ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Friday, January 17, 2014
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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DIVERSITY
Policies to be created to increase inclusion RUBY WALLAU/Daily
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder addresses his audience at the annual State of the State event in East Lansing Thursday.
Snyder talks state priorities Constitutional reforms, increasing legal immigration on 2014 roadmap By SHOHAM GEVA Daily Staff Reporter
LANSING — On the tail end of his first term, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder delivered his fourth State of the State address Thursday, calling for an array of initiatives from a constitutional amendment to increase funding for early childhood education. This year’s State of the State — an annual address delivered to a special joint session of the Michigan legislature outlining the governor’s upcoming policy
initiatives — received additional attention because Snyder will be up for reelection in November. Though he has not officially announced his candidacy, Snyder used Thursday’s speech to reflect on his past accomplishments. Election year politics were also on the mind of Michigan Democrats and interest groups that oppose Snyder’s policies, as many voiced discontent with his message after the speech. The governor spoke about the period leading up to his 2010 electoral victory, characterizing the last 10 years as a time when Michigan was broken. “We led the country in joblessness, reduced income levels, and loss of population,” Snyder said. “In November 2010, the citizens of Michigan spoke not
just about my role but of many of us here tonight. They made a statement that Michigan was broken. Fixing Michigan was not good enough; it was time to reinvent Michigan.” During his speech, Snyder challenged members of the Michigan House of Representatives to join the Michigan Senate in taking up a resolution that asks the U.S. Congress to pass a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance its budget each year. “We balance our budget at home, we balance our budget at work, why can’t the federal government balance theirs?” Snyder said. He also announced intentions to sign an executive order to create the Michigan Office for New
Americans, which will be aimed at increasing and promoting legal immigration to Michigan. He added that the initiative would be aimed at groups such as international students pursuing advanced degrees. Snyder also mentioned several measures to promote economic growth during the speech, drawing data from his “Dashboard” program, which provides easily accessible information about various state issues. Since December 2010 Michigan has added 221,000 jobs, which was the first time since 2006 that the labor force in Michigan has grown. In terms of per capita income, Michigan is now tied with Wisconsin for first place in the Great Lakes region in growth of per See SNYDER, Page 6
After #BBUM, administrators plan new positions, renovations By SAM GRINGLAS Daily News Editor
After students and supporters around the world logged more than 10,000 tweets during the #BBUM campaign last semester to shed light on the experiences of Black University students, University Provost Martha Pollack announced a host of initiatives Thursday night designed to address diversity issues on campus. In an e-mail sent to University students and faculty, Pollack promised to initiate improvements at the Trotter Multicultural Center and the creation of an administrative leadership position dedicated to increasing minority recruitment and retention, as well as implement a residence hall program to foster inclusion and understand across many campus constituencies. “This commitment is longstanding and fundamental to who we are as an institution,” Pollack wrote. “And yet, there are
times we have not lived up to our highest aspirations.” The University’s minority enrollment has fallen sharply since the passage of Proposal 2 — the 2006 ballot initiative that banned the consideration of race in college admissions, among other factors. In fall 2013, the University’s Black students made up 4.65 percent of the undergraduate population, compared to 7 percent in fall 2006. In November, the BBUM campaign called attention to feelings of isolation and discrimination faced by Black students on campus. E. Royster Harper, vice president for student life, signed up for Twitter after the campaign launched to participate in the discussion. “Got on Twitter to hear and support your voices,” she tweeted in November. “Proud of our students.” The campaign arrived on the heels of several controversial incidents related to race, including a planned fraternity party that was branded with racialized words and images. Since the BBUM campaign launched in November, several administrators and regents have vowed to address the campus climate related to issues of race, See INCLUSION, Page 3
ADMINISTRATION
BUSINESS
Hiring system to feature indepth checks
Starbucks in Union will open doors on Monday
Background investigations to clear those working with children By RACHEL PREMACK Daily News Editor
There are 170 University programs that cater to children, according to Associate General Counsel Donica Thomas Varner. With the scope of these programs in wind, University announced Monday a new centralized policy. The policy mandates national background checks for employees working with children and a unified directory of all child-related programs. Previously, each department that managed these programs, such as Camp Kesem and University child care, created its own policies. These policies included what is outlined in the new consolidated guidelines, such as training guidelines and a code of conduct. However, the past system generated confusion and worry among University employees. A September 2013 child-safety seminar, which Varner said had no relation to the creation
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of the new policy, revealed this tension. At the meeting, she expressed concern about existing gaps in the previous background checking policy. An 11-person committee with representation from athletics, the Office of the Provost, the Office of University Audits and other departments formulated the policy. Varner and Kelly Cunningham, Office of Public Affairs director, cochaired the committee. With the streamlining of the policy, the new standards provide centralized support and clarify expectations for protecting children, Varner said. It applies to all University employees, students and volunteers involved with minors on the Ann Arbor, Dearborn or Flint campuses. “We welcome children to our campuses and want them to have a fun and positive experience,” Timothy P. Slottow, the University’s executive vice president and chief financial officer and executive sponsor of the policy, said in a press release. At University Athletic Department programs, which served more than 9,000 children last summer, the background check procedure only See HIRING, Page 3
After delayed construction, the chain will replace Amer’s cafe By CHRISTY SONG Daily Staff Reporter TERESA MATHEW/Daily
Vice President Joe Biden speaks at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit Thursday.
Biden praises auto industry resurgence in Detroit visit Vice President meets with Mayor Duggan to discuss city’s comeback By JENNIFER CALFAS Managing News Editor
DETROIT — In a speech at Detroit’s annual North American International Auto Show, Vice President Joe Biden discussed the industry’s resurgence since its federal bailout in 2009. Biden addressed more than 250 showgoers, packed into
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Detroit’s Cobo Center and surrounded by new Ford F-150 trucks and Chevrolet Corvettes, about the ongoing process in the wake of the 2008 recession. Biden lauded Detroit as a city capable of overcoming its decades-long decline. The city filed for the bankruptcy in July — the largest municipal default in U.S. history — and Chapter 9 proceedings are ongoing. “This is not only an important city, but an iconic city,” Biden said during his opening remarks. The self-professed “car man” highlighted his collaboration with Rep. John Dingell (D–MI), who was present at the event.
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Together, Biden and Dingell tackled the auto industry bailout in 2009, giving General Motors and Chrysler time to recover under new management. “We’re not only back; we’re stronger,” Biden said. “The American auto industry is back and Detroit’s going to come back. But America is back.” For most of his speech, Biden praised the auto industry creating generations of middle class jobs — an income segment that has been squeezed by decades of industrial decline and, more recently, the 2008 recession. “We bet on American ingenuSee BIDEN, Page 3
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While Starbucks stores surround Central Campus on State Street and South University, one more will open its doors Monday at 7 a.m. After months of renovation, including delaying its projected opening date, the Starbucks will join Au Bon Pain as one of the Union’s newest venues. Starbucks will move into the space formerly occupied by Amer’s Mediterranean Deli, which closed last year after a campaign and bid proposal failed to preserve its Union location. When the coffee shop opens Monday, it will begin its regular hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on Sundays. The extended hours are expected to appeal to students working into the early morning. Starbucks will offer caffeinated beverages, sandwiches, salads and an assortment of pastries, similar to other locations around See STARBUCKS, Page 3
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