ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY-FOUR YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Wednesday, February 26, 2014
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‘U’ to face Dept. of Education inquiry
PAIGE PFLEGER/Daily
Members of the Student Union of Michigan gather in the lobby of the Fleming Administration Building Tuesday to protest the University’s sexual misconduct policies and other issues.
Students march on Fleming Protesters chastize administration in wake of sexual misconduct case By IAN DILLINGHAM Daily News Editor
Chants heard across the Diag on Tuesday afternoon demonstrated that some students are “fed up” with the University. The Student Union of Michigan hosted a protest to voice concerns about the administration’s handling of sexual misconduct cases on campus. About
30 students and members of the community marched from Rackham Auditorium to the Fleming Administration Building, chanting and distributing pamphlets to onlookers. Students from the group delivered speeches at both Rackham and Fleming, which outlined the group’s concerns and suggested changes that could be made to administrative policies. While several issues were addressed, the majority of the protest revolved around the administration’s lack of effort to improve campus climate, which members of SUM said promotes “rape culture” and “victim blaming,” while protecting the
personal financial interests of administrators. Although several references were made to the recent controversy surrounding former kicker Brendan Gibbons’ permanent separation from the University, Rackham student Laura Herbert said the group supports the survivor’s right to privacy and the University’s decision to keep certain information about the case private. “We’re hearing the same line of rhetoric,” Herbert said. “They’re telling us that because they can’t divulge private matters to us as a student body, they can’t do anything about the rape culture on campus. That’s not
true.” Herbert said the administration has many opportunities to improve campus climate within the constraints of laws regarding the privacy of sexual assault victims. In particular, she called for public forums where students can speak about their concerns and a mandate for University athletic staff to receive training on how to handle cases of sexual misconduct involving students. Following a mandate from the Department of Education in 2011, the University reformed its sexual misconduct policy to comply with new federal reguSee MARCH, Page 3A
Office for Civil Rights will look into whether sexual assault cases were mishandled By WILL GREENBERG Daily News Editor
The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights will investigate the University’s response to a Title IX complaint concerning a 2009 sexual misconduct case involving former kicker Brendan Gibbons. The Michigan Daily reported on Jan. 28 that Gibbons was permanently separated from the University after violating the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy, according to documents reviewed by the Daily. University spokesman Rick Fitzgerald confirmed the University was notified of the investigation Monday night. “We’re very proud of our student sexual misconduct policy,
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY
GOVERNMENT
Michigan picked for new tech. center
Big Ten schools undergo similar policy changes Title IX coordinator implemented at universities under new guidelines By JACK TURMAN Daily Staff Reporter
While the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights commences its investigation regarding a Title IX complaint lodged against the University, other Big Ten schools are also grappling with the implementation of revised sexual misconduct guidelines. In April 2011, the OCR released a Dear Colleague Letter that required universities to modify their sexual harassment policies codified by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Under the new mandate, universities are required to have a Title IX coordinator who is in charge of “overseeing Title IX complaints and identifying and addressing any patterns or sys-
temic problems that arise during the review of such complaints.” The changes require universities to actively investigate instances of sexual misconduct rather than wait for survivors to bring allegations forward. Like many other universities, after implementing an interim policy based on the recommendations, the University revised its sexual misconduct policy in 2013. The letter includes mandates, but leaves some leeway for institutions to craft their own policies. Though universities are required to implement many of the same changes due to risk of losing federal funding, one of the main differences is the extent to which the operation is centralized. In an e-mail interview, Gary Lewis, senior director of media and public relations at Ohio State University, said certain university offices have the power to investigate cases under their jurisdiction. “If the respondent/accused person is a faculty or staff memSee CHANGES, Page 3A
our prevention efforts and our programs to support survivors of sexual misconduct,” Fitzgerald said in a statement. “We will fully cooperate with the Department of Education and we believe that a review of our policy, programs and investigations will conclude that the University of Michigan is doing what it should in this important area.” A letter from the OCR to Doug Smith, a former University professor who has been vocal against the University as information about the Gibbons case has surfaced, said it will investigate Smith’s complaint about the case. Smith issued his complaint in August 2013, accusing the University of failing to respond in a timely manner to a rape incident at a fraternity house that involved a female University student and two University football players. Jim Bradshaw, a spokesman for the Department of Education, said no other information can be confirmed by the OCR at this point regarding the details of the See INQUIRY, Page 3A
LILY ANGELL/Daily
Joseph Kolars, senior associate dean for education and global initiatives at the Medical School, speaks about education and global initiatives at a town hall discussion in the Towsley Center Tuesday.
Town hall series explores Medical School regimen Lecture discusses importance of broad education By CAROLINE BARON For the Daily
An outsider’s perception of the life of a medical student likely consists of a tedious courseload and hours spent memorizing facts and processes. But, more than a few books aside, more experiences outside of a lab lie ahead for those
aspiring to become a healthcare professional. In a lecture Tuesday, Joseph Kolars, senior associate dean for education and global initiatives at the Medical School, emphasized the development of a curriculum that produces socially aware students. The lecture occurred as part of a series of town hall meetings aimed at professors, researchers, students and other members of the Medical School community. The town hall series exists to allow the community to
take part in discussions about important issues related to the Medical School and offer a variety of perspectives on changes that will affect them. Tuesday’s meeting was the fifth in the series, which was first announced in the fall. Kolars said this lecture was focused on advising professors to step back and reconsider the central ideas of success within the Medical School before developing a new curriculum. While the series emphasizes change within the Medical See MEDICAL, Page 3A
Manufacturing innovation institute to create 10,000 jobs in the state By YARDIN AMRON Daily Staff Reporter
At a press conference at the White House Tuesday, President Barack Obama began with a joke. “Basically I’m here to announce we’re building Iron Man,” Obama said. “I’m going to blast off in a second.” While there was no blastoff, the joke alluded to a new manufacturing innovation institute focused on lightweight and modern metals that will open in Metro Detroit this spring. The American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute involves a conglomerate of more than 50 companies, nonprofits and universities — including the University of Michigan — and is expected to create 10,000 jobs See TECH, Page 6A
the literary issue student writers share their poems and stories
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INDEX
Vol. CXXIV, No. 76 ©2014 The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com
NEWS......................... 2A SUDOKU..................... 3A OPINION.....................4A
ARTS........................... 5A CL ASSIFIEDS...............6A T H E S TAT E M E N T. . . . . . . . . .1 B