ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Monday, September 30, 2013
Ann Arbor, Michigan
michigandaily.com
ADMINISTRATION
Pres. search forum focuses on Dearborn integration Presidential Search Advisory Committee finishes series of public forums By PETER SHAHIN Daily News Editor
The University’s Board of Regents and members of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee rounded out a series of public forums Friday, holding one at the University of Michigan, Dearborn campus and one for the general public in Ann Arbor. Regent Julia Darlow (D), Regent Katherine White (D) and Jeffrey MacKie-Mason, dean of the School of Information, were present for both forums, and Regent Denise Ilitch (D)
was present at the Dearborn forum. Search consultant Alison Ranney from Russell Reynolds Associates, the firm hired by the regents to assist in determining qualified and interested candidates, was also present. White, vice chair of the Board of Regents and acting spokeswoman for the regents during the search process, began each meeting by explaining the purpose of the forums: to give the Presidential Search Advisory Committee a better idea of the opportunities and challenges facing the University, as well as what qualities constituents would like to see in the next University president. The recurring theme during the Dearborn forum was increased access to the resources and attention that the Ann Arbor campus receives. Many faculty See DEARBORN, Page 5A
KATHERINE PEKALA/Daily
A tow truck operator prepares to remove a car that was the subject of an attempted theft near Packard and Arch Streets.
Car theft ends in crash Intoxicated man attempts to steal pizza-delivery car By IAN DILLINGHAM Daily Staff Reporter
Pizza delivery has never been so dramatic. Sunday evening at about 7
p.m., a man attempted to steal the vehicle of a Cottage Inn Pizza delivery driver on the 700 block of Packard Street, just east of the State Street intersection. Just seconds after the vehicle was stolen, the suspect allegedly caused a collision, which resulted in his arrest. The suspect — who Ann Arbor Police say was under the influence of drugs — stole
the vehicle that had been left unlocked outside of an apartment complex during a delivery. After taking the vehicle, the suspect collided with an oncoming vehicle traveling east on Packard Street. That vehicle, a Jeep Wrangler, was carrying two passengers, who both left the scene uninjured. The delivery driver, Bryan, who asked to be identified by his
first name only, said the suspect “looked like a kid behind the wheel for the first time.” The suspect pulled onto Packard at a high rate of speed and drove in an erratic fashion, Bryan said. He added that the man seemed to be driving on the wrong side of the road. Ann Arbor Police Sgt. Amy Metzer confirmed the suspect See CRASH, Page 5A
ANN ARBOR
BUSINESS
Council mulls vote on pension
Production company, Cottage Inn at odds over contract dispute ‘Pursuit of Jappiness’ creators say pizza company owes $4,500 By K.C. WASSMAN
Divesting from fossil fuels could mean higher management costs for city By WILL GREENBERG Daily Staff Reporter
As the Ann Arbor City Council weighs the benefits and costs of a symbolic resolution to divest the city’s pension fund from fossil fuel industries, members of the council and Ann Arbor residents are speaking out against the proposal that threatens to raise management costs for pensions for city employees. Originally submitted by the city’s Energy Commission, the proposal would have the City Council recommend that the Pension Board, which oversees the city’s retirement investment accounts, divest from all fossilfuel companies in an effort to symbolically and practically See PENSION, Page 5A
Daily News Editor
ALLISON FARRAND/Daily
Mayan archaeologist William Saturno and professional climber Mark Synnott give advice to stucents applying for National Geographic Young Explorers Grants Friday.
NatGeo invites undergrads to apply for project grants Organization funds student research, exploration By IAN DILLINGHAM Daily Staff Reporter
For students stuck in the routine of daily lectures and homework, there may be a way
out — adventure. In an event at the Mendelssohn Theatre Friday evening, National Geographic continued its outreach campaign — now in its 14th year — to undergraduates around the nation to provide information about funding for research and exploration projects. John Francis, vice president of research, conservation and
exploration for the National Geographic Society, said the process of grant application has changed in recent years. Although undergraduates were always eligible to apply for grants through the organization, the “Young Explorers” grant — which was the focus of the event — represents a change in philosophy. See NATGEO, Page 5A
The creators of the viral video ‘Pursuit of Jappiness,’ University alums Skyler Fulton and Brett Pere, are accusing Cottage Inn Pizza, Inc. of breaking a contract — in the form of non-payment — with their video production company, 3P Presents. 3P and Cottage Inn signed a contract in February for 3P to produce three commercials for Cottage Inn for $3,000 per video, totaling $9,000. Half of the total, $4,500, was to be paid up-front with the remaining balance to be paid upon completion of the videos. There was no specified use for the videos in the contract, but Fulton, along with a letter from Cottage Inn’s lawyer stated that the videos were going to be used in advertising campaigns. The videos have been complete for several months, but 3P has yet to receive the second installment of $4,500. Both 3P and Cottage Inn have threatened
legal action through corresponding letters from lawyers, but no further legal action has been taken. Cottage Inn wants to be refunded the initial $4,500 they paid the production company. Paul Fransway, attorney for Cottage Inn, alleges in a letter to 3P that the film company breached the contract by providing a product that was of “no value” to the company and asked for the initial deposit back. The letter says the videos aren’t of value to Cottage Inn because 3P failed to obtain their approval on several production aspects, including actor approval. However, the contract provided to The Michigan Daily by Fulton doesn’t include a provision for customer content approval. Fulton said Cottage Inn approved of the concepts for the three videos, which feature a character called “Cottage Jim.” In the advertisements Cottage Jim is an elderly man who is still the ‘cool guy’ on campus despite his age. One video shows Cottage Jim teaching two students how to throw a successful party, while another shows him helping a young man get a job using Cottage Inn’s gluten-free pizza. Fulton added that Cottage Inn had opportunities to check-in on production, but never did. While See CONTRACT, Page 5A
Return of the 5 The Michigan basketball team is back, with a new point guard.
WEATHER TOMORROW
HI: 78 LO: 58
GOT A NEWS TIP? Call 734-418-4115 or e-mail news@michigandaily.com and let us know.
NEW ON MICHIGANDAILY.COM The Filter: First look at upcoming Marvin Gaye film MICHIGANDAILY.COM/BLOGS
INDEX
Vol. CXXIV, No. 1 ©2013 The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com
» INSIDE
NEWS......................... 2A OPINION.....................4A ARTS...........................6A
SUDOKU..................... 3A CL ASSIFIEDS...............6A S P O R T S M O N DAY. . . . . . . . . .1 B