I’m sitting here on MSU campus, logged in to the campus wireless as an “affiliated guest”.
It sure would be nice if we could do this at EMU.
Or how about handheld (PDA) tours of campus. PDA-friendly campus websites. Student email accounts that last forever (reducing quota to encourage them to forward their mail). Increasing interactivity to increase alumni-engagement.
What else? ICT, are you listening?
Posted in Uncategorized
See the Ann Arbor News:
“Orange Taylor III guilty in slaying of Eastern Michigan University student”
The jury said Taylor was guilty of all counts against him. A conviction for felony murder means a mandatory sentence of life in prison …
Posted in Dickinson Murder, Uncategorized
I make this request because of the email that was sent out by Dr Loppnow.
It reads -
Please take some time out of your busy lives to help save someone else’s. EMU is pleased to be partnering with the American Red Cross by hosting blood drives on April 1, 2 and 3 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. in the Student Center. You can set up an appointment online at www.givelife.org and enter the sponsor code EMU.
Blood supplies are at critically low levels. The need is particularly acute after a popular vacation period like Spring Break/Easter, so your help is especially important at this time. Please make an appointment today.
Sincerely,
Donald M. Loppnow
Provost and Executive Vice President
I am personally barred from donating blood because I am gay man. The FDA currently has a policy that bans men who have sex with men from giving blood because they feel that gay men have a “higher risk” of having HIV/AIDS than any other population. At the time that this policy was created that statement was true.
Back in the 1980s when this policy was created there was a lot of people becoming infected with HIV from blood transfusions (Ryan White). So the FDA told the Red Cross and other organizations that collected blood donations that they had to test every pint of blood for HIV. At the time the Red Cross told the FDA it would not be cost effective to test every pint of the blood. (at the time that was true and would have caused the Red Cross to go bankrupt) In response the FDA created a policy that barred men who have sex with men aka gay men from donating blood.
Now today the Red Cross test every pint of blood for HIV. Also, HIV is not a “gay disease” it can infect anyone. Studies show that heterosexual African-American Females are actually the population in the USA which has the highest rate of infections. Those numbers are starting to change to show that all sub-populations are becoming equal in the infections rates.
SO in my view banning gay men from giving blood is flat wrong!
I am so proud that EMU is partnering to host this amazing cause. However, it still saddens me I cannot participate fully in a program I find 1000000% worthy. I will not ask that this program be banned from coming to campus because of the discriminatory actions it takes, I just want to take time to educate people on the facts so one day we can change the policy.
I would like to donate blood to help save lives, but the FDA says my HIV- Blood is unsafe because I am a gay man. Please donate blood in my place so that the FDA’s policy will not stand in the way of my passion in saving lives. Please consider doing so, you donation will save countless lives.
Thank you for helping to save lives in my place!
Posted in Uncategorized
There is an updated article from Crain’s Detroit Business, “Most Influential Women,” announcing Regent Fran Parker’s resignation from HAP. Apparently, Regent Parker wants to devote herself to EMU now that she has transformed that health-care organization:
Now that she’s on the board, Parker is intent on bringing the mission-driven approach she’s implemented at HAP to every decision the board makes.”Are we using our dollars wisely? Are the vast majority of dollars going towards education versus administration?” Parker asked. Parker implemented the same approach at HAP, and today, the company has one of the lowest administrative rates among insurance providers, she said. The system allocates only 7.5 percent of its total revenue to administration and reserves. The remainder goes toward medical care and expenses. “What I want to do was bring the type of approach to (the budget process), transparency and collaboration that we’ve had at HAP to EMU,” Parker said, while ensuring the students EMU graduates meet employers’ needs. Parker said she views the university’s budgeting process as more top-down than bottom-up. She’s urging the board to not only look at that but also to begin looking at next year’s budget now so that EMU can provide more transparency and solicit more faculty involvement and dialogue. …
I welcome the intervention and very much look forward to the reformed, transparent, and bottom-up budgeting that Regent Parker proposes. Welcome (again) to EMU, Regent Parker, this time in full force!
Posted in Board of Regents, Uncategorized
I ask this question to start a conversation about the motives for each the administration and the faculty.
Are we a truly student centered university?
Faculty – How do you put the students 1st before yourself?
Admin – How do you put the students 1st before yourself?
Every day I wake up I ask myself “How am I going to enhance the experience of the students on campus?”
Also everything I do or anything I ask for I always ask “Is this going to benefit me or the students” If I find myself answering the question as it would only benefit me I don’t do it. Everything we do needs to benefit the student first before anyone else. If that means I have to put in extra hours or it makes my day just a bit more stressful as long as the students are being served then thats the point of me being here.
Sometimes, yes I do these things at the cost to my own health, friends, and family. However this is the life I chose to live. Students must and will always come first.
Now with that being said one needs to look out for themselves as well…if one does not survive then they can not serve the students. One needs to ensure one can live a healthy life and provide for their family. Also, someone can have career goals – but as long as they are trying to advance into “higher positions” to enhance the experience for the students then great – however if someone wants to advance into “higher positions” because they want the title or the money it is time for them to leave the profession.
As long as very decision is made to put the students 1st no decision will be wrong. It may not be agreeable to everyone, but if the students are effected in a positive way and the faculty and staff are inconvenienced in some little ways, sorry I will go the way that will enhance the student experience.
Thoughts, everyone?
Posted in Uncategorized
I do not want the 1st person to say “I told you so!” BUT check out this news story.
Judge considered for EMU presidency
Thoughts?
Posted in Uncategorized
Among the unexpected publications that have done stories on EMU recently is that vital journal of social criticism, COSMO, as Professor Cassidy mentioned here a while ago. The January 2008 issue of COSMOPOLITAN, the most influential of American “women’s magazines” has a three page story, ”Why Your Campus Can Be a Dager Zone,” and it starts with a recap of the murder of Laura Dickinson in Hill Hall and the dishonest handling of her death by EMU. Most of the article is devoted to good advice about how to stay safe on campus. Indeed, the article is very informative, and would actually make a nice pamphlet for college students, as its writing is far more engaging than most of handouts that students get when they arrive on campuses. There is one small photo of Laura Dickinson accompanying the article, and a large photo of a campus scene from some unidentified, but not Eastern’s, campus. It cogently makes the case that universities need to do more to make the campuses safer. I couldn’t find this article on line, but the issue should be in the stores for another week, I’d guess, before being replaced by the Feb. issue.
SO a friend of mine called me this morning because her graduation is being moved to EMU because the UofM Stadium is under construction and will not be completed by graduation.
Because of construction, commencement won’t be at Big House
Grad ceremony won’t be at Big House
In some ways I think it is really funny that the students need to come to OUR campus to graduate.
In other ways I DO NOT want them here! Reasons:
~ UofM students do not respect our university
~ Only reason it is happening is because of $$$$ (just a guess)
~ I DO NOT want Maze and Blue on my campus the same weekend as my graduation. Yes, we graduate in the Convo Center BUT i am sure they will not have it cleaned up by the time we graduate and I want to show my parents the stadium and it better be Green and White.
~ I do not want UofM overpowering my graduation which we know they will do by overhauling our stadium. I am sure there will be a BIG “M” painted on our field which will not go away by morning!
This is not right that we are being USED because the UofM officials messed up. I would not want my graduation moved to another university. I am proud I went to EMU and would be just as mad if I had to graduate some place else!
I say lets help the UofM students stay on their campus, Join in the protests, Write letters, Sign petitions – anything to help keep them on their campus.
Thoughts?
Posted in Uncategorized
Thesis: Academic Affairs is the good-hearted whore slapped around by the other divisions (paraphrased from the respected PT down the hall).
Evidence:
Am I wrong?
I am *so* ready to support a president who understands that the point, the whole point, is academics. Everything else makes the academics happen and some of the non-academic stuff makes academics more fun.
The mission is the knowledge. What makes EMU so special is who are students are and how they relate to faculty.
The problem is other divisions get to hide behind their antiquated, clunky and secretive processes. Academic Affairs is pretty much laid bare for all to see — not so for other divisions.
Posted in Academics, Budgets, EMU President Search, Uncategorized
The campus community is invited to participate in an open forum with each of the candidates for Executive Director of Public Safety. All forums will be held from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in 201 Welch as follows:
Monday, December 3 – Lloyd Collins
Chief of Police, City of South Lyon Police Department
Wednesday, December 5 – Adam Garcia
Director of Police Services, University of Nevada
Friday, December 7 – Charles Noffsinger
Police Captain, Department of Public Safety, The University of Michigan
Wednesday, December 12 – Gregory O’Dell
Deputy Chief, City of Ann Arbor Police Department
For further information contact Ellen Gold at 487-1107 or egold@emich.edu.
Posted in Uncategorized
