michigandaily.com Ann Arbor, Michigan Thursday, September 10, 2015 CELEBRATING OUR ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Administrators say departments, units will guide strategic planning process By LARA MOEHLMAN Daily Staff Reporter University President Mark Schlissel hosted a second diversi- ty summit Wednesday afternoon in which he further outlined the University’s plans to improve equity and inclusion on campus. During the summit, the presi- dent emphasized the drive behind the planning process: “Dedication to academic excel- lence for the public good is insep- arable from our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” he said. “We cannot be excel- lent without being diverse in the broadest sense of that word.” The meeting was closed to the press, but was live streamed on the University’s website. Though a complete strate- gic plan has yet to be released, Schlissel detailed goals dur- ing Wednesday’s event to direct about 60 appointed facilitators within each college and campus unit to collaborate with faculty, staff and students to design their own programs for enhancing diversity within their units. These planning leaders will be responsible for overseeing the planning process within their specific areas as well as partici- pating in coordination with the overall campus diversity efforts. Schlissel emphasized that success in enhancing diversity largely depends on the collective efforts of each individual depart- ment rather than simply the cen- tral administration. “At this stage, we’re not seek- ing to define where we will end up or what success will necessar- ily look like,” he said. “We want to have a structure in place that will allow us to engage the great minds and passionate individuals on our campus and to move for- ward in a collaborative manner. President also announces $175 million grant for apprenticeships By EMILIE PLESSET Daily News Editor WARREN, Mich. — At the first stop of his administration’s nationwide Back-to-School tour Wednesday, President Barack Obama returned to Macomb Community College in Warren, Mich. to champion increased access to affordable education and vocational training. Traveling with Dr. Jill Biden, a community college professor and the wife of Vice President Joe Biden, the president discussed his administration’s efforts to expand funding for apprentice- ships and promote initiatives to make community college free. “I want two years of commu- nity college to be as free and uni- versal as high school is today,” Obama said. Before Obama began his 26-minute speech, Biden — who has taught at a community college for more than 20 years — touted the Obama administration’s focus on education, citing investment in early childhood education and efforts to increase the number of students graduating high school and attending college. During her speech, Biden announced she would serve as chair of the College Promise Advi- sory Board, a new independent commission composed of commu- nity college leaders, policymakers, businesses and foundations that will explore ways to expand exist- ing programs that provide free two-year college degrees. During his State of the Union address in January, Obama pro- posed a $60 billion program that POLITICS Roads, marjiana, higher ed. funding and LGBTQ rights to receive attention By EMMA KINERY Daily Staff Reporter The Michigan State Legis- lature reconvenes today after months away on hiatus for sum- mer break. After key propos- als — such as Proposal 1 to fix Michigan’s roads — failed to pass in the last session, here is a recap of issues to watch as the year unfolds. Roads While many Michigan resi- dents agree the state’s roads are in poor condition, legislators have yet to agree on how to fix them. The last session ended with 78 percent of voters defeating Pro- posal 1. The proposed bill would have increased the Earned Income Tax Credit, removed the fuel tax and increased the sales tax from 6 to 7 percent. Several road improvement proposals are already on the docket for introduction in both Michigan’s House of Repre- sentatives and Senate. Over the summer, legislators held several closed-door meetings to discuss potential plans to increase road funding. House Bill 4440 aims to create a distinct transportation fund in the state treasury where money will be allocated for road repairs. The proposed bill provides $2.5 million to go specifically toward annual road improvement with the percentage of funds to be divided based on the area’s popu- lation — 40 percent would go to communities with 1,000,000 to 1,749,999 residents, for exam- ple. HB 4611 similarly creates a transportation fund within the state treasury, but in this version, would be funded through special vehicle and fuel taxes. Rep. Jeff Irwin (D–Ann Arbor) said while he would like to see a roads bill pass, he doesn’t currently see one he supports. “I don’t think a good bill to fix the roads will pass, but I hope it does,” Irwin said. “I would vote for a balanced plan to fix our roads, coupled with rolling back the Republican tax increases on the working poor. But, I don’t see MICHIGAN IRENE KIM/Daily LSA freshman Michelle Shumonov takes a free Group X yoga class at the Central Campus Recreation Building on Wednesday. YES TO YOGA Students talk foreign affairs, negotiations as review period nears conclusion By ISOBEL FUTTER Daily Staff Reporter The Iran Deal has dominated conversation in Washington since it was negotiated this sum- mer, and many University stu- dents are joining in. Officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the Iran Deal was announced in late July by the Obama admin- istration. The JCPOA is a pro- posal designed to significantly decrease Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for reduced sanc- tions by the P5+1 countries — the United States, the United King- dom, China, France, Russia and Germany. If the deal goes into effect, Iran would be allowed to have a small amount of enriched ura- nium and materials. The permit- ted amount would not be large enough to create a nuclear bomb, according to experts. In return for reducing their nuclear sup- ply, Iran would receive sanctions relief. The deal has been lauded as a historic agreement by sup- porters. But for some University students, the deal hits close to home. Maryam Arbabzadeh, a Ph.D. candidate in Natural Resources and Environment, is an Ira- nian student and a member of University retains No. 4 spot among public universities By TANAZ AHMED Daily Staff Reporter The University ranked 29th in this year’s U.S. News and World Report survey of the country’s best colleges released Wednes- day, maintaining its spot from the 2015 rankings. The University also retained its public university ranking from the previous year, holding on to the fourth-place spot. The University of California, Berkeley, ranked as the num- ber-one public institution, with University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Vir- ginia ranked second and third, respectively. The Ross School of Business was rated the nation’s fourth- best undergraduate business school, maintaining its rank- ing from last year. The College of Engineering came in at sixth place for best undergraduate engineering programs, mov- ing up from last year’s seventh place. ACADEMICS President Barack Obama speaks alongside Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United States, at Macomb Community College in Warren, Michigan on Wednesday. Obama spoke about his plan to increase education in America by creating free and public acess to two years of community college. See DIVERSITY, Page 2A See OBAMA, Page 3A » INSIDE the b-side See IRAN, Page 2A See STATE, Page 3A SAM MOUSIGIAN/Daily LUNA ANNA ARCHEY/Daily LUNA ANNA ARCHEY/Daily Schlissel: Diversity plan slated for 2016 ADMINISTRATION Obama plugs community college during Mich. trip State legislature returns from summer hiatus Iran Deal generates debate on campus ahead of vote U.S. News ranks ‘U’ 29th best in nation INDEX Vol. CXXIV, No. 123 ©2015 The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com NEWS......................... 2A OPINION.....................4A SPORTS...................... 5A SUDOKU..................... 2A CL ASSIFIEDS...............6A B - S I D E . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 B NEW ON MICHIGANDAILY.COM Obama touts familiar message in Warren visit MICHIGANDAILY.COM/BLOGS GOT A NEWS TIP? Call 734-418-4115 or e-mail news@michigandaily.com and let us know. WEATHER TOMORROW HI: 65 LO: 49 A look at Detroit’s underground music scene