Gov. Jennifer Granholm came to Central Michigan University at 9:15 a.m. Thursday to rally students for the Michigan Promise scholarship.
The idea is great in theory. Having the Governor put herself in front of students for an issue as important as this is always a plus.
The visit, however, was nothing more than shameless lobbying on Granholm’s part, as she failed to answer student questions or adequately describe how she would bring back the scholarship.
In the end, Granholm was “preaching to the choir” when she said the scholarship is important and did not accomplish much by coming to CMU.
The event was poorly planned from the beginning, as it was announced only days before Granholm came to campus. At 9:15 a.m., some students are on their way to class or work. The forum was held at the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium, one of the smallest venues on campus. And despite the forum being open to the public, students were turned away because there were too many people.
Only one question was answered, coming from a student who refused to sit down and be still.
The little talking Granholm did had no progress in bringing back the Promise. From the importance of higher education to families losing jobs, she delivered the same old rehash students have been hearing since the cut was proposed.
If Granholm really wanted to have an effective forum at CMU, she should have announced the visit further ahead of time. Plachta Auditorium at around 7 p.m. would have attracted a bigger crowd as opposed to a cramped auditorium early in the morning, even if she is busy.
Answering more questions from the audience would have made for progressive conversation. Instead, all she did was highlight the benefits of the Michigan Promise without giving a clear solution on how to bring it back.
And she spoke for 11 minutes.Too much time was spent on other speakers such as Student Government Association Vice President Brittany Mouzourakis which, as touching as her story might be, is the same sort of story we’ve heard from hundreds to thousands of other students. We want more higher ed funding; that’s nothing new.
Realistically, the forum itself was a useless idea. It’s a no-brainer that the governor will draw the most support to rally for scholarships at a college campus. But it’s not the students who make the laws and balance the budget. Granholm’s best advice was to get a hold of state representatives and let them know they want the Promise back.
As if no one already knew to do that.
Granholm would be much more productive rallying lawmakers in Lansing to ring the scholarship back and taking real action.
Leading by example will bring the scholarship back. Traveling from campus to campus and doing the same song and dance she did at CMU will not.
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While I agree that the Library Auditorium was not the best place to hold the lecture, you also have to take into consideration that Granholm wasn’t only visiting CMU yesterday and was also speaking at Western at 6PM. As for suggesting “Plachta Auditorium at around 7 p.m.” …Robert Kennedy Jr. was speaking at 7:30pm; an event that was booked months before hand. The Library Auditorium may have been the only room available on such short notice. As for “failing” to clearly describe how she would bring the promise back… I thought her proposal of a gradual increase in tax credits instead of a large increase was adequately described.
While I agree Granholm did not speak long, I also think it was all in good taste for Granholm to hear CMU students stories. It is a way she can show empathy towards students by taking the time to listen and by no means should the student speakers be demeaned by suggesting they took up too much time of the lecture.
I think one may be a little naive to assume that every student at the lecture already knew to contact their local senators and demand the promise back. Only a small percentage of the students in the room were suppose to receive the promise. The rest of the students attending were most likely there to educate themselves on the issue and hearing student speakers hopefully empowered them to go out and take action. Granholm’s suggestion to do so was needed. I completely disagree that the lecture was a waste of time and in saying so is disrespectful to the cause, Granholm, and the student speakers.
What exactly did you want to happen at the lecture?
Terrible editorial.
The governor takes time to stop and speak and this is how student journalists view it? Take some time to get a real pulse of how the students felt about it. Most were impressed by the governor.
I agree with the commenter above: What did you think was going to come out of it? That question was not answered in the editorial and thus makes the whole thing a farce.
Not everything requires a negative slant. It’s pretty sickening.
This editorial simply shows how painfully ignorant the CM-Life editorial board is of how politics work. What a bad year for CM-Life.
I think it’s a great editorial.
I love how Student Government Association Vice President Brittany Mouzourakis and the SGA president are complaining when they get paid by CMU. Nichol also gets a full academic scholarship plus other scholarships for being the son of a CMU employee. He didn’t need the Promise.
John M,
Who are to say who does and does not need the scholarship regardless of their involvement in school, relation to CMU employees, and whether they have other scholarships or not? Of what relevance is that to you or the point of this article? Some students were to receive up to $3,000. You may come from a wealthy family that could gladly hand that over but for most that is a lot. Why are you attaching fellow CMU students? Are you a pissed off Republican that is using transference to vent your pent up frustration? Just curious in your motives.
Governor Granholm stopping to offer canned sound-bytes was almost as embarrassing as the inappropriately casual president of the College Democrats. “Oh, that’s my phone,” by said president perfectly underscored the public relations farce that was this discussion.
Beyond the aforesaid elements, I would like to make it clear that this is not the Democrat’s problem. Furthermore, it is not the Republican’s problem; it is our problem. Lest we figure out a sensible way to alleviate this problem, it will be passed down to future generations.
I believe the VP Mouzourakis’ scholarships should be considered in the Michigan Promise debate. Correct me if I am wrong, but the SGA VP receives 12 academic credits free from the University per semester as what, a “payment” or “stipend?” There are many CMU & non-CMU scholarships such as the Centralis and athletic scholarships that pay for all or almost all of an individual’s school expenses. This is great until they receive the Michigan Promise moneys, which they can literally pocket the leftovers.
The word “scholarship” is defined as financial aid to a student on the basis of academic merit. (wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn) I believe the word “profit” replaces scholarship when one has enough scholarships that they get the wonderful refund check, of which could be spent on a new Wii or the next round of shots at the Bird. I do not argue that everyone or even a majority chooses to do this, but when I witness even one occurrence, I question the Michigan Promise in its current form. I am sorry but I do not want the state aka my tax dollars subsidizing your Wii purchase!
I do understand and agree that more often than not, students are in the “negative” when it comes to the amount owed, after tuition/cost of living/etc is subtracted from scholarships. However, I do believe we should take a gander at those people who receive athletic scholarships, the Centralis, and SGA “stipends” and see whether they receive the Michigan Promise as well. I hope you enjoy the Wii you purchased aka in paying your taxes! Next time you are at the Bird and someone offers you a free shot, question whether that shot was truly free…
I raised my hand until she called on me. I then stood, out of respect, to properly ask my question.
A story from MIRS today said that Gary Granger has filed a police complaint against SGA Senator Ben Lazarus. reports claim that Lazarus has called Granger at home at 4 am to harrass him. Please tell me that we don’t have another Dennis Lennox on our hands, especially a member of SGA.
A story from MIRS said that SGA senator Ben Lazarus has filed a police complaint against Gary Granger. Reports claim that Granger has called Lazarus at home at 4 am to harass him.