In this political season, I thought that this letter in the Detroit News might be of interest here. It’s short, so here’s the whole thing:
What I would like The News to explain in its endorsements for the Big Three Michigan public universities (“Our picks for university, state education boards,” Oct. 16) is: Why are the other state universities exempt from electing their regents or trustees? I imagine that alumni from Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Grand Valley State, Oakland University and other universities would like a say in who represents their interests instead of having the governor appoint the regents. Until I get to vote for the regents at my alma mater, Eastern Michigan University, there is no need to vote for anyone to represent a university I did not even attend.
Eric Brown
Canton Township
Now the answer to the question– why is this the case– is because it is mandated by the state constitution, and changing that is not going to be easy. But just because it would be a hard thing to do doesn’t mean that it is a bad idea.
