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ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Ann Arbor, Michigan

GOVERNMENT

Michigan Daily E XCLUSIVE

Obama talks affordability in address President focuses on domestic policy in sixth State of the Union speech By SHOHAM GEVA Daily Staff Reporter

President Barack Obama delivered his sixth State of the Union address Tuesday night, highlighting mostly domestic policy items such as job creation and student loan debt. He also announced an executive order to raise the minimum wage for federal contractors. In his speech, one particular area of importance for students is the process of informing college students and their families about higher education, such as student loans. “I want to work with Congress to see how we can help even more Americans who feel trapped by student loan debt,” Obama said. In an interview with The Michigan Daily after the speech, Rep. John Dingell (D–

Mich.) said each topic Obama mentioned — from the war in Afghanistan to immigration reform — was pertinent to twenty-somethings and college students. “It’s their country,” Dingell said. “Everything is of importance to them.” On the topic of student loans, Dingell agreed with Obama’s statements, adding that it was necessary to provide financial assistance to college students. “That’s one of the biggest problems when I talk to the people I see and serve,” Dingell said of paying off student loan debt. LSA junior Mary Bridget Lee, communications director of the University’s chapter of the College Democrats, echoed the need to for legislators to consider college students’ finances at the organization’s watch party at the Ford School of Public Policy. “A key component for college students is our purchasing power and being able to afford institutions like this one,” she said. LSA sophomore Derek See OBAMA, Page 3A

ADAM GLANZMAN/Daily

Former Michigan kicker Brendan Gibbons, who last played for the Wolverines on Nov. 23, 2013, was permanently separated from the University in December.

‘U’ cut ties with Gibbons

Documents indicate former kicker violated Student Sexual Misconduct Policy By MATT SLOVIN and ADAM RUBENFIRE Daily Sports Writer and Daily Staff Reporter

Brendan Gibbons, the Michigan football team’s starting kicker for the past three seasons,

A mayor hopefuls in for a tight race 2

By EMMA KERR Daily Staff Reporter

Four candidates have declared for the Ann Arbor mayoral race of 2014, and though they all identify as Democrats, their personalities, the issues they plan to emphasize and the way they plan to interact with the University all differ. Each candidate has a connection to Ann Arbor, whether it be academic or personal, and each has varying degrees of support for current Mayor John Hieftje (D) and experience as an elected member of the City Council. Councilmember Christopher Taylor (D–Ward 3) attended the University for 12 years, earning degrees in vocal performance, English and history and finally attending the Law School. His background has led him to explore his long-term interest in government and politics through the City Council. See MAYOR, Page 3A

was permanently separated from the University of Michigan last month for violating the University’s Student Sexual Misconduct Policy, according to documents reviewed by The Michigan Daily. “You will be permanently separated from the University of Michigan effective December 20, 2013,” reads a Dec. 19, 2013 letter addressed to Gibbons at his Florida residence from the University’s Office of Student Conflict Resolution, which facilitates disciplinary proceedings against students. The Michigan Daily did

LET’S MAKE-UP

CITY COUNCIL

Four City Council members have declared their intention to run for the position so far

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not obtain these documents from the University. The permanent separation of Gibbons, who was a graduate student in the School of Social Work after graduating with a general studies degree, stems from an incident that was reported to have occurred on Nov. 22, 2009, according to documents. This corresponds with previous media reports that a sexual assault involving a Michigan football player occurred in the early morning hours of that day. Gibbons was a freshman and a mem-

ACADEMICS FOR MORE, SEE THE STATEMENT

English prof. honored for published poetry, joins national board Khaled Mattawa has authored four books, translated nine By BRIE WINNEGA Daily Staff Reporter

NICHOLAS WILLIAMS/Daily

Rackham student Andi Drogenous, a drag performer, applies eyeliner before a drag show at a club in Cleveland, Ohio.

RESEARCH

Study finds fungicide worsens coffee rust issue The fungus has devastated Latin American farms since mid-2012 By YIJIA ZHOU Daily Staff Reporter

A cup of coffee can be a lifesaver in the morning — unless it’s rusty, that is. Recent reports from University researchers suggests that spraying fungicide is not the perfect cure for coffee

rust, an environment disease that has devastated Latin American plantations since 2012 that is already causing significant losses in production. In reality, it’s quite the opposite of a cure. According to University ecologists, using fungicide could make the situation worse, as it kills “good” fungus, which protects coffee from the disease. In a Jun. 22 publication in BioScience, an academic journal, John Vandermeer, professor of ecology and

ber of the football team at the time that the conduct was alleged to have occurred. In the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities as well as the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy, the University uses the phrase “permanent separation” to refer to the expulsion of a student. The letter to Gibbons, signed by Stacy Vander Velde, associate director of OSCR, stated that he would be prohibited from taking any further courses at the University and that his student See GIBBONS, Page 3A

evolutionary biology and his co-authors — Ivette Perfecto, professor of ecology, natural resources and environment and postdoctoral fellow Doug Jackson — discussed the possible harm that fungicide could bring to the ecological system. They also provided an alternative solution for killing the disease: The restoration of traditional shade-growing techniques. Coffee rust disease, according to Vandermeer, is caused by Hemileia vastaSee COFFEE, Page 3A

Associate English Prof. Khaled Mattawa has been elected to the Academy of American Poets Board of Chancellors, the group announced Jan 15. Mattawa is the author of four books of poetry and has translated nine books of contemporary Arabic poetry. He is the recipient of numerous other awards, including the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship and the PEN American Center Award for Poetry Translation. The Academy was established 80 years ago with a mission to support poets and to promote appreciation for poetry across the United States. One of the organization’s ongoing efforts is National Poetry Month, which takes place every April. Mattawa said although his election was only recently announced by the AAP, he has known about it since December. “All of our chancellors are wellestablished in the art of poetry,” said AAP Executive Director Jennifer Benka. “They have published multiple books and they

have been recognized by other institutions for the excellence of their art.” New chancellors are selected by the current Academy Board and serve for a term of six years. Mattawa is now one of 15 Academy Board members. Benka said responsibilities of chancellors include suggesting ideas and giving feedback for the Academy’s programs, getting involved with projects for National Poetry Month and serving as judges for two of the seven major prizes awarded to poets throughout the country. Mattawa said he was honored to receive this recognition. “I feel lucky,” he said. “Whether people think that I deserve this recognition or not, I certainly feel lucky. There’s a lot to feel lucky about in my own life as an individual and as a writer.” Mattawa, who was born in Libya, said his membership in the AAP, an American institution, is a testament to his ability to remain whole as an individual rather than culturally divided. “Some of my friends from Libya have been telling me this is some of the best news they’ve heard in a while,” Mattawa said. “So, if only for that, to bring my other country some good news with this honor is a great thing in my life.” Michael Schoenfeldt, chair of See PROFESSOR, Page 3A

pursuing the paycheck

You might want to think twice before accepting that unpaid internship this summer.

WEATHER TOMORROW

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