ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM
Friday, September 8, 2017
Ann Arbor, Michigan
michigandaily.com
One final year
Last season, Mason Cole could have left for the NFL Draft. Instead, he’s taking the field as the Wolverines’ captain in its home opener.
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New provost emphasizes dedication to academics Martin Philbert expresses gratitude to Schlissel, administration for position MATT HARMON Daily Staff Reporter
DESIGN BY JACK SILBERMAN
Betsy DeVos announces new DOE process to address sexual assault RIYAH BASHA Daily News Editor
U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced Thursday afternoon the Department of Education will replace what she called a “failed” system of addressing sexual misconduct on campus with a new focus on due process
and the rights of accused students. Some cheered the change of course on enforcing Title IX, but many — including sexual assault survivors and advocates at the University of Michigan — read Thursday’s announcement as a rollback of Obama-era guidelines, with no clear plan of action in sight. In a speech at George Mason University, DeVos railed
against “kangaroo courts,” or the complex legal processes many universities have in place to redress reports of sexual misconduct. All parties — but especially accused students, she said — experience violations of their due process rights during investigations. “The notion that a school must diminish due process rights to better serve the ‘victim’ only
creates more victims,” she said. “Any perceived offense can become a full-blown Title IX investigation. But if everything is harassment, then nothing is.” Under former President Barack Obama, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights wielded Title IX to pressure campus administrations into See TITLE IX, Page 3A
Martin Philbert, new University of Michigan provost, thanked University President Mark Schlissel and the provost team for his position and spoke on the importance of academia on a national scale at his hiring reception in the Michigan League Thursday afternoon. About 75 students and faculty members attended the reception and address. The University has been without a permanent provost since former Provost Martha Pollack was appointed the 14th president of Cornell University last spring. Between Pollack’s departure and Philbert’s hiring, Public Policy Prof. Paul Courant
acted as interim provost. Philbert has served as dean of the School of Public Health since 2011 before becoming provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. In his opening remarks, President Schlissel described the provost position as one of great significance at the University, since the provost presides over all academic initiatives and oversees the University’s budget. “The beauty and the challenge and the importance of the provost position is it sees the whole playing field,” Schlissel said. “The value of being able to see that whole playing field and make good decisions in a world where resources are always limited, putting the right people together, making the right See PROVOST, Page 3A
New student veteran initiatives aim to ‘U’ begins Director new Peace increase support, resources on campus for SAPAC
ACADEMICS
Corps prep initiative International Center to offer preparation courses in cultural competence MAYA GOLDMAN Daily Staff Reporter
When LSA sophomore Leah Weinstein entered college last year, like many, she didn’t know exactly what she wanted to do after graduation. She knew she wanted to work abroad in some capacity, but it wasn’t until later in the year that the Peace Corps became a real option in her mind. “I always knew what it was but I met a few people who had done or were going to do it and it just kind of became more prevalent to me as an option,” Weinstein said. “I’m interested in human rights and women’s health and so I would love to work abroad teaching English or in a community center or something like that, and the Peace Corps allows you to (do that).” Weinstein is certainly not the only University of Michigan student to express interest in the program. Since former President John F. Kennedy See CORPS, Page 3A
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BUSINESS
Faculty, Peer Advisors for Veteran Education present opportunities for engagement AMARA SHAIKH Daily Staff Reporter
Student veterans attended orientation in the Pond room of the Michigan Union Thursday evening and learned about the various resources and initiatives to support them on campus. The orientation was led by Psychology Lecturer Eric Fretz, Philip Larson, program director for the Student Veterans Assistance Program, and members of the Peer Advisors for Veteran Education. The incoming students had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with various community members and programs dedicated to ensuring their success — specifically Fretz’s Veteran Success course. Fretz combined his background in education and military service and collaborated with Larson and others to develop a series of modules intended to teach student veterans necessary skills, such as study strategies, financial tips and health and safety guidelines. He emphasized the importance of his modules and explained how learning these skills at young age can help prepare for the future. “I already taught a Learning
How to Learn course for psychology and of course the vets need it as much as any other incoming first year, so I started taking chunks of that and delivering it to them at the meeting,” Fretz said. “I also have a large, self-taught background with finance, and I’ve learned a lot of lessons
the hard way and I figured this could be used to clarify to people that you can have a secure retirement--you have to know about it and start early, but most people don’t know about it and don’t start early.” The Veteran Success course has been praised
not only because of its straightforwardness but also because of Fretz’s ability to connect with the student veterans. Larson himself applauded Fretz for his no-nonsense and relatable tone. “I think he relates well See VETERAN, Page 3A
RYAN MCLOUGHLIN/DAILY Dr. Eric Fretz presents to students at the New Student Veteran Initiatives in the Michigan Union on Thursday.
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INDEX
Vol. CXXVII, No. 85 ©2016 The Michigan Daily
to start this October
Kaaren Williamsen set to replace interim director, Nadia Brazzy RIYAH BASHA Daily News Editor
The University of Michigan Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center named Kaaren Williamsen its permanent director, according to an email sent by E. Royster Harper, vice president for student life, to her office Thursday afternoon. Williamsen will head the office beginning Oct. 23, replacing interim director Nadia Bazzy. Bazzy has been in office for little over six months — since March 3 — after the departure of longtime director Holly Rider-Milkovich for a senior position at EverFi, an educational technology innovator firm. Both RiderMilkovich and her successor have worked with EverFi; Williamsen served on EverFi’s national Sexual Assault Advisory Council in 2016, in addition to roles with the American College Personnel Association Presidential Task See SAPAC, Page 3A
NEWS.........................2 OPINION.....................4 ARTS......................6
SUDOKU.....................2 CLASSIFIEDS...............6 SPORTS....................7