,,, -Ili7tc4tgan 4:)at IV a r a I x { t . Ann Arbor, Michigan Tuesday, January 24, 2012 michigandaily.com Campus reacts to visit from president Students express excitement for speech later this week By ADAM RUBENFIRE Daily News Editor Following yesterday's announcement that President Barack Obama will be speaking at the University this Friday, campus leaders and students on both sides of the aisle expressed excitement for the upcoming visit from the nation's leader. Though Obama is expected to discuss college affordability in his speech, stu- dents said they hope he also discusses ongoing issues pertaining to job growth and rebuilding the economy in Michigan - topics particularly important to students getting ready to enter the workforce. Anton Dirnberger, chair of the Univer- sity's chapter of College Republicans, said though he disagrees with Obama's views on several issues, he respects the "office of the presidency." "I think as a Wolverine, that's great to have the President - no matter what party he is a part of - come to campus," Dirn- berger said. However, Dirnberger expressed frus- tration that Obama is attempting to garner electoral support amid economic difficul- ties that continue to afflict the nation, add- ing that he anticipates that the president will be more focused on campaigning in his speech than discussing impactful pol- icy. "It's pretty much a campaign speech - we all know that," Dirnberger said. "I wish, and I think a lot of people do, that he would spend more time trying to work out some ideal situations to get some Ameri- cans back to work." See CAMPUS, Page 5 Obama to speak at 'U' on Friday President to discuss student loan reform, education policy By BETHANY BIRON and JOSEPH LICHTERMAN ManagingNews Editor and Editor in Chief White House officials announced yester- day afternoon that President Barack Obama will speak on campus this Friday, following his State of the Union Address tonight, as a part ofaseries ofspeakingevents across the country. Obama will deliver his remarks at the Al Glick Field House, the Michigan football team's indoor practice facility, and he will speak about college affordability, the Asso- ciated Press reported. The president is scheduled to travel to Iowa, Arizona, Nevada and Colorado tomorrow and Thursday before arriving in Michigan on Thursday evening, where he'll spend the night before coming to campus Friday morning. Scheduled to start at 9:35 a.m. on Friday, the event will be free and open to the public. Tickets will be available starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the Michigan Union Ticket Office. Tickets will be given out on a first come, first serve basis with a limit of one ticket per person. Friday's speech will mark the president's second visit to the University since taking office. Obama delivered the Spring Com- mencement address at Michigan Stadium in May 2010. University President Mary Sue Coleman See OBAMA, Page 5 President Barack Obama during his Spring Commencement address at Michigan Stadium on May 1, 2010. COOL RESUME, DUDE ANN ARBOR CITY COUNCIL Vote on AATA city expansion postponed Council passes resolution in support of immigration rights By STEVE ZOSKI Daily StaffReporter Representatives from the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority joined residents of Ann Arbor and other neighboring cit- ies at last night's Ann Arbor City Council meeting to continue the ongoing discus- sion on plans for a new countywide public transportation authority. Council revived discussion of the authority after postponing a vote at its meeting last week. During yesterday's meeting, members once again decided to table a decision on the.transportation item until the next meeting on Feb. 6, before passing a resolution in opposition See AATA, Page 5 SENATE ASSEMBLY Coleman shares future plans At meeting, officials discuss financial, academic outlook By AARON GUGGENHEIM Daily StaffReporter At yesterday's Senate Advisory Com- mittee on University Affairs meeting, University President Mary Sue Coleman addressed how the University plans to remain attractive to prospective and cur- rent students in the future. In addition to discussing how to main- tain the University as a top competitor among other public institutions, Provost Philip Hanlon and Coleman spoke to the University's lead faculty governing body about the University's financial outlook and lauded the necessity of seeking out- side funding sources. See COLEMAN, Page 2 AUSTEN HUFFORD/Daily Engineering senior Nick Thompson helps fellow Engineering students on their resumes at a workshop at the Duderstadt Center yesterday. WEATHER H1: 35 TOMORROW LO: 30 GOT A NEWS TIP? NEW ON MICHIGANDALY.COM Call 734-418-4115 or e-mail UMHS ranks top 100 in national list news@michigandaily.com and let us know. MICHIGANDAILY.COM/BLOGS/TH E WIRE INDEX NEW S....................... .2 CLASSIFIEDS.................6 Vol. CXXII, No. 79 OPINION .....................4 ARTS.. . . .........7 (Q2yiThe Michigan Daily SODOKU.......................5 SPORTS................. ..8 michiyondaily.com A