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