Thursday, August 15, 2019 INDEX Vol. CXXVIII, No. 122 © 2019 The Michigan Daily NEWS .................................... OPINION ............................... ARTS...................................... MiC......................................... SPORTS................................ MICHIGAN IN COLOR ‘Mother of the sea’ Ana Maria Sanchez-Castillo shares a poem on her multi- cultural identities connecting with the religion of Santeria >> SEE PAGE 9 NEWS Admissions Kedra Ishop and Erica Sand- ers discuss the application process and incoming class >> SEE PAGE 2 OPINION Welcome back Olivia Turano gives her insights to “welcome week” >> SEE PAGE 4 ARTS Jia Tolentino Acclaimed New Yorker writer to speak on her literary debut “Trick Mirror” at Literati Book Store >> SEE PAGE 6 SPORTS Soccer FC Barcelona cruises past SSC Napoli 4-0 in weekend game held at the Big House >> SEE PAGE 12 inside 2 4 6 9 10 Alumni call for separation from Stephen M. Ross Stephen M. Ross, the New York-based real estate mogul who is the largest donor in University of Michigan history and namesake of the School of Business, has faced backlash from University alumni and on social media following his decision to host a reelection fundraiser for President Donald Trump in his Southampton home. Following reports of Ross’s scheduled fundraiser — with tickets ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 — he was trending on Twitter, with many calling for the boycott of SoulCycle and Equinox, two luxury gym companies owned by Ross. Ross, whose net worth is estimated at about $7.7 billion, also owns football team the Miami Dolphins. In a statement to the Miami Herald, Ross defended his fundraiser, explaining he and Trump agree on some issues but “strongly disagree on many others.” “I started my business with nothing and a reason for my engagement with our leaders is my deep concern for creating jobs and growing our company’s economy,” Ross wrote. “I have been, and will continue to be, an outspoken champion of racial equality, inclusion, diversity, public education and environmental sustainability.” SoulCycle and Equinox also released statements affirming their commitment to diversity and tolerance. Both companies emphasized they do not endorse the event and said Ross is a passive investor uninvolved in management. However, some on social media continued to cancel membership to the two businesses and still condemned Ross’ support of Trump, citing the president’s rhetoric as racist, misogynistic and homophobic. Among Ross’ critics are former Hillary Clinton advisor Phillippe Reines, model Chrissy Teigen, actor Sophia Bush and actor Billy Eichner. In particular, Miami Dolphins receiver Kenny Stills suggested Ross’ support for Trump is contradictory to the mission statement of RISE, a non- profit Ross founded aiming to “educate and empower the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.” University community members have also shared their concerns about the fundraiser to the Ross School of Business, prompting Dean Scott DeRue to send an email to students, faculty and staff in response. DeRue said the school does not endorse or support this fundraiser or any others for any political candidates. The email emphasized the school’s values of diversity and inclusion as well as civic responsibility. In upholding these values, DeRue wrote the importance of listening to and working with people holding different opinions is key to the democratic process. “I want to close by saying that we, as an educational institution built on these core values, reject all attempts to divide our community,” DeRue wrote. “We are strong because of our diversity, and hate has no place in our society. At Michigan Ross, we rise above hateful rhetoric and live the values we aspire to. It is the Michigan way, and it is the way we will create a better world, together.” City sees rise in absentee ballots cast Clerk anticipates more absentee ballots in future due to passing of Proposal 3 Ann Arbor experienced a 22 percent increase in absentee voting during the Aug. 6 election, data from the city shows. Deputy City Clerk Steve Gerhart said his office did not experience a major influx of activity, despite the the increase in voting through alternative routes. In November 2018, Michigan passed Proposal 3, which allows all eligible voters to cast an absentee ballot without explicit justification. Nearly a year since its passage, Ann Arbor has already begun to see its effects. Prior to the proposal’s passage, absentee voting was limited to those over 60, those unable to get to the polls because they were out of town or prohibited by religious circumstance, those awaiting arraignment or trial, those who could not vote without assistance and those who were working to coordinate the election outside their precinct. The Aug. 6 election was the first sense the passing of Proposal 3. Gerhart attributed the increased absentee voting to registration done online or over the course of months leading up to the actual election. All Ann Arbor registered voters are able to request an absentee ballot from the city clerk’s office beginning 75 days prior to any election and extending until the Monday prior. Voters need not fill out a formal request. Ann Arbor absentee ballots can be requested in person, over the phone or by email. When retrieving absentee ballots from the city clerk’s office, recipients are subject to the same voter identification laws as all other Michiganders. Applicants presenting requests within 14 days of the election will be required to show proof of residency. ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM Read more at michigandaily.com MELANIE TAYLOR Summer News Editor Read more at michigandaily.com michigandaily.com ‘U’ community weighs in on Ross fundraiser for Trump FILE PHOTO Stephen M. Ross speaks at an event. CLAIRE HAO & SAMANTHA SMALL Summer News Editors