December 14, 2000
After a month-long mockery of democracy and the electoral
process, the majority of American voices lost out. Vice President
Al Gore, despite winning the popular vote, chipperly and cheesily
conceded to the electoral college, to the less-than-trust-inspiring
legal wrangling in Florida and to Texas Gov. George W. Bush.
***
There is little question that with all votes counted in Florida,
Gore would most likely have prevailed. But with partisan politics
rearing its ugly head, a total and complete counting of the votes
became impossible. It is unfortunate the that most basic right in
America, the right we fought to secure more than 200 years ago, was
superceded by politics and an all-out attempt to win the White
House.
The Bush presidency will forever be tainted by illegitimacy.
Without a popular vote victory, Bush is hampered. But with even the
electoral tally in doubt due to the questionable final Florida vote
count, Bush will have a taught time assuming the role of President
of the entire United States.
October 3, 2001
It was Nov. 8, 1997. The Michigan football team had just beaten
Penn State and the Wolverines were on the path to the Rose Bowl and
a national championship. Thousands of cheering fans, unable to make
it to State College for the game, filled the streets of Ann Arbor,
crowding South University Avenue. As the peaceful mob came to a
stop outside the President’s House, chants of “We want
Lee!” rose up from the crowd.
The president, not even a year into his term, opened the doors
and invited countless screaming students inside. The president was
swarmed by adoring students.
This was Lee C. Bollinger’s crowning moment as the
University’s 12th president. The new leader, loved by all,
became a campus celebrity. He was on top of the world.
Fast forward to February 2000 — Bollinger’s darkest
hour.
The veteran administrator came under fire for the controversial
forced resignation of the Athletic Director Tim Goss. A group of
students occupying the Michigan Union tower were demanding that
Bollinger cut ties with the senior honorary society Michigamua
while another, across the way in the LSA Building, occupied the
dean’s office. Coupled with yet another men’s
basketball scandal, it was obvious that the glory days of Lee C.
Bollinger were over..
***
Indeed, the Bollinger era was marked with extreme high and low
points. Bollinger was well liked by the majority of the student
population and faculty. He brought the University to greatness and
garnered respect around the world. But Bollinger’s time at
the University of Michigan will soon end. For his future at
Columbia, only time will tell.
February 21, 2002
Following the one-day walkout, GEO will hold a membership
meeting on March 17, at which point it will seriously consider
striking indefinitely. After four months of marathon bargaining
sessions and frayed nerves, GEO is now prepared to take this
serious and campus-transforming action.
While even a temporary work stoppage would impact many
undergraduates’ education and an extended strike would
seriously disrupt the function of the University, GEO’s
action is wholly appropriate. The unwillingness of the
University’s negotiating team to compromise on key issues of
the GEO platform has left GEO with no other option. University
students should display solidarity for the union by actively
participating in the walkout and not crossing GEO’s picket
line.