The Ann Arbor Chronicle » Old Media Watch

UM: Lacrosse

Chronicle Staff — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 05:37:43 +0000

The New York Times profiles the University of Michigan men’s lacrosse team, and its transition from a club to a varsity sport. “Although women’s varsity teams have cropped up at high-profile Football Bowl Subdivision universities like Florida and Southern California in recent years, men’s programs have been elusive quarry. Michigan, which opens its inaugural varsity season Sunday, is one of 13 F.B.S. colleges with a men’s lacrosse team — and the first to add the sport since President Reagan took office. The expansion of Division I men’s lacrosse, which is not a revenue sport, at F.B.S. universities has been hindered largely by high overhead costs and Title IX compliance. Michigan leapt these hurdles with a grass-roots approach.” [Source]

A2: Domestic Partners

Chronicle Staff — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:03:22 +0000

The Detroit Free Press published a guest column by Jenny Oorbeck of Ann Arbor, who argues that decisions like the state’s recent ban on public employers offering benefits to domestic partners make Michigan an unwelcoming state. She notes other reasons why Michigan falls short: ”Thanks to our discriminatory laws, I have no legal relationship with my younger son, who was born here (I am not his biological mother), which is absurd. By contrast, our older son, born in California (again, I am not his biological mother) is legally my child. I was listed on his birth certificate because California recognizes our marriage. To us, it is a mark of shame on Michigan that only one of our sons has two legally recognized parents, despite our having started our family together intentionally, conceived both children in the same manner, and all live together.” [Source]

UM: Muslim Chaplain

Chronicle Staff — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:04:26 +0000

National Public Radio reports on the hiring of a Muslim chaplain this year at the University of Michigan – the first public university to have this kind of endowed position. The chaplaincy is funded through donations solicited by the Michigan Muslim Alumni Foundation. The job is held by Mohammed Tayssir Safi, who told NPR: “There’s not a solid environment where a Muslim feels — perhaps ‘safe’ is the right word, not from violence but safe as in they feel safe and at home in being able to express themselves and who they are.” [Source]

UM: Emergency Manager Panel

Chronicle Staff — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:19:10 +0000

Michigan Radio reports on a Feb. 6 panel discussion at the University of Michigan about the state’s emergency manager law. The forum included Ann Arbor Democrats Jeff Irwin and Conan Smith – Irwin is a state representative and Smith is chair of the Washtenaw County board of commissioners – as well as Flint mayor Dayne Walling and Howard Ryan, a state treasury official. Responding to a question about the salaries paid to EMs, Ryan said: ”It is one of the hardest, most difficult jobs imaginable. You’re going into a very hostile environment where nobody wants you there, nobody, not even…I mean…nobody.” Because EMs make tough decisions in cities with a great level of complexity, “you just can’t find people who will do it inexpensively,” he said. [Source]

UM: Super Bowl

Chronicle Staff — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:52:27 +0000

In advance of Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between the New York Giants and New England Patriots, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press interviews Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady about how his time on the University of Michigan football team has influenced his NFL career: ”I think I was very fortunate in college to go through some pretty stiff competition. A lot of the lessons that I learned when I was 18, 19 years old have served me well when I was 23 and 24. This game is about competition. You have to compete every single day in practice, because if you don’t, you’re not going to be around very long.” [Source]

UM: Unionization

Chronicle Staff — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:23:07 +0000

The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette is asking the state Supreme Court to stop a hearing set for Wednesday, Feb. 1 – a hearing that could determine whether University of Michigan graduate student research assistants (GSRAs) can unionize. “Schuette, a Republican, has been barred by the Court of Appeals from taking part in the hearing. The hearing is to decide whether to overturn a 1981 Michigan Employment Relations Commission ruling stating the GSRAs are students and not employees, meaning they can’t unionize. Schuette argues in his filing, which was made public late today, that because the U-M Board of Regents voted to recognize the GSRAs as employees, no one will be arguing against unionization during the hearing.” [Source]

UM: Bicycling Forum

Chronicle Staff — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:31:22 +0000

The Michigan Daily reports on a University of Michigan town hall meeting held in January to discuss issues related to bicycling on campus and in Ann Arbor, including a planned campus bike rental system. The article quotes Steven Dolen, executive director of UM’s parking and transportation unit: “The rental program is our first step in really showing our commitment. I think it’s a small step, but it is something we can do quickly that we know there is a need (for) and what people want to see more (of). So we think this is a great way to start.” [Source]

UM: Obama

Chronicle Staff — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:06:49 +0000

The Detroit News reports that president Barack Obama will make a speech at the University of Michigan’s Al Glick Field House on Friday, Jan. 27, but details aren’t yet available about the time of the speech or who’ll be allowed into the venue. Obama, who’ll deliver his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, last visited the UM campus to deliver the May 1, 2010 commencement address at Michigan Stadium. [Source]

Ypsi: Music

Chronicle Staff — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:20:24 +0000

The Eastern Echo reviews the band Team Ethic, with Ypsilanti musicians Joel Skene, Carl Greene, Ed Golembiewski and Abbott Daimler. The review quotes Daimler: “We’re enamored with ’90s rock music, and are leftist, working class slobs. We have mortgages and day jobs and tend to spend every bit of free time at one of the many fine taverns in Ypsilanti, at a dance party, or playing music. On a good night, we get to do all three.” For Chronicle readers looking for local government connections, Golembiewski is Washtenaw County deputy clerk and director of elections. [Source]

UM: Grad Student Union

Chronicle Staff — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:53:42 +0000

The Detroit Free Press reports on allegations that a University of Michigan graduate student research assistant was pushed out of her academic program because she supported unionizing GSRAs. Jennifer Dibbern told the Free Press: “I lost my job because I was openly supportive of the union. They are essentially prohibiting me from a career in my chosen field.” The university administration opposes unionization efforts, but UM officials dispute Dibbern’s claim. [Source]