University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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t -f V ?H Maria Russell discusses the pla Agamemnon ; her first-year Great Books 191 class. Many professors at the University were involved in some sort of research, but some stu- dents felt that this compromised the quality of education they were receiving. Sarah SmiK ' kcr Research vs. Teaching + 43

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is research beneficial J. photo eour!i y of Daivn Hubhard I unior LSA student Rakhi Shah, a par id pant in the Undergraduate Research Op portunities Program (UROP), conducts re search. Students had many opportunities tt participate in research. Manv students he lieved that research was an essential coin portent to their education. t ur educati story by Enraia Cartwright Known for being one of the top five research facilities in the nation, the University is dedicated to carrying out research. Every professor should be conducting research. Not only does research lead to advances in society, but it also brings money to the University in the form of government grants and funding. While some claim that the research aspect of the University detracts from their learning, my experience with research taught me more than any other classroom experience. As a first-year student, I was involved in the Under- graduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). I joined a group that was researching the effects of domestic violence on children. Not only did I gain valuable experience in data entry, personal interviews, and analysis, but I learned about the intense work and preparation that must be put into a research project. Through my field work I was introduced to research concepts and the mechanics of a research project. I am not the only student on this campus who has benefited from actively participating in a research project. There were 1 3 other assis- tants in my group and over 435 projects which required assis- tance. Fellow research assistant and psychology major Natalie Belvins said, It was one of the best research experiences I have ever had. Not only did I conduct interviews, but I was aware of the results our research was finding; I knew what was going on in every area of the project. Without research, the University would deprive stu- dents of valuable opportunities and society of valuable discov- eries. Some students feel research is overemphasized at the University, but these are not the students who are taking advantage of the opportunities available to them. 42 Research vs. Teaching stry by Celina Criss So here we are, 23,163 undergraduate students at the University of Michigan. Our purpose is the pursuit of ahighei education. Considering that most professors at the University are involved in personal research, do we really receive the education we pay for. work for. and deserve? We certainly cannot dispute the many incredible dis- coveries made here. For example, in 1996 the medical school announced the development of a new prosthetic knee. Ap- proximately 93% of the medical center was dedicated to this research but, what other useful studies came out of all this dedication? Despite the benefits of research, the quality of educa tion the students received was at stake. Many professors involved in research aren ' t even working on anything useful tc society but instead are researching just for the sake of research ing! said LSA sophomore Jonathan Kalbfeld, a student frus trated by the inattention of his preoccupied professors. The University ' s Mission Statement clearly outlined an emphasis on research, teaching, and service. Our faculty is expected to juggle these three substantial responsibilities in order to advance their career; it ' s not surprising that many excellent academics burn out. If a professor ' s time is consumed by the demands of research, it means less time for students, fewer office hours, and lack of interest in the class itself. Thus, research is more detrimental to students than it is helpful. We cannot afford situations like this. It is not fair to us. the students, to our parents, or even to our future employers. We are paying for a world-class education, only to be slighted! by theresearch that reigns over the University. layout by Emma Cartwright

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ms a Peter Nielsen tJohn Lopez and other Michigan Student As sembly (MSA) representatives vote whether to support the appearance of Senator Ton Hoyden at the University. MSA more than doubled student fees to help fund student organizations. The fee increase to $6.H caused an outcry among students wh thought it was unnecessary. necessary stry by Melissa Keenigsberg Serving as a liaison for the tremendous student body of the University to the administration, the Michigan Student As sembly (MSA) strove to guarantee student rights. Funding campus events and organizations, and safeguarding the right to higher education, MSA encompasses virtually every student from each niche of the University. MSA is the only central student government which represents all undergraduate and graduate students, said MSA President, junior archaeology major Fiona Rose. MSA branches out beyond the Ann Arbor campus in order to address students ' concerns and provide benefits pro- moting equal opportunity at the University. MSA is a valuable resource which recognizes and funds over 600 student groups and offices. The members elected to the assembly provide a platform to voice student concerns and work to implement new programming. Chair of the Peace and Justice Commission, anthropol- ogy senior Chris McCann said, It is not just what MSA does, it ' s what they can help students do. This year we are helping Project Serve. They do a lot of community service with faculty, staff and students. People in MSA are pushing for a student regent, reforming the meal plan, campus safety projects and getting in touch with officials at the University and other universities to see what works with students. MSA is there to lobby on students ' rights and needs with the administration and the Regents. When it comes down to it, the administration may be happy to make decisions regarding students without their input, and MSA serves as an impediment to that kind of governance at this University, said Chair of the Student ' s Right ' s Commission junior Anne Marie Ellison. If students are truly going to have a voice in administra- tive decisions, MSA must continue its lines of communication with the student body. 44 4 Michigan Student Assembly stry by Jhn Whelan Although Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) pr vides a forum for students to raise their concerns, it is an inefficient organization that wastes students ' money. As the 1996 MSA elections showed, students do not really care about student government. Voter turnout was only nine percent! Students are oblivious to the policies that MSA under- takes, and if they were aware of all the waste that occurs, most would be irate. Few people know that MSA representatives travel to Washington, D.C., Arizona, and other places financed with student funds. The stated purpose of the trips is to represent the students in lobbying efforts, but escaping the Michigan winter remained a more plausible and likely reason.. When LSA senior Jacob Gin was informed of the trips, he said No one mentions that when they run for these [MSA] offices I think the whole thing is a waste. Even when MSA decides to spend our money to hel out on campus, their methods for allocating funds are question able. Any group or organization can submit a budget proposa for funds from the Budget Priorities Committee (BPC). The BPC ' s allocation system is random and provides no explana tions for its decisions. In the fall, MSA proposed to more than double student fees, raising them from $2.69 to $6.19 pei student. The fee increase would set a dangerous preceden however, because it would allow special interest groups t dictate MSA ' s budget. Fortunately, students realized this wa insane, and voted down the measure. If MSA is going to continue, it has to end its fre spending ways and remember its purpose is to voice studen concerns. It might be fun for MSA officials to play governmen while at the University, but they are playing with students money. MSA is not part of the solution, MSA is part of the problem. Other Big Ten schools, like Penn State and Purdue, do not have a student body government, and the Universit doesn ' t need one either. iayut by Emma Cartwright