CELEBRATING OUR ONE-HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Thursday, February 26, 2015
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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HEALTH
‘U’ program may assist in fight against Ebola spread Art & Design hosts three day working period to create new medical equipment
State funding trends impact affordability efforts
Decrease in higher education appropriations tied to tuition increases
cation funding in Michigan, and what those changes mean for fouryear universities. In his opening remarks at last Thursday’s Board of Regents meeting, University President Mark Schlissel thanked Gov. Rick Snyder (R) for recommending a 2-percent increase in state appropriations for higher education in fiscal year 2016. “We appreciate the governor’s support for higher ed, especially at a time when the state must make difficult choices regarding spending,” he said.
By ALLANA AKHTAR Daily Staff Reporter
Following statewide elections in which higher education was a point of debate, this article is the third in a series examining the changing landscape of higher edu-
However, even with the increase — which totaled a 1.9-percent funding increase specifically for the University — state appropriations are nowhere near where they used to be at their peak. This year, state appropriations made up 9 percent of the University’s operating budget, excluding the University of Michigan Health System. In contrast, during the 1960s, state appropriations covered 78 percent of University expenses. Over the course of half a decade, the state of Michigan has severely limited its higher educa-
tion funding. In an effort to fill the gap, the University has resorted to other sources for revenue — namely, raising student tuition. Given a growing nationwide conversation on the rising cost of college, these increases have prompted discussion at the University on how to keep college affordable and accessible to all students, even while the institution is steadily losing state monetary support. History of tuition hikes During June’s Board of Regents meeting, the board See TUITION, Page 2A
By CARLY NOAH Daily Staff Reporter
Students, professionals and faculty University-wide joined forces to generate solutions to some of the challenges faced by Ebola patients. Finding innovative solutions specific to the Ebola outbreak was the focus of a recent three-day design and planning period hosted by the School of Art and Design. Caused by a strain of the Ebola virus, the disease is rare and deadly. The recent Ebola epidemic has been the largest in history. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 23,694 suspected, probable and confirmed cases of Ebola in West Africa as of Feb. 21, and there have been four laboratory-confirmed cases in the United States. In addition to the Art and
CAMPUS LIFE
RESEARCH
Springfest to extend to three days in April Annual event features student groups, musical performances By TANYA MADHANI Daily Staff Reporter
SpringFest will stick around a bit longer this year. The annual SpringFest outdoor festival will expand into three different areas and, for the first time since its start in 2011, will cover multiple days. For the past three years, MUSIC Matters, has held the annual event to provide an opportunity for local musicians, artists, restaurants and University student organizations to engage with the broader campus community. The festival features a headlining musical act in Hill Auditorium. Previous performers have included J. Cole, Ben Folds, 2 Chainz and Chance the
Rapper. This year’s act has yet to be announced. Business senior Nicholas Moeller, SpringFest chair, said the event will highlight University student organizations that fit the following five categories: sustainability, innovation, arts, community service and social identity. To engage students’ entrepreneurial spirit, Moeller said SpringFest will also feature “Startup Village,” a hub that will include student-run or student-founded startups from the Ann Arbor area. “It’s an opportunity to engage the broader campus community as well as showcase the best of what Michigan has to offer,” he said. “So, it’s an event that tries to bring together students from all corners of campus.” A film festival, a new SpringFest feature, will start in the evening on April 16 and continue during the main festival day on April 17. MUSIC Matters has colSee SPRINGFEST, Page 3A
Design School event, the University has created a response plan in the unlikely situation that Ebola reaches the University, as well as worked with the Michigan Nurses Association to take precautions for nurses who would treat the virus. The event focused on creating equipment around three themes: protecting those caring for Ebola patients, improving communication in the face of cultural and linguistic barriers and creating a safer way to transport infected patients. Five teams, comprising five to eight participants from different disciplines, conceptualized, designed and created a product to help patients affected by Ebola. The first product met the challenge of the first theme: improving personal protective equipment. The protective suits previously employed fit only a small number of body types. They often tear and break and can expose caregivers to contaminating fluids. Several solutions were created to solve this issue. The first, a disposable doffing strap, makes the process of removing the bodysuit easier because wearers do not have to touch the outside of the See EBOLA, Page 3A
Video games could impact learning in classrooms Report identifies attributes likely to improve assessment, teaching methods
ALLISON FARRAND/Daily
By SARAH KHAN
Dr. Stephen Strobbe, clinical associate professor of Nursing, is the winner of the 25th annual Golden Apple Award.
Nursing professor receives 2015 Golden Apple award Stephen Strobbe to deliver honorary lecture March 31 By ANASTASSIOS ADAMOPOULOS Daily Staff Reporter
About 30 minutes into his lecture Wednesday morning, Nursing Prof. Stephen Strobbe was caught off-guard by a group of
students who offered congratulations and presented him with a bouquet of flowers, balloons and an apple. The Golden Apple award honors one teacher on campus each year chosen based on student nominations. The award is sponsored by the University of Michigan Hillel and more than two dozen other campus organizations and units. To announce the selection, the Golden Apple committee
surprises the recipient, typically in the middle of their class. Strobbe said he was very surprised when the students handed him the gifts. “Does someone want to tell me what is going on?” he asked. After being told that he had won the Golden Apple, Strobbe was speechless for a few moments. “Thank you all so much,” he said. “I am moved beyond words. See GOLDEN APPLE, Page 2A
Daily Staff Reporter
Imagine playing the video of game League of Legends to learn in a classroom. While multiplayer, online, battle-type games will not be used in most classes in the near future, a new study by University researchers shows how digital game use in the classroom can help teachers track student learning. A report from the A-GAMES Project, released last Thursday by professors from the School of Information and New York University, focuses on common features in games that are effective in assessment and learning. The A-GAMES Project represents Analyzing Games for Assessment See GAMES, Page 3A
the b-side The Daily Arts staff looks at the popular music venue for high school students. » INSIDE
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INDEX
Vol. CXXIII, No. 74 ©2015The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com
NEWS......................... 2A OPINION.....................4A S P O R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A
SUDOKU..................... 3A CL ASSIFIEDS...............6A B-SIDE ....................1B