About a week ago, I posted here about Thomas “The World is Flat” Friedman talking at EMU and wondering how it was that this event was being advertised at MSU and there seemed no information about it here at EMU. Regular EMUTalk.org commentator Alum posted information that more or less said that EMU students can get in just like everyone else: pay the $30 fee.
Well, according to this post at The Ypsi Tattler, that’s not the complete story.
According to the Tattler, this is an event being sponsored by the Michigan Business Review, at least in part. And, also according to the Tattler (via an email they quote):
A limited block of 1,000 free tickets (for the Thomas Friedman speech only) are available to MSU, U-M and WSU students, faculty and staff by calling (734) 763-5554 or at the Michigan Union Ticket Office. University ID required (limit two tickets per person)
So basically, whoever is sponsoring this talk is happy to use EMU’s campus and services and is also happy to give some tickets to students at “flagship” universities in Michigan, but EMU students/faculty/staff need to cough up some cash.
Frankly, I’m tempted to try to get some tickets with my EMU ID and see what happens.
You might want to know that EMU’s facilities are not being used gratis; they are collecting a hefty fee for renting and catering the luncheon. Moreover, you should know that this is one of the 5 or 6 luncheons put on by the Washtenaw Economic Club. Members buy tables or seats for these luncheons which allows them to have lunch and listen to a speaker several times a year. These are usually held at the Marriot Hotel, but because there is such a demand to hear this speaker, it was moved.
I understand that the Convocation Center is being rented for the event. But there appears to be a specific effort to get free tickets to folks associated with “the big three” universities and to not include the university where this event is being held. I find that troubling.
Look at it like this: if the Washtenaw Economic Club decided to rent an arena at MSU, U of M, or WSU to hold this event, do you really think they wouldn’t extend the free ticket opportunity for people on that campus? And EMU is to blame here too. If the Washtenaw Economic Club decided to rent Chrysler Arena at U of M, I can guarantee you that one of the conditions would have been allowing U of M students/staff/faculty to apply for one of these free tickets. But apparently at EMU, we just want to rent the space with no strings attached.
Well, lets see, 1,000 X $30.00 = $30,000. What budget line item does that come out of at a cash strapped institution.? Strings attached? – I think it’s great that we get to rent our facilities and put a few people (students) to work to cater the luncheon. It could have easily been moved to another facility. Perhaps Chrysler Arena! There’s a hefty debt for the convocation center, so let’s charge the maximum! The Washtenaw Economic Club has always used facilities in the Ypsilanti Area. Let’s keep it that way. Perhaps U of M took the money out of their billion dollar endowment?
But that’s not what’s going on here, Alum. The Washtenaw Economic Club is making a 1,000 “freebies” available (and not for the luncheon, either) to WSU, MSU, and UM, presumably because it’s good PR, it is goodwill, and (I’m guessing) they figure they might as well since they probably aren’t going to “sell out” the Convocation Center. It’s not like WSU, MSU, and UM is giving the Washtenaw Economic Club any money for this, right?
I still think that the main reason this is what’s going on is because the organizers of the event figure they don’t really need to include EMU. But like I said, maybe someone should try to get a “freebie” with their EMU ID and see how that turns out.
Once again, sitedad, you are jumping to conclusions. It is my guess that it is not the Washtenaw Economic Club that is providing the tickets, but the Michigan Business Review. And I must also disagree with your comment that if they had rented Crisler Arena there would have been an arrangement for UofM faculty and students. You obviously have never been to one of the events there.
I did notice that the Friedman event is on the main emich.edu homepage now.
SiteDad: Why are you so negative about EMU? You don’t even know the facts.
I’m not being negative on EMU, Alum. I’m just wondering why a) the Washtenaw Economic Club or the Michigan Business Review (it doesn’t matter to me which one is giving away the tickets) feels like it is perfectly okay to not include EMU students, and b) whoever at EMU was responsible for booking this event was okay with that arrangement.
And EMU supporter: the day that an even like this at U of M specifically excludes its own students and faculty while including (for example) EMU students and faculty is the day I will eat my shorts. You’re going to have to give me an example of an event “there” at U of M if you really think this has happened.
Oh the humanity!!!!! As long as the arrangement brings in revenue to the University!
Two things, and that’s all from me. First – There are EMU students who’d like to hear Friedman – an author they’ve read – but feel they cannot afford the $30; that’s too bad, since he’s gonna be on the EMU campus and it’s very good for college students to hear an author in person!
Second, I suspect that UofM and Wayne each provide some economic support for the Wastenaw Economic club, on a regular basis, or else their student affairs depts. — which have much more cash than EMU – have arranged for the tickets. This probably explains the disparity.
I am glad the Convo center is being rented; it is mostly a drain on campus resources. But hey, it’s understandable that EMU students and their faculty advocates regret that the event isn’t more welcoming to EMU students.
“First – There are EMU students who’d like to hear Friedman – an author they’ve read – but feel they cannot afford the $30; that’s too bad, since he’s gonna be on the EMU campus and it’s very good for college students to hear an author in person!”
(raises hand)
You’re not the only one, ET. I think it speaks well of EMU how many of our students have read Thomas Friedman (quite a few that I know of). It may not speak so well of how EMU decision makers decide on renting our faciliities — surely some of the cash from the rental of the convo could have gone to cover a certain # of tickets for interested EMU students. To not do so is, plainly, to risk looking indifferent to EMU students. That said, i’m sure nothing malicious was intended – no deliberate exclusion was envisioned.
Another note — an old friend of mine who used to work at the NEW YORK TIMES as a copyeditor told me, decades ago when i was still a New Yorker, that Tom Friedman was a super nice person. His star hadn’t risen quite so high back then as it has now, but I like to think he’s a decent and fair person.
I’ll buy one ticket for one EMU student — just be the first one to contact me at mhigbee at emich dot edu. I’d go to the talk myself but i have a class at that hour.
I spoke with Pres. Martin about this situation and she informs me that EMU has 500 tickets for the Friedman talk. She indicated that students and faculty should contact the appropriate Dean to obtain a ticket. We sometimes have a tendency to jump to erroneous conclusions and this is one instance of that tendency. Pres. Martin is “on the job” looking out for Eastern’s interests. Way to go, Pres. Martin.
Thank you, Bert, for this good news — and hats off to President Sue Martin for ensuring that there are ways for students to attend Thomas Friedman’s talk without costs. This is entirely consistent with her commendable student-focused leadership.
But there appears to have been a communication breakdown, as it seems that the average EMU student had no way of knowing there were 500 tickets for EMU students. The press release announcing the event on the EMU web page makes no mention of this, and simply says “All tickets are $30. Tickets are available by calling the EMU Box Office at 487- 2282.” Students who made inquiries were told they could go for $30, and given no alternative. I am not sure anyone jumped to “erroneous conclusions,” Bert, as much as people accepted statements made by the public relations office of the university: “All tickets are $30.” I am glad that’s not the case and that, due to Sue Martin, EMU students are indeed encouraged to attend. Way to go, President Martin!
What Mark said on all counts: good for free tickets for EMU students, good for Susan Martin, and how the heck are we supposed to know about these free tickets otherwise?
Take a look at the press release on the EMU web site. There is no mention, either because Martin et al just made these tickets available or because whoever wrote the press release didn’t think the 500 free tickets matter much. Either way, I’m not so sure about jumping to an erroneous conclusion.
When I heard about the tickets for Tom Friedman, I immediately called the EMU ticket office and was told that the tickets were $30 and that there were no free tickets for EMU students, only for UM, WSU students. When I called the UM ticket office, I was told the same thing. I too wonder how any EMU student was supposed to ascertain that there were 500 free tickets out there floating around.
Those evil suits!!
An email went out from the President’s office today that detailed how to get the free tickets.
“The President’s Office has a limited number of general admission seats for the Thomas Friedman speech on Wednesday, September 17 at 12:30 p.m. in the EMU Convocation Center. Mr. Friedman is the author of Hot, Flat and Crowded – Why We Need a Green Revolution and How It Can Renew America.
One ticket per student will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to those who respond to this email.
Office of the President”
Thanks for that, ET. And as faculty know, there are a number of freebie tickets for faculty through the AAUP office as well.
It’s terrific that these tickets are being made available to EMU students. Double hats off to President Martin! Bringing important authors to campus for students to hear is a prime function of universities, and that’s being done this week for EMU students, with the Thomas Friedman visit.