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Friday, February 17, 2017 — 3
the field.
Pamela Heatlie, the deputy
Title IX coordinator in the
Office
for
Institutional
Equity, said much of her
work at the OIE is aimed at
improving the 3.6 percent
sexual assault reporting rate,
including updating the sexual
misconduct policy in July to
include expanded definitions
and
scope
of
acceptable
conduct.
She
emphasized
this
process
was
centered
on
giving
students
choices
and control with how they
proceed.
“For the most part, we
want claimants to feel a sense
of control in what can feel
like a very uncontrollable
situation,” she said.
She
discussed
whether
sexual
assault
should
be
handled
internally
at
all,
as
this
can
compromise
investigations. She elaborated
that civil rights laws, in
particular Title IX guidance,
require the school to provide
services to investigate sexual
discrimination,
including
sexual assault.
Holly Rider-Milkovich, the
former director of the Sexual
Assault
Prevention
and
Awareness Center, attempted
to dispel what she felt was a
fallacy in the way campuses
dealt with sexual assault.
“Oftentimes, when I am
talking
about
this
issue
on campus, there is a false
dichotomy that is struck,”
she said. “That we can either
focus on prevention, or we
can focus on compliance,
and I really encourage us
as
a
community
and
us
nationally to stop dividing
these two pieces, that we
can both do excellent work
in compliance, and excellent
work in prevention. And I
would argue that the best
way to achieving compliance
is to do our very best work in
prevention.”
She used the University
as an example of a school
that has a robust system for
dealing with sexual assault,
and to her, the first step in
creating this kind of system is
a focus on long-term funding.
Rider-Milkovich discussed
how
the
University’s
program has evolved over
the past 25 years, beginning
with
an
initial
focus
on
preventing
sexual
assault
and
its
consequences.
While this was considered a
standard industry practice
for the time, she detailed
how
the
University
has
since spearheaded a more
comprehensive approach. This
approach emphasizes what
healthy sexuality looks like
and mandates participation
in healthy sexuality events
for all incoming students.
With these steps, she also
referenced
the
desire
to
increase student reporting of
crimes, as well as the hope
for a decrease in overall
incidents.
Public Policy senior Emma
Zorfass, who has volunteered
with
SAPAC
throughout
her
entire
college
career,
underscored the need for
more education.
“We want to start talking
more explicitly about the
connection between sexual
violence
and
other
forms
of violence,” Zorfass said.
“Sexism, racism, xenophobia,
etc., they all happen in the
same
space
and
they’re
interconnected, so it makes
sense to talk about them all
together.”
This focus has increased
outreach
between
student
organizations and facilitated
dialogue about increases in
violence as well. Dialogue
between
SAPAC
and
student groups is something
Zorfass feels can help reach
more students on campus
throughout
their
college
careers.
SPEAKERS
From Page 1
— helping facilitate a program to
improve the city’s low-income
public housing. He acknowledged,
however, that there is still progress
to be made in those areas, which
is what motivated him to run for
re-election.
“We have a roads plan, but
many streets remain dangerous for
pedestrians and cyclists,” the press
release read. “We have rehabbed
our public housing system, but
we have done little to build new
workforce housing — housing for
our teachers, retirees, restaurant
workers, and young professionals.”
Recently, many residents have
expressed frustration with the city’s
lackluster progress on pedestrian
safety after a local high school
student was killed while crossing
the street on his way to school.
In a February meeting of City
Council,
Ackerman
supported
a resolution to review President
Donald
Trump’s
executive
order ceasing federal grants for
“sanctuary jurisdictions,” while
expressing concerns about the
future of public housing.
“We need to be wary of slashes
to federal funding, and I’ll only
say, to me, that comes in the form
of federal funding to our Section
8 programs,” he said. “These are
programs in the city that distribute
up to 1,300 vouchers for housing to
those who otherwise may be living
on the streets.”
CITY
From Page 1
out, except if you’re targeting
Jewish students at the University
of
Michigan,”
Greenstein
said. “In that case, the record
is clear that the University
administration
will
remain
silent and take no action.”
In response to Greenstein’s
comments, Schlissel reiterated
previous statements denouncing
both racism and anti-Semitism
as unacceptable on campus.
“Bigotry
of
any
kind
is
unacceptable in our community
and I’ve said so countless times,”
Schlissel said. “Bigotry includes
bigotry on the basis of race,
ethnicity and on religion. Anti-
Semitism is not tolerated here or
elsewhere and should not be.”
Despite
these
remarks,
community speakers continued
to step up reaffirm the previous
statements.
University
alum
Sheldon Freilich outlined four
steps he said the University
should take to reverse “double
standards” when responding to
anti-Semitism.
“Concrete steps that this
University should take include
the following four,” he said.
“Disciplinary
measures
for
those
who
commit
anti-
Semitic bigotry, publicly and
forcefully
labeling
incidents
that are explicitly anti-Semitic
…
educating
teachers
and
students about the dangers of
anti-Semitism … and informing
all students of the school’s
procedures and policies when
seeking redress for incidents of
discrimination and harassment.”
In his address to the board
earlier in the meeting, LSA
senior David Schafer, president
of Central Student Government,
said students on campus who
were not affected by recent
attacks contribute to an attitude
of apathy.
“This is something that we
can and must address in some
form or another if we hope
to empower more students to
become allies,” he said. “An
offense against any member of
the Michigan community is an
offense against all. When one
student or one community is
made to feel unsafe … that must
matter to all of us, even if it’s not
someone that we know.”
The executive board of the
Black Student Union attended
the event, wearing all black in
solidarity. LSA sophomore Jesse
Love, political actions chair of
the Black Student Union, said
the University’s response was
inadequate
and
measurable
action must be taken.
“We want to the University
to know, although we couldn’t
get a speaking time, that
our
presence
is
definitely
something that’s going to be
felt and that this is an issue that
we have with the University,”
he said. “Obviously it’s not
every day that we come to
Regents meetings, but we felt
it was specifically necessary
that we come to this meeting
so that they can see that their
inaction did not go unnoticed.”
Recreation
Facility
Changes
The
Regents
approved
$21 million in renovations
to
the
Bennie
Oosterbaan
Field House, among other
construction
plans.
The
project consists of building
a
32,000-square-foot
performance
center
within
the
fieldhouse
for
use
by
the
football
program.
Additionally, the plan calls
for
a
5,000-square-foot
mezzanine level to be created.
Other
renovations,
such
as
upgrading
heating
and
ventilation, will also be made
to address safety concerns.
Prior to the plan’s approval,
Business junior Nate Fisher,
president of the men’s club
rugby team, asked the Regents
to delay the project. Fisher
spoke on behalf of the 31 club
sports teams at the University,
citing that almost a third of
these teams utilize Oosterbaan
for practice and competition.
The construction, he said,
would hurt their programs.
“The
reduction
of
Oosterbaan translates to fewer
hours of practice to refine
skills, fewer scrimmages to
prepare
against
opponents,
fewer games and less time to
become a team that is capable
of
upholding
the
prestige
expected of students at the
University,” he said.
Fisher
noted
club
sports
allow
students
to
gain
leadership
skills
and
interact
with
alumni
and
administration.
He
cited
that in recent years, teams
that practice in Oosterbaan
have
attended
National
Championships 25 times and
won five titles.
“Oosterbaan is very valuable
due to its size and indoor
benefits,” he said. “Seven out of
the nine teams require a space
the same size as Oosterbaan
with
a
similar
ceiling
height
to
play
sanctioned
games, and together we play
approximately
35
games.
The renovated indoor track
building that (the University
Athletic
Department)
described will not meet these
league standards or have the
additional run-off room on the
sidelines for safety.”
Among other things, Fisher
noted that, if the capacity
of Oosterbaan is reduced, as
suggested by the proposal,
only one team could practice
safety at a time.
Administrative
Appointments
The Regents made two major
administrative
appointments
Thursday afternoon.
Kallie
Bila
Michels
was
appointed
full-time
vice
president for communications.
After serving as associate vice
president for communications
since 2008, Michels will take on
the role of chief communications
officer,
working
with
the
Board of Regents and other
executive officers to organize
communications and marketing-
related initiatives. She will also
oversee the University’s social
media outlets.
The action request signed
by Schlissel said Michels will
be responsible for enhancing
the university’s reputation and
visibility locally, nationally, and
internationally. It will also work
to position and differentiate
the University among leading
institutions of higher education.
The
board
also
confirmed
Elizabeth B. Moje as dean of the
School of Education. Moje is
currently serving as interim dean
and teaches classes in secondary
and adolescent literacy, cultural
theory and research methods. Her
research focuses on youth literacy
in Detroit, specifically addressing
the intersection of disciplinary
literacies of school and literacy in
and out of school.
The action request signed by
Interim Provost Paul Courant,
in his first official appearance
before the board as interim
provost, says Moje’s “enthusiasm
and dedication” to the School of
Education is evident in all her
work.
Michels assumes her position on
Feb. 17, while Moje’s appointment
takes effect on March 1.
REGENTS
From Page 1
said. “It’s about investing in
Michigan’s future to create
jobs.”
At the State of State address
in
January,
Snyder
made
infrastructure improvements a
main pillar of his speech.
“Michigan residents deserve
safe,
reliable,
sustainable
infrastructure,” Snyder said.
“We need to invest more, we
need to literally invest billions
of dollars of new investment
over the next several decades.”
Including 6 percent sales
tax and excluding the federal
gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon,
Michigan’s combined tax rate
will total about 37.8 cents per
gallon, the fifth highest in the
nation
after
Pennsylvania,
Washington
state,
Hawaii
and New York. Federal tax
revenue will not go toward
infrastructure repairs.
This increased cost will place
a significant burden on drivers,
especially student drivers, such
as LSA freshman Catharine
Greenberg.
Greenberg,
a
resident
of
Vermont,
said,
though
her
state’s harsh weather should
yield
similar
damage
to
its
infrastructure
system,
Michigan’s roads are in far
worse condition.
“My first time driving in
Michigan, it was very obvious
that
the
roads
weren’t
as
comfortable
to
drive
on,”
Greenberg said.
Though most of Greenberg’s
driving is done in Vermont, she
has a car on campus, which
she said is becoming more
expensive than she expected.
“My car doesn’t get great
gas mileage,” Greenberg said.
“For a college student trying to
scrape things together, that’s
going to cost me about four
dollars extra each time I fill
up my tank, which is a really
significant amount.”
Despite
this
relatively
large change in gas prices,
Sam
Beydaun,
manager
of
University Fuel Mart on Main
Street, said he has not seen any
changes in demand for gasoline
at his station.
“The price of gas changes
so much on its own that I
don’t think people paid much
attention to the 7 cent increase,”
Beydaun said. “It seems like
just another fluctuation.”
Many
Michigan
residents
have stressed the urgency with
which
infrastructure
needs
to be repaired. The package,
which was announced in 2015
and included taxes that did
not take effect until 2017, does
not allow revenue to go toward
roads until fiscal year 2019. The
full dedication of revenue to
roads will not be available until
fiscal year 2021.
The $455 million in expected
tax revenue actually replaces
the
$400
million
allocated
by the state’s general fund
to go toward infrastructure
improvements in the 2015-2016
fiscal year. The $400 million
amount was not in the current
fiscal year budget.
In addition to the increased
gas tax, annual registration
fees for cars, vans, light trucks
and commercial trucks will
rise 20 percent. Prior to the
increase, the average annual
fee was $120. With the 20
percent increase in place, an
additional $24 will be charged,
making the total fee $144. Gas-
electric hybrid vehicles will
experience an average increase
of $47, and electric vehicles will
experience an average increase
of $135.
Democrats have expressed
concern that with such large
sums of money coming out of
the state’s budget to fund the
parts of the project not covered
by tax revenue, less money
will be available for issues like
health care and education.
State
Rep.
Yousef
Rabhi
(D–Ann Arbor) said taking
money from the general fund
was a reckless decision that
will not solve Michigan’s roads
problems.
“We
should
never
have
touched the state’s general
fund,”
Rabhi
said.
“It
is
just
fiscally
irresponsible,
especially since 1.2 million isn’t
even enough to fix our roads.
We are looking at cutting 600
million from our budget, and it’s
a year after year expenditure.”
No
conversations
have
taken place to discuss what
programs could potentially lose
funding, despite the inevitable
losses. Rabhi speculated this
conversation is not taking place
because supporters of the tax
are trying to avoid a public
relations “nightmare.”
“It’s just another example of
the government being treated
like an ATM,” Rabhi said.
Rabhi agreed that fixing
Michigan’s roads is a critical
issue that needs to be addressed.
However, he said he does not
think the state has addressed it
efficiently and fairly.
“The thing that I am cautious
about it that it is a regressive
tax,” Rabhi said. “People with
lower
incomes
pay
higher
percentages of their income
because of it. I think an ad
valorem tax would make it
more fair.”
Though the increases are
significant, Beydaun said, when
boiled down, the issue at hand
is simple and uncontroversial.
“The
revenue
is
going
towards a good cause,” Beydaun
said. “I don’t think anyone has a
problem with it. We need to fix
the roads.”
State Rep. Kevin Cotter (R–
Mount Pleasant), who orginially
aided in manufacturing the
intrastructure funding plan,
did not respond to request for
comment.
TAX
From Page 1
It’s about
investing in
Michigan’s future
to create jobs
then build on one’s own knowledge
to help others.
“We have to get quiet enough to
hear where the cries for healing are
coming from,” McCoy said. “What
can I use to speak from my tradition
to be able to answer the call?”
The event was the first in a series
of three, aimed to build coalitions
between the organizations and
identity groups on campus in
order to bring about joint civic
engagement, according to LSA
senior Zara Melitts, a member of
Hillel.
McCoy also led a communication
and relationship building activity
her organization uses to guide
attendees
in
the
process
of
addressing grievances across lines
of disagreement and identity.
LSA sophomore Vivian Obia
described how the activity helped
her work through experiences
she had in confronting peers who
had voted for President Donald
Trump.
“Even while you’re dealing
with (situations like that), you
still have to find peace within
yourself in some type of way,”
Obia said. “At the end of the day,
even if we do disagree on things,
I still know who I am as a person,
and this has honestly allowed me
to love myself even more even
with all that’s going on.”
LSA senior Micah Griggs,
vice
president
of
Central
Student Government, said she
appreciated
McCoy’s
words
and acknowledged her ability to
put current political climate in
perspective.
“(McCoy) really put things
in perspective, that we need to
acknowledge and appreciate how
people feel, and give ourselves
space and support when things
like this happen on campus
and learn and realize we can
move forward as communities
together,” she said.
TROTTER
From Page 1