qw mw 7 lw v w The Michigan Daily - Thursday, May 30, 2002 - 3 Iowans say Coleman had challenging presidency By Jeremy Berkowitz Daily News Editor Members of the University of Iowa community discussed their views on President Mary Sue Coleman's tenure yesterday with the knowledge that Coleman had accepted the position of University of Michigan president. Many said she was a strong president who fought a continu- ous uphill battle with the state legislature's efforts to cut higher education funding. But others said she played the role of an understanding "weak" president, willing to listen to student groups yet sometimes reluctant to take action. "She just handled a lot of difficult situations really well" Iowa Student Body President senior Nick Herbold said, noting the school's financial problems. But he added, "I think that she likes to hear student opinions with fireside chats. I don't think that she receives activism very well." Members of the student body, faculty and administration agreed that Coleman faced many difficult obstacles over the last few years, as the university received less funding from the state. English Prof. Douglas Trevor said Coleman struggled with her efforts to keep tuition low while trying to avoid con- stant cuts in programs and faculty, as well as implementing extra fundraising. He added that throughout the "continuous revenue shortfalls;' Coleman remained dedicated to her cause. "I'd say she's deeply committed to affordable public educa- tion as opposed to the subtle privatization of public universities by cutting the budgets and requiring tuition increases to offset deficits;" Trevor said. Iowa Regent Clark Kelly (Charles City) said she per- formed wonderfully and fairly in all facets of her job including her fundraising efforts and "wonderful empathy with students." "I don't know if women can hack some of these things, but that sure wasn't the case with her," Kelly said. "Ann Arbor is going to be very lucky and we're going to be very unhappy." Coleman pushed during her time as president to improve diversity among the student body and faculty. But History Prof. Paul Greenough noted the difficulty in recruiting out-of- staters into a mostly white state. "It certainly is hard to persuade students to come from places like Detroit to Iowa City," Iowa graduate student and Students Against Sweatshops member Lauren Crosset said she felt the campus made efforts to recruit minority students, but did not use resources to help them when students came to campus. She said, for example, that Iowa recently made plans to tear down two cultural cen- ters that housed minority students and to place the students who lived in them into residence halls, hence taking away a part of their campus life. "(The University is) good on recruitment but real crappy on follow up," she said. Students of different organizations on campus had a range of feelings about Coleman's dealings with students. Crosset said while Coleman always listened and kept students updated, she was unwilling early in her tenure to negotiate with various student groups. Crosset pointed out an incident two years ago when repre- sentatives of SAS occupied President Coleman's office because of her reluctance to address their concerns about con- tracts the University held with companies that had numerous labor violations. After three days and only one concession made to students, five of the representatives were arrested and taken away. "All the decisions at the University came down to President Coleman at the end," Crosset said. But Crosset said Coleman's relations with SAS improved last year after she visited several Mexican factories with labor violations with the Workers Rights Consortium. Crosset added that a lot of work needs to be done in order for Coleman to act. "I wouldn't say she's a progressive president, but she's been more attuned to hearing what SAS has to say," Crosset said. "I think that in order to get her to make progressive steps ... you have to do a lot of behind the scenes work and coalition building." Herbold noted an increase in Iowa's actions to discourage alcohol use among students. He said Iowa imposed an alcohol ban in all fraternity houses five years ago after a pledge died from an alcohol overdose. Also, there has been a recent cam- paign to cut down on binge drinking. Starting in the fall, all students under 21 who get arrested for alcohol violations on campus will have letters sent home to their parents. Herbold said it was a decision by many University administrators, though Coleman had the final say. "She probably would have had power to stop it if she want- ed to;'he said. But Herbold and Crosset said one of Coleman's problems at Iowa are several administrators, particularly Vice President of Student Services Philip Jones. Crosset claims Jones is very "anti-student" and has had much say over Coleman in policies regarding students. "She's a good politician, but she's not someone who's going to go out on her own and make a strong statement. In (those) terms, I think you can describe her as weak," Crosset said. "I will be really interested to see how she functions in Ann Arbor with a more progressive and activist campus." Overall, students, groups have great expectations for Coleman's arrival By Jennifer Misthal Daily Staff Reporter The news of University of Iowa president Mary Sue Coleman's surprise election to the University of Michigan presidency gave student groups a chance to think about their future collaboration with the admin- istration. Michigan Student Assembly President Sarah Boot said she looks forward to working with Coleman. Boot attended yesterday's press conference and said that Coleman appeared smart, energetic and warm during her speech. "Her credentials seem to fall in line really well with the University," Boot said. "She has a Ph.D. in biochemistry which I think will be really helpful with the Life Sciences Initiative." The regents' choice also received support from the Greek community on campus. Joel Winston, president of the Interfraternity Council, said the Presidential Search Advisory Committee was a competent group that chose the best available can- didate. "From everything I've come to learn about (Cole- man), she's an excellent choice," Winston said. While Iowa's fraternities do not allow alcohol at parties, Winston does not anticipate any conflict between the Greek community and Coleman's administration. "Alcohol-free was an initiative undertaken by the Greek community at the University of Iowa after an alcohol related death of a Greek student," Winston said. "She understands the Greek community is vital part of undergraduate experience. We have similar policies to Iowa, but not to the extent of being dry. We try to do everything we can to make social events as safe as possible;' Winston added. Students were not expecting the University's 13th president to be a female and were surprised by Cole- man's election. Boot said she expects Coleman will serve as a role model for female students. "I think it's really exciting we finally have a woman president," Boot said. "I think it sends a mes- sage that the University takes diversity seriously at all levels.? Coleman gained popularity at Iowa from her monthly forums and weekly radio talks. Both Winston and Boot said they consider open- ness a necessary quality in a University president. "It's excellent for students. It shows something about the president we bring in," Winston said. Winston also said interim President B. Joseph White took the time to talk to students as well, using direct input from students to help shape the future of the University. Boot said she thinks Coleman's work on diversity task forces and as a member of the National Colle- giate Athletic Association is also good preparation for her presidency at the University. "It's comforting to know she's already been presi- dent of a Big Ten school" Boot said. "She can improve herself as president here." Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality Coleman's feel Coleman's experience at Iowa is an asset too. "From what I understand, the University of Iowa dealt very similarly with labor standards in the colle- giate apparel industry as the University of Michigan has;" SOLE steering committee member Jackie Bray said. Bray said she hopes Coleman will work to improve administrative relationships with student organizations. "President Coleman is going to have to understand that the University of Michigan is a leader in the anti-sweatshop movement and students will not toler- ate anything less from this new administration," Bray said. "At one time this year, five sets of workers were working without contracts and we fully expect Presi- dent Coleman to ensure that doesn't happen again." With the departure of White, Coleman's presiden- cy will mark a new era for the University. "It's sad to see (White) go but I'm excited to work with Coleman. I would say it's bittersweet," Boot said. FILE PHOTO Interim University President B. Joseph White looks out the window In his office in the Fleming Administration Building while students in the Graduate Employees Organization and Students Organizing for Labor and Economic Equality hold a demonstration in support of the GEO during contract negotiations this spring. Sushi Bar - Japanese Authentic Cuisine Grand Opening New English Karaoke Bar Lounge FreKaraoke, Fre Cocktails and Beer Half Price 1O:OOPM - 2:OOAM Every Day Phone (734) 663-3111 The office of Student Activities and Leadership primarily provides leadership education pro- grams and student organization support and services. For more information and dates on all our services website: and programs listed, please visit our www.umich.edu/~salead Leadership Education Beyond the Classroom Walls Leadership Connection AMPLIFY Intercultural Leadership Seminar Michigan LeaderShape Michigan leadership Awards Tejiendo Lazos-Weaving Connections Ujima Student Organization Support C) For an onlinf guide to finding the right student organizatior for you on campus, please visit l~ls n s dtaC Organization Workshops DIAG Scheduling 1 a+. I