ONLAIU N EI ) X I TW N 1 IX\() tIlI"1)TW110IARS (F4ED IT A L IEEM1\ Ann Arbor, Michigan <-. _. ,.. _ .. .. fix.:. _l'S,. a-. '#'a.";: ?rya. r':;y w .. 1iyr ' _' .- ? * ..,. wF :rr. a _ .. ! .,... Friday, September 7, 2012 michigandaily.com Sr f E LECTION 2012 * * * Change takes time, Obama argues at DNC President accepts Democratic nomination, urges support By ANDREW SCHULMAN Daily StaffReporter Challenged by Republicans to prove that the country is better off now than it was four years ago, President Barack Obama offered a "better path forward" as he accepted the Democratic nomination for president Thurs- day night. In a speech that lasted about 40 minutes, Obama cast the presidential election as a deci- sion between two critically dif- ferent ideologies for how to tackle America's most challeng- ing issues. While acknowledging that progress has been sluggish, he promised that with more time vast change willbe made. "I won't pretend the path I'm offering is quick or easy," Obama See OBAMA, Page 3A TERESA MATHEW/Daily Stephen M. Ross (left) and Jeff Blau (right) speak during a question and,answer session at the Business School on Thursday. Candid Ross says he'll leave Related CEO post GOP groups pull Mich. ads Adds that 'U' alum Blau will succeed him in leading real estate firm By PETER SHAHIN Daily StaffReporter University alum Stephen M. Ross, the namesake of the Uni- versity's Ross School of Busi- ness, said in an event at the Business School on Thursday that he will step down next week as CEO of The Related Companies, the real estate firm he founded. He announced that the company's president Jeff Blau, also a University alum, will take over as CEO. Every one of the 499 seats was filled at Blau Auditorium, with students and guests spill- ing into three of the Business School's conference rooms, as Ross and Blau lounged in arm- chairs and fielded questions ranging from job prospects for business graduates to the state of the Miami Dolphins, the NFL team Ross owns. But, the surprise of the hour-long presentation came in a truly unscripted exchange between Ross and Blau over the future of Related's manage- ment, when Ross said he will leave his position as CEO and will be replaced by Blau. ' "I'll be the first to tell you that next week we're announc- ing he's the CEO and I'm just the. chairman -you'll read about that next week I'm sure," Ross said. "Just don't tell the press, with social media it's going to be all over the place." Both Blau and Ross declined to comment after the event when asked about the person- nel change. Representatives from Related did not respond to requests for comment. Ross didn't say *hy he is leaving his position, and it's unclear when an official See ROSS, Page 3A Super PACs supporting Romney move money to other states By ANDREW SCHULMAN Daily StaffReporter Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney and con-. servative groups backing him announced Thursday that they will not continue to run televi- sion campaign advertisements in the state of Michigan, The Detroit News reported. Though some experts say the decision could damage Romney's prospects in Michigan, it doesn't necessarily signify the campaign is ready to surrender the state, according to Michael Heaney, an assistant professor of political science. "I wouldn't say it's giving up Michigan," Heaney said "Iwould See ADS, Page 3A DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION Students among delegates GROOVIN' Clinton, Obama speeches among highlights for Dems in Charlotte By CHANNING ROBINSON Daily StaffReporter Several University students made the trek to Charlotte, N.C. this week to participate in the Democratic National Conven- tion and show their support for President Barack Obama and the Democratic Party. LSA sophomore Daniel Elkus attended the convention as a delegate from Michigan's 9th district. Elkus said he tries to be as politically involved as possible to represent the inter- ests of the campus groups he participates in, including the University's chapter of College Democrats, the American Civil Liberties Union, Hillel and the United Cerebral Palsy of Metro- politan Detroit. Of the numerous speakers, he said former President Bill Clinton - who gave a fervent. address urging Obama's re-elec- tion - and Bob King, president of United Auto Workers, were particularly impressive. "Bill Clinton gave an excel- lent speech about the future of the nation ... and showed it is impossible to gov- ern under licans," Elkus said. LSA junior Jacob Light also referenced Clinton's speech as one of the convention highlights. "Bill Clinton delivered an incredible speech that tore apart the Republican argument See DELEGATES, Page 3A CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY Google transition nears completion About half of 'U' students have migrated services By MOLLY BLOCK Daily StaffReporter As students settle into the new school year, the University is also getting acclimated to its new Google e-mail platform. The University's migration from Internet Message Access Protocol - its previous webmail program - to Google is almost complete, according to officials. By the end of September, all IMAP e-mail accounts will auto- matically change to M+Google, the University's personalized Google platform. The switch was pioneered by the University's NextGen Michi- gan Collaboration project, which was officially launched on March 5, giving the Ann Arbor campus access to more than 40 Google collaboration applications. According to Rita Girardi, senior marketing and communi- cations specialist for the Next- Gen program, M+Google differs from a standard Gmail account in its lack of advertising and its integration with existing Univer- sity tools such as MCommunity, See GOOGLE, Page 3A Students from the Groove Percussion and Performance group perform on the Diag during FestiFall on Thursday. .; .. .: x. ... t, ,.. WEATHER HI. 68 TOMORROW LO:51 GOT A NEWS TIP? NEW ON MICHIGANDAILY.COM Call 734-418-4115 or e-mail #michlinks news@michigandailycom and let us know. MICHIGANDAILY.COM/BLOGS/THE WIRE INDEX NEWS .......................2A CLASSIFIEDS.............6A Vol. CXXII, No. 4 OPINION .....................4A SPORTS.........:.........7A 02012TheMichiganDaily ARTS......A.................5A FOOTBALL SATURDAY..18 inichigandailccom < F - .: l Adz} tii } r; ' f v °? r s r w;t Y