ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Thursday, November 21, 2013
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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#BBUM
ADMINISTRATION
Professors rally over ‘U’ shared services ADAM GLANZMAN/Daily
The Black Student Union blacked out the Posting Wall in Mason Hall Wednesday in an effort to give students a place to express their expereinces as part of the Being Black at the University of Michigan Campaign, which gained national attention as the hashtag #BBUM trended on Twitter Tuesday.
GREEK LIFE
Theta Xi faces public hearing Frat charged with violating student org code of conduct for racist party By ALICIA ADAMZYCK Daily News Editor
There was standing room only in the Anderson Room of the Michigan Union Wednesday night as more than 100 people gathered to watch a formal
hearing against members of the University’s chapter of Theta Xi fraternity for a Facebook event posted by a brother that drew sharp criticism from the University community for its insensitive content. A case brought on by three university students alleges that the fraternity violated sections of the Standards of Conduct for Recognized Student Organizations. Music, Theatre & Dance senior Erica Nagy and LSA seniors Erin Fischer and Brian Thomas were
the plaintiffs in the case, which was heard by the Greek Activities Review Panel — the judicial body for the Panhellenic Association, the Interfraternity Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council. The Facebook event was for a party that promised twerking contests and used terms such as “ratchet pussy” and “bad bitches” to describe intended partygoers. Dean of Students Laura Blake Jones filed an official complaint with the fraternity after
the Facebook event went viral. The event was later cancelled. Theta Xi’s national headquarters also launched its own investigation into the incident. The review panel is comprised of five members of the Greek community. It has three business days to privately consider and issue any sanctions against the fraternity or individual members, which could range from educational programs to fines. LSA senior Eric Quang, president of Theta Xi, and LSA junior See HEARING, Page 5A
Dept. chairs and faculty join to oppose planned centralization By SAM GRINGLAS Daily Staff Reporter
With the University’s Shared Services Center scheduled to open next year, University officials have scrambled to quell the fears of faculty and staff amid a growing chorus of complaints. Since the beginning of November, at least seven University departments have submitted letters to University President Mary Sue Coleman or Provost Martha Pollack criticizing the University’s implementation and communication of the shared services initiative. The consolidation of services is a part of the Administrative Service Transformation Project, a cost-saving measure that will transfer 275 departmental human-resource and
HOSPITAL
BUSINESS
Cancer Center director to step down from post Max Wicha, noted researcher, oversaw center’s formation and growth By AMABEL KAROUB Daily Staff Reporter
After establishing the University’s Comprehensive Cancer Center in a temporary trailer behind the Simpson Memorial Institute 27 years ago, Cancer Center Director Max Wicha has decided to step down from his post. Under Wicha’s leadership, the Cancer Center has become one of the leading cancer treatment and research centers in the country, ranking fourth in grants awarded from the National Cancer Institute and first for a university-based cancer center. Looking back on his time as director, Wicha said building a state-of-the-art facility that would house both clinical work
and research was significant highlight of his career. He led the effort to expand the Cancer Center’s reach even further with the 2010 acquisition of the North Campus Research Complex from Pfizer. During Wicha’s time, the center also developed new techniques for treating cancers, and created one of the first breast cancer centers in the country that brings together physicians and nurses from different specialties. Every five years, the NCI must renew the grant for the Cancer Center to continue its work. As the grant was recently renewed for the sixth time under Wicha’s leadership, he said he feels that it is the ideal time to hand the baton over to his successor. Over the next year, the University of Michigan Health System will conduct a national search for Wicha’s successor. Wicha said a good replacement would have a vision in mind for how to take the center forSee DIRECTOR, Page 5A
finance staff to a centralized location where the support staff can be shared across departments. Earlier this year, the University hired Accenture LLP, a major consulting firm, to plot out how to implement shared services. The Accenture contract is valued at $11.7 million. The initiative was initially expected to save $17 million per year, but that estimate has been reduced to savings between $5 and $6 million. On Wednesday, University spokesman Rick Fitzgerald said the reduction in estimated cost savings came about because administrators decided to decrease the extent of the changes to services. However, University faculty members have voiced concern focusing on the project’s transparency and equity, as well as its consequences for the intellectual environment of departments and academic units. Some University employees interviewed about shared services agreed only to speak anonymously due to the sensiSee SERVICES, Page 5A
Charitable business opens on South U Merit aims to help underserved highschool students get into college ALLISON FARRAND/Daily
LSA sophomore Danielle Purtell speaks at a candlelight vigil for the millions of victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines on the Diag Wednesday. Purtell discussed her personal connection to the afflicted nation and how the typhoon affected her family.
Students organize vigil for Typhoon Haiyan relief Over 10,000 dead, 4 million displaced by storm By NEALA BERKOWSKI For the Daily
To honor of the victims of the catastrophic devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan,
more than 60 students gathered on the Diag Wednesday evening for a candlelight vigil. The storm ripped across the nation on Nov. 8, and entire villages were swept away, over 10,000 people have been reported dead and an estimated four million people have been displaced, according to The Wall Street
Journal. Organized by the Filipino American Student Association and the Michigan Environmental Group Alliance, the vigil opened with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem and continued with students sharing personal stories of friends and family who are living in the Philippines See VIGIL, Page 5A
By HILLARY CRAWFORD Daily Staff Reporter
Even though the streets outside of the new Merit storefront were cold, the crowd of Ann Arbor residents and students from Detroit and the University created a buzz of excitement on South University Avenue. Merit, which seeks to raise awareness about education issues through the commercialization of its clothing brand, was founded by University alum David Merritt. Merit Goodness, Inc. is made primarily of two components, FATE mentorship and the Merit clothing line. FATE, which is based at the University, pairs University stuSee MERIT, Page 2A
Season of love MUSKET to present the acclaimed musical “RENT”
WEATHER TOMORROW
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INDEX
Vol. CXXIV, No. 33 ©2013 The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com
NEWS......................... 2A OPINION.....................4A S P O R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A
SUDOKU.....................2A CL ASSIFIEDS...............6A B-SIDE ....................1B