Monday, August 13, 2012 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Study recognizes 'U' as a great place to work Monday, August 13, 2012 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 11. Chronicle Editor: purpose of list is to understand college work atmosphere By KATIE BURKE Daily Staff Reporter There is more to a school than its students, and the University proved this week that it continues to have a strong focus on its own workforce. The University was recognized last Monday in the Chronicle of Higher Education's 2012 Great Colleges to Work For list, appear- ing on the publication's Honor Roll and recognized in nine of the 12 workplace categories. Laurita Thomas, the Univer- sity's associate vice president for human resources, wrote in an e-mail to The Michigan Daily that creating a strong environment for faculty is an area of major impor- tance to the University and added that the opinions of its staff are given attention. "We take pride in building a workplace that fosters collabo- ration, a strong sense of job sat- isfaction and proper work/life balance," Thomas wrote. "We know from talking with faculty and staff that our overall envi- ronment and benefits package has made a real difference in recruit- ment and retention." The Chronicle's study has been published annually for five years, and the University has been named on its list each year. This year, the University was listed in categories that include compensation and benefits, job satisfaction and teaching envi- ronment. The University did not appear in the categories for diversity, professional/career-development programs and supervisor or department-chair relationship. Thomas wrote that the specific nature of the categories the Uni- versity was not listed under gives the University an idea of areas that require attention. "The Great Colleges to Work For recognition helps us know our strengths and what areas we could explore to improve," Thom- as wrote. Chronicle Editor Liz McMillen said the publication worked with the consulting firm ModernThink LLC to conduct a survey among employees of large four-year institutions. The final compila- tion is not a ranking, but shows the schools with the most positive responses. McMillen said the list began as a way to better grasp the type of working environment colleges can provide. "We're trying to understand the academic workplace and what some of the main features are according to the employees that work there," McMillen said. McMillen said the reaction from the academic community to the list in past years has generally been positive. "(The list) is based on a survey, a representative sample of people from a particular institution," McMillen said. "And I'm sure there's always somebody who might disagree, but in general institutions like the recognition." Richard Boyer, principal and managing partner of Modern- Think, said in a University press release that the merit of an insti- tution's working environment is tried in a slow economy, and the listed schools have demonstrated durability in that area. "It's easier to be .a great work- place during good times, but it's when times are tough that com- mitment to workplace quality really gets tested," Boyer said in the release. "Those institutions that measure, up during times of economic hardship reinforce their already strong cultures." 420 Haynsedat. AnArbor, HI 48109-1327 www.michigandaily.com JACOB AXEIRAD MERYLKHULTENG Editor in Chief Business Manager CONTACT INFORMATION Newsroom s of.iceham 734-73-2454sopti NewsTips news mfcigandaity.com Corrections correctionsmigigandaily.com letters to the Editor tted ymicigndaiyco Photo Department photo michigandaiycom ArtsSecton me ichgand'"iyco SEorts ect ion speors@micigandilycomn Advertising Ph e:734-7s6a-05 Department ispay@mfesienandaiy.com Classifieds Phone 734.764-0557 Department cassized@michigandaily.com Bottom atop newly combined swimming programs Programs combine with plans to make investment in Canham Natatorium By COLLEEN THOMAS Daily Sports Editor After longtime women's swim- ming and diving coach Jim Rich- ardson announced his retirement in May, Michigan athletic director Dave Brandon had a tough task to find Richardson's replacement. But on Friday, Brandon found his replacement. Men's swimming and div- ing coach Mike Bottom was announced as the new head coach of the women's program, an announcement that effectively combines the men's and the wom- en's programs under Bottom. "I can think of no better per- son to lead our swimming and diving programs than Mike Bot- tom," Brandon said in a statement released by the athletic depart- ment on Friday. "Mike brings a wealth of experience at the colle- giate, international and Olympic level. He has led our men's pro- gram to a championship level and will work to return our women's program to that same level. Our aquatic programs have a rich his- tory and tradition at all levels and high expectations will continue under Mike's leadership. "This announcement is the beginning of a substantial com- mitment to our swimming and diving programs," Brandon added. "We plan to make a .significant investment at Canham Natato- rium in the near future. It's the right time to combine our pro- grams and to utilize Mike's talents for the benefit of Michigan Swim- ming and Diving." Bottom led the men's program to the Big Ten team title last year, and has coached many Michi- gan Olympians, including Tyler. Clary - who won the men's.200m backstroke in London- and Con- nor Jaeger - who will return to Michigan for his junior year after placingf6th in the 1,500m freestyle in London. Bottom is also the three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year on the men's side in addition to coaching the Serbian National swim team in London for the 2012 Olympic Games. "I can think of no better person ... than Mike Bottom." His accolades, both on a col- legiate and international level, include coaching Olympic medal- ists and 19 swimmers to national titles. "This is really a great opportu- nity and advantage for both of our programs and the student-athletes should be the ultimate beneficia- ry," Bottom said in the statement. "We will have the opportunity to add excellent coaches to our cur- rent staff. We can combine the administrative work that has been done by both the men's and wom- en's staffs and allow the coaches to focus more on the training, coaching and mentoring of the student-athletes. The future looks bright for the men and women associated with Michigan Swim- ming and Diving." And after coaching the men's team at Michigan - a position he has held for four seasons - he will be the new face of the entire Wolverine swimming and diving program. EDITORIAL STAFF GiacominBologna gboloknaemichigndaily.com ManagingEditor TWITTER From Page 1A in May 2012, at the beginning of the study. In approximately three months' time, the researchers purchased some 20,000 to 70,000 "followers" for each of the three accounts. Researchers found that followers could be bought from sites as com- monly used as eBaycom. The study cites that the fake followers were bought from 20 different eBay sell- ers and 58 websites of 100 results returned from a Google search of "buytwitter followers." From the study's data, research- ers calculated that the average Affordable Student Co-op Housing 2. 4 and 8 Month Contracts on North and Central Campus All utilities, High-speed Internet Homemade Meals Shared Work, Shared Fun Leadership opportunities 44 Single/Double rooms ~ Parking available WWW.ICC.COOP (P)INFO@ICC.COOP The Inter-Cooperative Council 337 E. William St., Ann Arbor, Ml 48104 Phone: (734) 662-4414 (ext.100) price for 1,000 "followers" is approximately $18. With only a Twitter user- name required to purchase phony accounts, and considering that "dealers" - as Barracuda refers to the sellers of bogus followers - can control as many as 150,000 accounts, it is easy to see how this business is a growing one. The report also examined a recent and oddly large spike in the number of followers of Rom- ney's Twitter account, @Mit- tRomney. In a single day, July 21, 2012, the number of Romney's followers increased from 673,002 to 789,924 - an increase of 116,922 followers or approximately 17 percent in one day. 140elect.com, a website that provides metrics of tweets rel- evant to the 2012 election, reports that in the month prior to the spike, Romney gained an average of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 followers per day. Barracuda Labs analyzed 152,966 of Romney's followers that began following between July 21-26. The analysis high- lighted that 25 percent of the examined followers were less than three weeks old and 80 per- cent were less than three months old. The study also concluded that almost one quarter of the same followers had no tweets at all and that Twitter had suspended 10 percent of the accounts. Jason Ding, the report's author, said the research team has reason to believe that most of Romney's recent followers are "not from a general Twitter population," and most likely resulted from a paid Twitter service. Because authentication is not necessary to purchase Twitter accounts, Ding also cautioned that it isn't possible for the researchers to identify the exact source of the followers with the information they were provided. - "It is possible for anyone to buy followers for other Twitter users," Ding remarked. "So far, there is not a feasible way to confirm who is responsible." The report noted that it's also unclear as to whether Romney's supporters, his rivals or Romney himself have paid for some of his Twitter account's latest follow- ers. Zac Moffatt, the digital direc- tor for Romney's campaign, has "rejected accusations" that the campaign was purchasing follow- ers for Romney's Twitter account, according to BuzzFeed.com. CORRECTIONS: " Please report any error in the Daily to corrections@ michigandaily.com. Kendra Furry copydeskmichigadaly.com opyC chief Anna Rozenberg sMaagngNesEdiator annaroze3.,ichiandiy.co., Adrienne Rsberts Editoilieage Eitor adrirobe@michigadaily.com, Sarah Skaluba, Micae aet tole Thomas MnagingseportssEitor colom,@'ichigandaily ci,,. ArSnaassaya MaaigCrtsEditor asad oihgndaicom ~i i Terra Molengraff 5ManagingiPhoo Eitor photo,9michigandaily.com, Alicia Kosalchecd Mnaging DeignEdiitor design@michiandaily.com. A2 Council denies parkland amendment As University of Michigan A/umni, We've been supporting the- Members rejoined Some feared that Fuller Park Advisory Commission deliberated UM Community since 1939.. land could be leased as part of on whether or not to recommend after primary to the new train station - prospec- the ballot iniative. The commission tively on Fuller Road - that Coun- unanimously decided to recom- hold usual meeting cil accepted federal funding to mend its opposition. ByAppointment research in June, according to the Though the resolution was spon- 3041/2 S. STATE ST. By STEVE ZOSKI Chronicle. sored by Mike Anglin (D-Ward 5), AboveBens &Jerry's Daily News Editor In reference to the alleged Jane Lumm (I=Ward 2) and Sabra 734 668 9329 "loophole," Christopher Taylor Briere (D-Ward 1), Briere intro- At Thursday night's City Coun- (D-Ward 3) said the resolution had duced a more specific amendment cil meeting - which occurred on "unintended" but "likely unknow- to the resolution approvingthebal- WWWDASCOLABARBERS.COM a Thursday, rather than a Monday able consequences" and added that lot proposal. Briere's amendment WALK-INS WELCOME! due to last Tuesday's primary elec- voters had already decided they was also supported by Stephen tion - campaigning was set aside didn't need the extra lease clause. Kunselman (D-Ward 3).*. and several issues were discussed, "Aside from the fact that the Later in the meeting, Briere despite the potential post-election word 'sale' could not be more plain, didn't vote for the resolution she awkwardness such as Tony Derez- and that voters are presuming to sponsored. Rather, Anglin, Lumm, inski (D-Ward 2) - who lost Tues- regret the ballot measures that Kunselman and Marcia Higgins day - sitting next to Jane Lumm they passed, I learned yesterday at (D-Ward 4) voted in favor of it, (I-Ward 2) - who endorsed his the (Park Advisory Commission's) only to see the resolution rejected. 7 9 4 6 3 opponent. meeting that Council specifically Mayor John Hieftje said he Much of the meeting's discussion removed the word 'lease' from the couldn't support the ballot -ini- 8 6 focused on the approval of a resolu- ballot measure that went before tiative, adding that the public tion that would have puta question voters in 2008," Taylor said. expressed that they like the Fuller 3 2 on the November ballot asking Ann Taylor added that he thought Road Station idea. Hieftje said Arbor voters whether or not they people were wrong to claim they Fuller can always be its own ballot would like to change how parkland had always intended there to be a proposal, rather than having to fix 1 4 7 in the city is protected. lease clause in the 2008 legislation. the "loophole." The ballot initiative, if approved "In light of this specific and "I have no doubt that if the tim- by voters, intended to make it so no intentional deletion of 'lease' from ing is right, that if that's taken to parkland could be sold or leased for the 2008 ballot language, the con- the voters, if it's a fully developed any long-term, non-recreational tinued assertion that 'lease' was proposal ... that the voters will use, without voter approval. part of the initiative's intent is ... approve that," Hieftje said. In2008,AnnArborvoterspassed demonstrably false," Taylor said. Additionally at the meeting, 6 a similar initiative by an 81-percent "It may be a good idea, this may be Council approved a resolution to 19-percent margin, which speci- a bad idea, but to suggest that oppo- to designate the property at 317 fied that parkland could not be sold sition to the proposal contrary to Maynard Street as an Ann Arbor withoutvoter approval. the demonstrated will of the peo- Industiral Development District. 5 .9 6 8 2,4 According to the Ann Arbor ple as evidenced by the 2008 reso- This designation allows for the Chronicle, because the word lotion is, I believe, patently false." location's likely tenant, Baracudda "lease" was not specified in the Discussion of the issue had been Networks, to begin a process of E 2008 amendment, some Ann Arbor delayed from a July 16 City Council qualifying for reduced taxes by the residents said a "loophole" existed. meeting. On Aug. 8, the city's Park's city. BUSINESSSTAFF BrettBergy SalesManager Joe Crim Classifed'sAccount Eecutive Connor Byrd Finance Manager The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during he fall and ainie terns hy students at the Uiversiiy nf Michigan. One copyyis availahie free of charge to all readers. Additional copies may be picked up at the Daily's office for $2. Suhscripiions fun tall ten, staniing SSeptember, siaU.S. mail are $ s10. Winter term January through April is $115, yearlong (September through April) is $195. University affiliates aresubject toa reduced subscription rate. 0n-cabpsi bsciytions for fall ene are $35. Suhscriytions nusi he yrepaid. The Michigan Daily is a member of The/Associated Press and The Associated Collegiate Press.