The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
ROSS CENTER
From Page 1A
ing is being used," he said.
University spokeswoman Kelly
Cunningham said the building
was designed for varsity student-
athletes so they could have a place
to study.
"From what I understand, they
are full to capacity," she said.
However, at 7:30 p.m. there were
only a dozen athletes in the com-
puter lab, study rooms remained
unoccupied and there was plenty of
open seating in the center's lobby.
Cunningham said there is no
policy that states athletes are or are
not allowed to have their own sep-
arate academic facility. She cited
other University students with pri-
vate access to buildings such as the
gymnasium in the Ross School of
Business for Business students and
some computerlabs on North Cam-
pus for Engineering students.
Cunninghamsaid these facilities
were "created to meet the needs of
the community."
However, in October 2001 the
NCAA established a rule that stat-
ed student-athletes must integrate
with the student body, and institu-
tions may not form residences halls
specifically for athletes.
Christopher Radford, National
Collegiate Athletic Association
assistant director of public and
media relations, said there are no
rules or regulations stating that
the University is violating NCAA
policy by granting student-athletes
their own private building.
"It's a University issue," Radford
said.
He added that the "NCAA
doesn't govern at that level."
In an article in The Michi-
gan Daily in January 2006, Joe
Roberson, former University
athletic director, said the Ross
Academic Center isolates student-
athletes from the rest of the stu-
dent body.
"The University went to the
Supreme Court arguing that diver-
sity was a very important compo-
nent of education in the affirmative
action case," Roberson said. "How
you can Justify isolating a group
of people who probably have more
in common than any ethnic group
- being athletes and being driven
by athletics - and claim the diver-
sity issue is being accomplished is
beyond me."
Stephen M. Ross, who donated
$5 million to help fund the con-
struction of the facility, said in the
article that the center does not sep-
arate athletes and students.
"They still go to classes together,
so I don't think it isolates them," he
said.
LSA freshman Greg Pateryn, a
Michigan hockey player, was study-
ing alone at a table in the hallway
of the second floor last Thursday.
When asked if he would be will-
ing to allow non-student-athletes
to study in the building, he said he
"personally wouldn't mind."
"But if it got out of hand it would
be a little annoying if a lot of people
would be in here," Pateryn said.
He added that the center assists
varsity athletes who sometimes
need extra academic help, and said
it's nice to have a place for athletes
to focus on work.
Another Michigan hockey play-
er, who wished to remain anony-
mous because he did not want his
name associated with the story,
said he agrees it is unfair that regu-
lar students are barred from the
building but believes the policy
makes sense.
"It's pretty big for all the ath-
letes, but if you add other students
it would be pretty clustered, and
there would not be much room to
work," he said.
Athlete Academic Advisor Ste-
ven Carson was not even aware
such a policy stating who could
enter in the building existed.
"I don't know if that's a rule or
not," he said. "If it is, it's an unspo-
ken rule."
Carson said he has seen one stu-
dent who lives across the streetcome
in and use the building about once a
week since the center was opened.
LSA sophomore Brad Schumaier,
a different student who lives across
the street, said he didn't think he
could go in the building.
"I think it would be nice if we
could use it," he said. "It would be
better than having to walk over to
the library."
Schumaier is not alone. Even club
varsity athletes get kicked out.
Engineering senior Annie Kirk-
patrick is a member of the Univer-
sity's Varsity Synchronized Skating
Club team. Kirkpatrick tried going
into the Ross Academic Center last
year because she was in the area
and needed a place to study. When
she told the reception desk she was
a club varsity athlete, they told
her she was not allowed to use the
facility because only varsity ath-
letes are allowed.
Since then, Kirkpatrick has not
gone back. She said she doesn't
understand why club varsity ath-
letes are denied access to the build-
ing, addingshe practices eight to 12
hours a week and even pays $3,200
a year in skating fees.
"It would be nice if it were
opened up to at least the club var-
sity sports," she said. "We spend a
lot of time and practice as well, and
we're actually paying for our sport
so it might be nice to actually get
some of those benefits."
Recreational Sports Director
William Canning said the size of
the Ross Academic Center makes
it impossible to accommodate the
15,000 students involved in intra-
mural sports and 1,800 involved in
club sports.
If he could, Canning said he
would love to have intramural and
club athletes use the building.
"The building, the services, the
staffing, just is not designed to do
that nor is there the budget to be
able to do that," he said.
During the 2007 fiscal year, the
University spent $251,455 on the
center's maintenance and admin-
istrative expenses. That number
increased to $287,057 during the
2008 fiscal year.
Rackham Graduate School stu-
dent Julie Lesnik, an Anthropology
graduate student instructor, tutors
soccer and football players at the
center. She said she thinks the cen-
ter is a state of the art facility that
should be available to all students
on campus and claimed money is
the reason it isn't.
"I think it reflects that a lot of
the money to the University comes
through athletics," she said. "I wish
that the academic would be more
important in that there would be
facilities available to students who
were here strictly for an academic
reason, but it's the economy. It's the
world. It kind of all revolves around
money."
Lesnik said she agrees that if
the athletes generate the center's
money, then they have the right to
their own private building.
"It's understandable, but I just
wish there were academics bring-
ing in that kind of money too," she
said.
Kirkpatrick said she sees how
it can be hard for varsity athletes
to be an athlete and a student, but
thinks they shouldn't be treated
differently.
"I guess don't see why it's any
more difficult for them to use the
same facilities as everyone else,"
she said.
WILLIAMS
From Page 1A
For year, students have flocked
to Williams' classes, delighting
in his personality as much as his
teaching style.
Before beginningtoteacheach day
Williams makes it a point to create a
welcoming environment in his class-
es by personally greeting each stu-
dent, either by handshake or wave.
"He seemed to be a celebrity,"
said Debbie Sherman, an LSA soph-
omore enrolled in two of Williams'
classes this semester, "as each stu-
dent squirmed in his seat waiting to
shake his hand."
After this routine, Williams
begins his lectures well-known for
their dramatic, moving style and
incorporation of memorized pas-
sages, often in other languages.
"What sets him apart is his
showmanship," Wetherbee said.
"He treats every lecture like a per-
formance, putting an unparalleled
amount of vigor and finesse into
every word. You'd swear he stays up
until three every night rehearsing."
English Prof. Richard Bailey said
memories of Williams often stay
with students years after they leave
BUDGET
From Page 1A
funding higher education at 2006
levels, which was the lowest year
of state funding for the University
in recent years. However, Cole-
man said the state could apply for
a waiver to allow it to fund higher
education at lower levels.
Sullivan and Coleman both
stressed that the federal stimulus
bill may also present some unique
opportunities for the University
next year.
If the University receives stimu-
lus money through the state, Sulli-
van said there are several things the
University could use the money for,
including a temporary increase in
student financial aid. However, she
stressed that the stimulus money -
which is a one-time sum - should
not be used for an ongoing expense
as that could create a structural
deficit in the University's budget.
Another major funding source
academic activities at the Univer-
sity is student tuition, which has
not been finalizedyet. When asked
how the University would handle
the increased costs next year, Sul-
livan said cost containment efforts
would help, but admitted they
probably wouldn't cover the entire
cost increase.
"We've already squeezed a lot
out of tie budget and that's why
additional cost containment is
hard, especially in the short run,"
she said.
Other revenue sources will
include indirect recovery costs for
research projects at the University,
which pays for utility costs at the
University that are associated with
research projects funded by grants,
and endowment revenue, which
typically pays for 8 percent of the
University's operating expenses.
Hanlon said current projections
show an increase in expenses of
$10.3 million, before considering
non-union staff and faculty raises
and increases to financial aid paid
REGENTS
From Page 1A
hers of the Senate Advisory Com-
mittee on University Affairs - the
leading faculty governance body on
campus - that 204 faculty members
are up for promotion this year.
The regents also voted on stu-
dent housing rates last year in May.
Though she wasn't certain, Sullivan
said she thought those rates would
Ann Arbor.
"Ralph has been the most memo-
rable teacher of his generation," he
said. "You can count on graduates
remembering him with great joy."
LSA senior Chelsea Hopkins said
Williams's genuine care for his stu-
dents shows in each of his classes.
"He really takes the time to
acknowledge students and welcome
them to his classroom," she said. "It
makes him really approachable and
creates a great atmosphere."
Sherman said that Williams's
courses have hadboth an education-
al and emotional impact on her life
since she came to the University.
"Professor Williams changed my
entire college experience," Sher-
man said. "And I will never forget
his emotional, powerful lectures
to which I looked forward each
week."
Williams's ability to engage and
affect listeners is not limited to the
students in his class. His capability
for moving an audience hasbeenused
by the University to generate support
for the humanities on campus.
English Department Chair
Sidonie Smith said Williams is "an
ambassador for the University and
for humanities education," and often
plays a crucial role in alumni giving
by the University. Hanlon said this
amount is much less than in previ-
ous years, when cost increases have
ranged from $55 to $70 million.
Past year's figures for salary
increases to non-union staff and
faculty have ranged from $15 mil-
lion to $21 million. Hanlon said it
was still unclear how muchsalaries
would be increased next year.
According to Hanlon, a 1-percent
increase for non-union staff would
costtheUniversity$2.8million.Addi-
tionally, he said a 1-percent increase
for faculty would cost the University
an additional $3.36 million.
In aninterviewyesterday, Sullivan
said she wasn't sure yet what raise,
if any, faculty and non-union staff
would receive. Sullivan said while
employee productivity makes her
want to give employees a raise, she's
not sure how it would allibe funded.
To help cope with expected cost
increases and expected declines in
state appropriations, Hanlon said
University administrators have
proposed a number of cost contain-
ment efforts for next year.
Hanlon said the University has
also put several capital projects -
including an academic building and
parking structure on North Cam-
pus, a similar project on Wall Street
andanunderground storage facility
for artifacts at the William L. Ce-
ments Library - on hold, until the
economic situation improves.
One reduction to the budget will
include eliminating centrally funded
key initiatives. Past funded key initia-
tives have included the 100 new fac-
ultyinitiative,whichwasfullyfunded
last year but is still being implement-
ed. Next year any new initiatives will
need to be funded through a real-
location of funds, requiring deans to
sacrifice current activities to finance
new activities, Hanlon said.
The University will also freeze
funds for faculty retention pro-
grams and incentives at current
levels. In past years, funds for fac-
ultyretentionand recruitmenthave
been increased by as much as $4.5
million in one year. Sullivan said
be determined in June this year.
Also in June, the regents will
consider and adopt the University's
budget for next year. The regents
will review and vote on budget pro-
posals from each of the University's
three campuses and the University
of Michigan Health System. As part
of each campus's budget, the regents
also approve the tuition rates for the
next academic year.
At the same June meeting, the
regents typically approve student
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 - 7A
to the University.
"Because of his ability to engage
deeply whoever he is talking to, they
feel that they've participated in an
important conversation," she said.
The appreciation students and
facultyhave forWilliams ismatched
byhis owngratitude attheir involve-
ment in his life.
"I'm the luckiest man that ever
was,"he said. "I'mintensely aware of
the preciousness of time and hugely
gratefulthat my students share some
of their time of with me."
After his retirement, Williams
said he hopes to spend part of each
year abroad in London and part in
Ann Arbor to pursue writing proj-
ects and continue working with the
Royal Shakespeare Company, a the-
atrical ensemble.
"They have a fiction that I have
something to teach them," he said
of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
"The fact is, every time they open
their mouths, I learn from them."
Reflecting on his long and dis-
tinguished career at the University,
Williams said he was thankful to
have inspired so many.
"If I'm thought to have done good
here, I'm glad," he said. "But it's
not the only good that can be done.
There is still much to achieve."
making this decision was very dif-
ficult since the University wants to
retain its outstanding faculty mem-
bers in an increasingly competitive
market. Hanlon echoed Sullivan's
remarks, but said the current job
market should help to reduce the
need the use these funds.
Changes to University employ-
ees' health care packages will also
be made in January to help control
costs. Instead of the approximate
20 percent paid by employees for
their health plan, they will now be
responsible for paying 30 percent.
New hires to the University will
also be confronted by a recently
announced plan to implement a
one-year waiting period on Uni-
versity contributions to new
employees' retirement funds. Sul-
livan said the change is expected
to save approximately $6 million in
the next year alone.
Hanlon said the University has
hired a consultant to explore the
possibility of outsourcing some
services at the University. Among
the possibilities, Hanlon said the
consultant is currently considering
the possibility of outsourcing tele-
phone services and student e-mail.
Additionally, Hanlon said other
cost containment efforts willinclude
the consolidation of information
technology services, restructuring
the University Press as part of the
University Library System and the
implementation of best practices for
the use of endowment funds.
Despite the measures being
implemented to control costs,
Sullivan said she doesn't expect
that cost containment efforts will
be able to make up for projected
increases in expenses.
Over the past six years, the Uni-
versity has eliminated approxi-
mately $135 million in expenses.
The savings are attributed to sev-
eral changes, including renego-
tiating purchasing procedures to
receive additional discounts and
making buildings on campus more
energy efficient to reduce utility
costs.
fee increases - including the fees
for the Michigan Student Assembly,
student legal services and student
health services.
Last year was the first year that
these items were considered and
voted on in June. Historically, the
regents did not approve the budget,
tuition rates or fee increases until
their July meeting. Sullivan said the
date moved up last year so incoming
freshmen would know what tuition
rateswouldbe earlierinthesummer.
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h 21 to April 19)
go overboard spending money
Furthermore, in financial situa-
e careful not to overestimate
Things can look better than they
are today.)
1S
20 ta May 20)
Silt of grandiose, big ideas.
nt everyone to hear what you
say, and you assume they'll
th you. You're excited about big
the future!
IN[I
21 to June 20)
a relatively happy day for you.
cret thoughts and dreams keep
ed with hopes for the future.
vorking on a private agenda that
you.
ER
21 to July 22)
nds of group activities will
ou today. The company of oth-
s you feel enthusiastic and part
oup. Your enthusiasm for some
impresses everyone.
3 to Aug. 22)
reful what you promise to
arents, teachers and VIPs today.
easy to stick your neck out and
r not be able to deliver the
k a little conservative just to be
23 to Sept. 22)
plans look excititg. Similarly,
having to do with publishing,
a, higher education, medicine or
fills you with hopeful expecta-
23 to Oct. 22)
sions aboutiinheritances,shared
insurance matters, taxes and
encouraging today. Be realistic.
Don't give away the farm.
SCORPIO
(Oct. 23 to Nov. 21)}
In your eagerness to endorse some-
thing or go along with someone else's
plans, you mightoverlook some impor-
tant details. Be careful about this. Don't
get carried away.
SAG1TTAR IUS
(Nov. 22 to Dec. 21I)
2t prtoise mere than you can
deliver at work today, because you're
very tempted to do so. If you think
something is too good to be true, this is
probably the case.
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22 toJan. 19)
Enjoy playlful times with children
today. Sporting events, vacations,
romance and love affairs plus any social,
entertaining event will be full of good
times and enthusiasm!
AQUAIRIUS
(Jan. 20 to Feb. 18)
This is an excellent day for family dis-
cussions. Be a bit cautious with real
estate deals. Something could look more
profitable than it actually is.
Nevertheless, there's money to be made!
PISCES
(Feb. 19 to March 20)
Your enthusiasm for something will
sell your ideas to anybody. They say a
good product canjust sell itself.
YOU BORN TODAY People are
always aware of your presence. You're
practical and very down to earth. You're
also extremely hardworking and won-
derfully organized. Although you can
schmooze with the best of them, pri-
vately, you're a loner. You're quick to
take charge of anything, from a domestic
situation to a large organization. This
year something new and fresh will open
up for you.
Birthdate of: Yehudi Menuhin, violin-
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actor; Ryan Stiles, actor/comedian.
r i 1gan '$ PRESENTS
2009 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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