation was centered around the letters that Rosenberg's uncles, grandparents, and cousins had written from a Nazi labor camp to Rosenberg's father, who had immigrated to the United States before the war began.

Prominent Libertarian Anchor Speaks Out Against Socialized...Everything

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

ABC's "20/20" anchor John Stossel came to campus recently to tell students why "Socialized Medicine Stinks." The event was sponsored by the College Libertarians, Young Americans for Freedom, and Students for a Free Economy.

Stossel began his career as a consumer reporter for a local television news program in Portland, Oregon, and then in New York City.

UMix: For Those Who Are Sober on Friday Nights

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Where can you see screenings of recent movies, hear student performances, see dance groups, ride a mechanical bull, play laser tag, and enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet? The student organization UMix offers these free activities to Michigan students, who only need to present their MCard to access these events.

Flint YAF Bakes up Controversy

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Bake sales are rarely controversial events. The recent bake sale undertaken by the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter on the University of Michigan's Flint campus was an exception. Flint's YAF group began posting flyers, simply stating "Affirmative Action Bake Sale" with a time and location early last week.

No Great Wall: Free Discussion of China at U-M

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A banner on East University reads "Moving Forward Together" and "Hua Mei," or "partner," in Chinese characters, implying a partnership between the University and the People's Republic of China as the tone for LSA's "China Now" theme year. With events ranging from the visit of Chinese ambassador Zhou Wenzhong to the planned visit of the Dalai Lama in April, a meeting that is sure to anger the Chinese government, the tone of the University's politics towards China can be described as mixed.

Republicans Struggle With Zatkoff

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

In an election year, Michigan's umbrella organization of College Republicans-The Michigan Federation of College Republicans (MFCR)-has effectively crumbled, reflecting the controversial tenure of U-M student Justin Zatkoff as the organization's chairman.

After transferring from Oakland University to the University of Michigan in early 2007, an ambitious Zatkoff embarked on a path to power that has been marked by strong-arm tactics, rancorous presidential politics, and, critics say, potential violations of Michigan campaign finance law.

U-M Faces Lawsuit Over Profs' Home Adresses

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The University is currently fighting a lawsuit from the Michigan Federation of Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers and the AFL-CIO on the University's policy on employee privacy. The case, in the court system since 2004, reached the Michigan Supreme Court earlier this month.

Panel Calls for Private Sector Role in Education

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, March 19, 2008, the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy sponsored a panel of education reform specialists to debate what role the private sector should have in K-12 public education. While the opinions of the panelists varied regarding implementation strategies, they all agreed on two fundamental issues: the American public education is failing and the private sector ought to play a larger role if it is to be righted.

"Black" Improv Show Plays to Racial Stereotypes

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

After twenty minutes of mouthing to Hip-Hop and R&B, the student on the stage at the Images of Identity Improv Comedy Show told the audience, "We done with the ignorant music, now to the ignorant performance." A second later he added, "I'm sorry I just said that, I make it sound like anything associated with black people is ignorant.

Letter from the Editor

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This is my last issue as Editor-in-Chief of The Michigan Review. I've been on staff since Welcome Weekend of my freshmen year, but now, as graduation approaches, I think the lyrics of the Smashing Pumpkins sum things up well: "All things must surely have to end.

Graduate Union, University Strike Out

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On the way to class Tuesday morning, picketing graduate student instructors could be seen bobbing their white signs outside of the business school and various other campus locales. All were chanting, and some were singing civil rights tunes with the words "The Union Speaks for Us" inserted where "Liberty and Freedom" used to be.

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Those who know me will tell you that I have very particular tastes in music. I'm known for a dictatorial control of the stereo in the Review's office, blaring out my preferred music, mostly a mixture of alternative rock.

One guilty pleasure, though, is Kanye West's "Stronger.

Worst of Ann Arbor

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Every year, our friends at The Michigan Daily publish a "Best of Ann Arbor" list. And, don't get us wrong--there are a lot of great things about Ann Arbor--but as all too many seniors know, there are just as many daily hassles and annoyances we're glad to be rid of by the time we graduate.

Rome'-ward Bound

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Ann Arbor residents place mutually exclusive demands on their city all the time. Several years the city passed a greenbelt to preserve farmland but now residents are concerned that increased density will ravish their neighborhoods.

I'm no longer shocked by these irreconcilable demands.

Ann Arbor a Good Place to Spend Four (or 3) Years

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

On paper, I am coming out of the University of Michigan much as I expected I would. I'm receiving an economics degree and going to law school-something I decided I would do at the end of high school. I'm still voting Republican this fall, and I still go to church every Sunday.

Goodbye, "Blue"

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

It's inevitable. No matter how much wisdom I think I've gained in the last four years, four years from now whatever I have written here will make me laugh at my naivety. Hopefully there's something to be said for making that realization now rather than in hindsight, but I doubt it.

MFCR Chair Zatkoff Must Resign

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Justin Zatkoff is a tragic figure in the truest sense of the word.

As we report in this issue, his reign as Chairman of the Michigan Federation of College Republicans (MFCRs) has been nothing short of tumultuous. Having come to power just over a year ago, he has effectively run this state's umbrella organization of College Republicans into the ground, demonstrating more concern for his own consolidation of power than for the health of political discourse.

Seniors Hope Michigan Will Change

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

This year, four senior editors are saying goodbye to The Michigan Review. Over the years, we have seen the best and worst of what the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor have to offer. In spite of our critiques of the University over time, deep down we will miss this place, as well as the ability to write about our qualms in the Review.

An Ode

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Ah, Brian Biglin.

Like a mighty looming fortress (emphasis on looming),

He stands on the precipice of unrighteousness.

Taunting the forces of liberalism in his tastefully paired polos and khaki, he ensures that goodness will live to fight another day.

Ah, what shall we do now without our prince of justice,
With his sword of might and glasses of knowledge?

Shall we walk into the mist of diversity without Ouzo in hand?

Ah, nay, for Brian Biglin will be there.

Greek Week Inspires Herodotean Study of Greek History

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A recent article in "Michigan Today," a monthly online magazine for alumni and friends of U-M, describes the origins of Greek Life at U-M. In the beginning of the Greek system, fraternities were viewed as anti-establishment, and fought constantly with the University.

Banging on Eardrums: Talib Kweli Visits Ann Arbor

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I am not a rap person. My iTunes music collection includes the occasional popular hip-hop tune, but the closest I have to rap is Jay-Z's short intro to the most recent Fallout Boy album. But with his astounding performance here in Ann Arbor last week, emcee Talib Kweli threatened to change my mind completely.

Spring: Of Magic and Miniskirts

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

I'm writing about the unofficial holiday we're all quietly waiting for this month. Not April Fool's Day, 4/20, or Earth Day, but the first warm day on campus.
For the women reading, the immediate reaction is probably along the lines of, "Effing duh. Everyone loves warm weather and the school year coming to the year.

Author Discards 'Race Card' in Frank Discussion of Race

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT

Turn on the news, and you'll soon see that race is at the forefront of American politics with the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama. Now is the time that America needs to look at the history and future of the way the law deals with race. "The Race Card: How Bluffing about Bias Makes Race Relations Worse," by Richard Thompson Ford, is the kind of frank discussion of where we have been and where we are going that we need to bring this issue into focus.