LIFE CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Taylor Johnson takes advantage of starter spot on women’s team, 7
Central Michigan University
| Friday, Feb. 24, 2012
Pair finds common ground through Big Brothers Big Sisters match, 3
[cm-life.com]
‘throw it here’
college of medicine
Most FA faculty members hired will remain in union Some new hires were removed By Theresa Clift Staff Reporter
The College of Medicine’s first full-time faculty member, Dr. W. Robert Fleischmann, was a due-paying member of the Faculty Association for four months before his exclusion from the union in January. He has not asked for a refund of the dues, taken from his $150,000 salary, and does not intend to. “I no longer pay, since I received notice from the FA that I was no longer an FA member,” he said in an email. Fleischmann is married to Linda Perkowski, associate dean of medical education. He began work on July 1, and paid FA dues from about September through December, he said. He declined to comment on his motivations or feelings. A final agreement was
photos by mike mulholland/photo editor
cheerleader. CMU went on to defeat Northern Illinois 73-50. The Ross’ are known for attending nearly every women’s basketball home game, and Elizabeth is listed as a “Champions Level” supporter of the team on cmuchippewas.com.
At Wednesday night’s women’s basketball game, Central Michigan University President George Ross enthusiastically attempted to win a T-shirt for the fans behind he and his wife, Elizabeth Ross, by attracting the attention of a CMU
Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson named new EHS dean Provost Shapiro says she stood out throughout search process By Alayna Smith Staff Reporter
The search for the new dean of the College of Education and Human Services has come to an end, and Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson will be taking over the position beginning July 1. Pehrsson is currently serving as the associate dean of the College of Education at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and has another decade of administrative and professorial experience as well. When she starts the job, she will earn a salary of $154,500.
Pehrsson said she was a finalist for seven other positions at different universities around the nation, but chose to go with CMU because of its great programs and faculty. She expressed great excitement over taking the position and looks forward to living close enough to campus to be able to walk or ride her bike to her job. “I chose CMU because I loved the programs I saw there, the variety and the faculty,” she said. “They were very interested in student engagement and reducing class sizes to have more personal relationships with students. That really stood out for me and was so important. I love to teach, and this university was a good fit.” Provost Gary Shapiro announced the appointment of Pehrsson Thursday, and said
she was the best match for the position. “Dr. Pehrsson stood out as a top candidate throughout every step of the search process,” Shapiro said in a news release Thursday. “Her experience clearly positions her as a leading teacher, scholar and administrator whose leadership and vision will continue to move the College of Education and Human Services forward.” Pehrsson will lead five departments as the new EHS dean, as well as 13 educational centers and 185 faculty and staff. Kathy Koch has been serving as interim dean since 2009, following the unexpected death of former dean Karen Adams, and will return to the position of associate EHS dean. Shapiro thanked Koch for her service to the university.
In a forum to review Pehrsson as a candidate, held Feb. 7 in the EHS Building, Pehrsson discussed the future of education, and how the field has been evolving in recent years. She emphasized the implications of a globalized world, where students must learn to communicate and adapt to be successful. “Education is going to a point where students will need to be very globally and culturally aware,” she said at the forum. “International training and education is not only critical, but necessary.” Pehrsson also emphasized the importance of communication within the college and with faculty, saying she was not interested in working in a divisive environment. A dean | 2
By Justin Hicks Staff Reporter
Vice President of Development and External Relations Kathy Wilbur reemphasized Thursday that Michael Rao was president when Central Michigan University decided to allocate $10 million to the Events Center. “The project was all done, all initiated and launched when President Rao was president,” Wilbur said when reached by phone. Rao, however, is not talking. Several requests have been made to Rao’s office at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he became president in 2009. He said Wednesday he “would rather questions about CMU’s projects, programs and initiatives be directed to current president George Ross,” Ann Buckley, Director of Communications and Public Relations at VCU, said in an email.
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Locations in Mount Pleasant include City Hall, 320 W. Broadway St., Pullen School gymnasium, 251 S. Brown St., Ganiard School gymnasium, 101 S. Adams St., room 112 of the Mount Pleasant High School,
Rao chose not to make himself available personally to Central Michigan Life by phone or Michael Rao email, and Steve Smith, director of public relations at CMU, said he didn’t know why Rao wouldn’t comment and that it was his choice to do so. “I would think you’d have to ask him why he wouldn’t respond,” Smith said. “It’s not my position to respond to something like that in the first place. It’s his choice.” University President George Ross told members of the media Feb. 16, following the CMU Board of Trustees meeting, that he was not at CMU when the allocation of $10 million was made to the Events Center.
A wilbur | 2
[ I N S I D E]
Voting locations set for Tuesday Polling locations around the state are gearing up for what should be a very close race for the Michigan Republican primary on Tuesday. Those looking to vote in the primary need to already be registered to vote, with the registration deadline having already passed. Voters registered in Mount Pleasant can vote in seven locations matching up to which precinct they are registered in.
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Wilbur: Rao here when Events Center allocation made
michigan primary
By John Irwin Staff Reporter
ratified Jan. 12 following a six-month contract impasse between the FA and the administration. The FA conceded to exclude fulltime CMED faculty from the union in exchange for the benefit of keeping MESSA health care for members. David Jesuit, FA bargaining team member and associate professor of political science, said the bargaining team fought hard to keep CMED faculty in the union to avoid cases like Fleischmann’s, and for stronger solidarity. Jesuit’s impressions and opinions are not necessarily shared by everyone on the FA or its bargaining team. He said the exclusion of CMED faculty from the FA was the No. 1 reason FA members voted not to ratify the contract, in his opinion. “It was a huge concession,” Jesuit said. “It was a very bitter pill for a lot of members to swallow.”
w Michigan Senate passes legislation against graduate student unions Wednesday, 3
1155 S. Elizabeth St., Kinney School gymnasium, 720 N. Kinney St., Vowles School gymnasium, 1560 S. Watson Road and Fancher School gymnasium, 801 S. Kinney St. For those registered to vote in Union Township, there are three precincts. Those locations and the other 17 voting locations in Isabella County can be found on the Isabella County Clerk’s Office website at isabellacounty.org/clerk/pollinglocations.html.
file photo by andrew kuhn
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Voters in precinct 6, show up to the Vowles Elementary School Gymnasium, 1560 Watson Road, to cast their votes on Nov. 2, 2010.
w SAPA’s fifth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event raises about, 3 w SGA presidential debate to be held Tuesday, 3 w Students begin season of Lent at St. Mary’s services, 5 w Annual juried student art exhibit opens today, 6
93 Years of Serving as Central Michigan University’s Independent Voice
Experienced Provider Specializes in Adult Medical Care Adult Nurse Practitioner Helene Vossos, R.N., M.S.N., A.N.P.-B.C., is now welcoming college students and adults of all ages to her practice at 211 S. Crapo Street, Suite J, in Mt. Pleasant. Helene received her associate nursing degree (RN) from MidMichigan Community College and completed
bachelor of science and master of science degrees in nursing at the University of Michigan – Flint. She is dual board certified as a nurse practitioner in adult medicine and psychiatric mental health. Appointments may be made by calling her office at (989) 773-6218.