Leaders of top universities
discuss societal “compact”
Schlissel emphasizes
need to communicate
public benefits of
university research
By EDUARDO BATISTA
Daily Staff Reporter
On
Monday
afternoon,
the
University of Michigan hosted
leaders from nine of the world’s
most highly ranked universities
to discuss the public role of
research
universities
for
the
ongoing celebration of the school’s
Bicentennial.
The event, titled “The Evolving
Bargain
Between
Research
Universities and Society,” was
the third conversation in a series
of colloquia hosted by University
President Mark Schlissel. It is
following “The Future University
Community”
from
January,
which
featured
U.S.
Supreme
Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor,
and a discussion with four former
University presidents in April on
the topic of research.
The event featured a prelude
performance by students from the
School of Music, Theatre & Dance
and
introductory
remarks
by
Presidential Bicentennial Professor
Paul Courant, who is also the
interim provost, and then Schlissel
himself.
Schlissel
emphasized
the
importance of the gathering to
advance discussions on research
that will hopefully benefit society in
the future.
“For the University of Michigan
200th year we are looking forward
with purpose in examining the
future of higher education and of
our society,” he said. “Here for what
I believe is an unprecedented public
conversation are leaders from nine
of the world’s top Universities,
participants of the Board of the
Tanner Lectures on Human Values
… Our challenge here as leaders is
to develop the right narrative to
explain our missions to citizens and
society.”
Following Schlissel’s remarks,
moderator
Ruth
Simmons,
President
Emeritus
of
Brown
University, facilitated discussions
focusing on three specific topics:
the role of free speech on campus,
affordability of education and the
responsibility of universities to
promote social mobility.
Each university leader discussed
a specific topic related to the public
role of research universities and
their interactions with society.
Leszek
Borysiewicz,
Vice-
Chancellor of the University of
Cambridge,
argued
universities
should not deter freedom of speech
in detriment of celebrating different
ideas. Borysiewicz first noted there
is a special relationship between
universities and the public.
“My view from over the pond, if
you like, is that you are quite right
that there is a compact between
society and universities,” he said. “It
is one that is entirely built on trust,
and that we as institutions have to
understand that society that gives
us our rights or licenses. If we forget
that, we are in great difficulties.”
ONE-HUNDRED-TWENTY SIX YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Ann Arbor, MI
Weekly Summer Edition
michigandaily.com
INDEX
Vol. CXXVII, No. 78 | © 2017 The Michigan Daily
michigandaily.com
NEWS ....................................
OPINION ...............................
ARTS ......................................
CLASSIFIEDS.........................
MiC.........................................
SPORTS................................
NEWS
Eva Feldman
Exiting director discusses
work on curing amyo-
trophic lateral sclerosis.
>> SEE PAGE 8
NEWS
Washtenaw
Democrats
County Democrats
encourage precinct-based
organizing.
>> SEE PAGE 2
OPINION
Zuckerberg
“contemporary political
operatives undermines
democracy...”
>> SEE PAGE 4
ARTS
TV Review: Glow
New Netflix series
glimmers in its premiere
>> SEE PAGE 7
SPORTS
Wilson drafted
Michigan now has had six
first-round picks in the last
five years.
>> SEE PAGE 12
inside
2
4
6
8
9
10
University reveals
awards for
community service
and excellence
By JENNIFER MEER
Summer Managing News Editor
The
MStaff200
Bicentennial
Celebration Event, kicked off early
Tuesday
morning
with
tents,
activities
and
recognitions
of
University of Michigan staff and
faculty, past and present. Hundreds
gathered on the Diag and Ingalls
Mall for the event, which marked
the second day of the Summer
Festival after Monday’s Bicentennial
Colloquium.
Several speakers took to the steps
of Hatcher Graduate Library to
address the crowd.
Gary Krenz, executive director of
the University’s Bicentennial, opened
the event and acknowledged the
essential work of faculty.
“We have a really vibrant, fun set
of activities ahead of us today, all
developed by staff, in recognition
of staff contributions over the
University’s 200 years,” he said. “To
make that complex entity (that is U
of M) function requires partnership
with a lot of people who are operating
at the very highest level, and that, of
course, is our dedicated University of
Michigan staff.”
Laurita Thomas, associate vice
president for Human Resources,
worked to create the MStaff200
event. She thanked the over 600
volunteers, faculty and staff who
committed to facilitating activities
throughout the day.
“I hope you will feel a sense of pride
ADMINISTRATION
See UNIVERSITY, Page 3
See MSTAFF200, Page 3
MAX KUANG/DAILY
Leaders from nine top universities discuss the role of academia at the President’s Bicentennial Colloquium at Hill Auditorium
on Monday.
MStaff200
celebrates
University
staff, unveils
art tribute
Bicentennial
Summer Festival