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ANN ARBOR
Kunselman requests debate over recall plans PAUL SHERMAN/Daily
LSA senior Arnold Reed shares his experiences with the police during the Police Brutality Speak Out at the Michigan Union Wednesday.
At speakout, community discusses police brutality Faculty, students gather to share experiences, ideas for solutions
guson, Mo., and Staten Island, N.Y. The discussion — sponsored by Central Student Government in collaboration with Counseling and Psychological Services, the Black Student Union and the Students of Color of Rackham — derived from a November CSG resolution pledging to stand in solidarity with the people of Ferguson. In August, unarmed Black teenager Michael Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer, sparking a national dialogue on race and police brutality. A clause of the resolution stated
By ALYSSA BRANDON Daily Staff Reporter
At an open speak-out Wednesday night, members of the University community participated in an intimate dialogue in the Michigan Union’s Rogel Ballroom on police brutality and recent events in Fer-
CSG would plan a forum to discuss police brutality with the University community. The event included no formal speakers and was open to anyone in the University community. Those in attendance were first asked to reflect on their own experiences with policing at the University and offer their thoughts and perspectives about the quality of policing on campus. BSU speaker Arnold Reed, an LSA senior, shared a story of how he and his and fraternity brothers were surrounded by police one
night while practicing their step routine for the October 2014 Midnight Madness performance. “Walking away from that situation I felt very confused, attacked and unsafe,” Reed said. “Had that been a different group of guys, who knows what would’ve happened?” BSU secretary Cap Kendall, a Kinesiology junior, discussed how her negative experiences with campus police have emotionally impacted her. “It’s to the point where I don’t See SPEAKOUT, Page 3A
Councilmember proposes resolution to facilitate dialogue on homeless camps By EMMA KERR Daily News Editor
Councilmember Stephen Kunselman (D–Ward 3) announced Wednesday night that he intends to challenge the recent effort to recall him from Ann Arbor City Council by addressing the issue of homeless camps in Ann Arbor at Tuesday’s Council meeting. Kunselman has come under fire from various members and allies of the homeless community in Ann Arbor following statements some individuals of that community considered insensitive and threatening. The recall petitions specifically cite Kunselman’s July comments on the city’s controversial decision to bulldoze a homeless camp.
TOWN-GOWN
These types of camps do not meet current zoning ordinances in the city of Ann Arbor nor do they adhere to Michigan residential building codes, meaning camps like the one in question cannot legally remain in use. The Washtenaw County Election Committee decided on Jan. 5 to consider four submitted recall petitions both factual and clear, clearing the way for the petitions to appear on a ballot if they get 2,000 signatures from Ann Arbor voters by May. Kunselman is also up for reelection in November. A successful recall petition would remove him from office several months earlier than his term concludes. In a press release, Kunselman said he will not appeal the decision to confirm the language of these petitions in court, but rather that he plans to eliminate what he believes is misinformation by placing a resolution on City Council’s agenda. The “Resolution Supporting the Establishment See KUNSELMAN, Page 3A
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
CFE kicks off business competition, The Startup
Mayor reviews city initiatives, ‘U’ relationship Taylor talks continued positive interactions with President Schlissel By ANASTASSIOS ADAMOPOULUS Daily Staff Reporter
Mayor Christopher Taylor (D) has been in office for two months — and a great deal has happened. Under Taylor’s purview, the city has adopted a resolution calling for Ann Arbor police officers to wear body cameras, inaugurated a new fire chief and approved the construction of a new parking structure. And the mayor has met with University President Mark Schlissel twice since coming to office — one of these meetings was during Taylor’s first day on the job. Taylor, a University alum, has previously stressed the importance of a strong relationship between the city and the Uni-
versity. He said he expects to meet with Schlissel periodically and looks forward to continued communication with the University, which he added indicates a “mutual commitment” to the Ann Arbor community. “We are long term players,” Taylor said in an interview with The Michigan Daily. “It is in the University’s best interest to have a city that works (and) have a successful Ann Arbor, and it is in Ann Arbor’s interest to have the University continue to be a global leader in higher education.” Taylor has played a role in facilitating several initiatives in his first two months as mayor, such as beginning snow removal earlier than usual this year to preempt weather-related traffic issues. He also noted that City Council is trying to make local housing more affordable and is using a Homeless Needs Assessment report to direct these efforts. The initiative comes after the council approved in December See MAYOR, Page 3A
Event aims to develop student ideas through mentorship, seed funding By CARLY NOAH
PAUL SHERMAN/Daily
Janet Napolitano, president of the University of California, discusses her experiences in public service and education as a part of the Ford School of Public Policy’s Policy Talks Lecture Series at the Power Center Wednesday.
Napolitano calls on students to engage in public service Former DHS secretary discusses negative perception of political discourse By ANASTASSIOS ADAMOPOULUS Daily Staff Reporter
The Ford School of Public Policy hosted University of California President Janet
Napolitano, former secretary of Homeland Security under President Barack Obama, for a lecture and question and answer session on public service and politics Wednesday. Napolitano, who also served as Arizona’s governor from 2003 to 2009, spoke to an audience of almost 300 at the Power Center on a number of issues including public higher education institutions, negative perceptions of politics and her experiences serving in various
posts. Napolitano urged the crowd to change their views on the role of politics, which she said has turned negative across the country, and to strive to become leaders and improve what they see as problematic with the current leadership. “When practicing politics is perceived as a lesser, not greater form of public service, practicing politics becomes unattractive to those who like See NAPOLITANO, Page 3A
Daily Staff Reporter
Entrepreneurially minded University students are preparing to compete for a new title: “The Startup.” Organized by the University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and modeled after NBC’s reality show “The Voice,” the program, in its first year, encourages students to share their business ideas in an environment designed to simulate the real-world stakes faced by entrepreneurs. Similar to what contestants endure on “The Voice,” selected applicants will participate in a casting call, where they will present their business proposal and describe what “The Startup” can do for their personal and professional development. If selected, students will comSee CFE, Page 3A
M-Agination A look into the student-driven film production team
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INDEX
Vol. CXXIV, No. 46 ©2015 The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com
NEWS......................... 2A OPINION.....................4A S P O R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A
SUDOKU..................... 3A CL ASSIFIEDS...............6A B-SIDE ....................1B