ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM
Thursday, February 7, 2017
Ann Arbor, Michigan
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ACADEMICS
SACUA aims to gauge ‘U’ climate with staff surveys Committee debates whether social diversity appraisal will prove effective EMILY MIILLER Daily Staff Reporter
DESIGN BY: MICHELLE PHILLIPS
Title IX’s role at University unclear under new Trump administration
Possible Sec. of Education Betsy DeVos has given ambigious responses in past JENNIFER MEER Daily Staff Reporter
Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the fate of Title IX and actions associated with it, both nationally and at the University of Michigan, are uncertain. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, in conjunction with then-President Obama’s administration, released a “Dear Colleague” letter to
universities, emphasizing Title IX’s prohibition of discrimination “on the basis of sex in education programs or activities operated by recipients of Federal financial assistance.” This guidance stipulated universities’ obligations to promptly respond to sexual misconduct claims on their campuses. Given the report, the University of Michigan is one of over 240 schools undergoing a formal investigation by the Department of Education of its
handling of sexual misconduct cases. The investigation began nearly three years ago, in February 2014. The University has since come under fire for failing to release documents related to the investigation in a timely manner. A Freedom of Information Act request was filed against the University in 2015 for the release of documents such as written complaints, emails and other statements to further the investigation. The request was
paid for in part by The Michigan Daily. As of now, the investigation is still underway, according to University officials. However, its continuation is questionable given the overhaul set to occur within the Department of Education in the coming weeks. The vote to confirm Betsy DeVos, Michigan native and education activist, as secretary of education is expected to occur Tuesday, according to CNN. DeVos is expected to See TITLE IX, Page 3
The Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs discussed strategies on how to gauge social climate within the faculty and staff through surveys soon to be released. The committee also debated how to promote diversity without undermining Proposal 2, Michigan’s 2006 legislation that prevents universities from using affirmative action — including special preferences based on factors such as ethnicity, race and gender — in admissions and hiring. Jennifer Linderman, director of the ADVANCE program, first introduced the variety of programs housed under ADVANCE, which originated as a program to promote representation of female faculty in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields
and expanded to promote diversity across the University of Michigan as a whole. “Basically we’re after supporting a diverse and excellent faculty here at the University,” Linderman said. She also answered various questions about ADVANCE’s involvement with the University’s hiring process and its process for department-specific social climate surveys. In regards to hiring new faculty members, Linderman said ADVANCE primarily offers advice on how to be mindful of diversity during the review of potential faculty and staff members. “I see it mostly as advice as how to be thoughtful about your process in terms of when you evaluate candidates,” she said. SACUA member Robert Ortega, associate professor of social work, raised concerns about faculty climate surveys, as well as the importance of transparency in how the See SACUA, Page 3
City Council hears protests from locals DPSS gives Prayer rug safety tips over A2 status as “sanctuary city” in Shapiro
CRIME
CRIME
following robberies
Fear over lost funding does not prevent unanimous passing of sanctuary resolution
Advice includes walking in groups, calling a SafeRide while investigation ongoing
A group of about 50 people demonstrated outside the City Council chambers before the meeting Tuesday, in the hopes of convincing the council to adopt a resolution declaring Ann Arbor a sanctuary city with chants of “No ICE! No raids! Immigrants are here to stay!” The group’s protest was in response to an executive order recently signed by President Donald Trump, whose stated intent was “enhancing public safety in the interior of the United States.” The order, signed Jan. 25, ensures that “sanctuary jurisdictions” — cities, townships or universities that refuse to assist federal immigration authorities in identifying and detaining undocumented immigrants — are not eligible to receive federal grants, “except as deemed necessary for law enforcement purposes.” A resolution eventually passed unanimously to enthusiastic applause from protesters and residents in attendance, effectively making Ann Arbor one. However, this version didn’t contain the words “sanctuary city” or any references to definitive protective policies. According to Councilmember Jack Eaton (D–Ward 4), the
CARLY RYAN
Daily Staff Reporter
The University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security released a notice on their website and Twitter outlining behaviors that could decrease the series of armed robberies around campus. “Pedestrians are encouraged to walk in pairs or groups,” the notice read. “Neighborhood residents are encouraged to leave on their porch lights. All are encouraged to contact police immediately at 911 if they see any suspicious activity.” Following the notice, Dean of Students Laura Jones asked faculty to share the information with students to make the entire campus more aware. DPSS spokesperson Diane Brown said she has been in contact with student life about helping increase student safety. “We’ve reached out to student life as one of our key partners on campus,” she said. “Particularly with Beyond the Diag on having student ambassadors in that neighborhood to help us make sure that message was getting distributed.” According to Brown, DPSS has See DPSS, Page 3
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ANDREW HIYAMA Daily Staff Reporter
term “sanctuary city” does not have legitimate legal meaning. The resolution did request that the city attorney and city administrator to review the order. “(The) City Attorney is directed to research and provide advice regarding possible options or actions the
City might take to protect the rights of the City and persons within its jurisdiction,” the resolution reads. Before the resolution was passed, the council discussed how local officials should interact with federal officers, with fears of losing funding. Councilmember Chuck Warpehoski (D–Ward
5) proposed an amendment declaring the Council’s opposition to House Bill 4105. House Bill 4105 was introduced to the Michigan state legislature on Jan. 26 by state Rep. Pamela Hornberger (R–Pinckney) and intended to prohibit local governments from enacting policies that See CITY, Page 3
AARON BAKER/Daily
Ann Arbor residents show support for making Ann Arbor a sanctuary city at City Council in the City Council Chambers on Monday.
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INDEX
Vol. CXXVII, No. 24 ©2016 The Michigan Daily
library was vandalized
Reflection room carpet urinated on will be called a bias incident, says DPSS CARLY RYAN
Daily Staff Reporter
The University of Michigan Islamic Society of Ahlulbayt received a report on Sunday that someone urinated on one of the large prayer rugs located in the ref lection room in the basement of the Shapiro Undergraduate Library. Division of Public Safety and Security spokeswoman Diane Brown confirmed campus police were notified of the incident. The room has been taped off to allow it to be cleaned. Brown added she could not comment on any possible suspects. “There was an incident that was reported ... with vandalism in the ref lection room,” she said. “It will likely be categorized with a bias motivation.” Many ref lection rooms exist on campus for the sake of prayer and meditation, but if students need to use the ref lection room in Shapiro, the ISA advised students to use their own prayer rugs and pray in the back corner. The ISA See RUG, Page 3
NEWS.........................2 OPINION.....................4 ARTS......................6
SUDOKU.....................2 CLASSIFIEDS...............6 SPORTS....................7