President Obama announced a plan to force public universities to either “contain tuition or face losing federal dollars,” which left university heads questioning the president’s understanding of university financing.

According to an April 2011 release from the State Higher Education Executive Officers, Michigan is already in the bottom 10 of all states for higher education support. The national average for per-student taxpayer support is $6,451, while Michigan’s average is only $4,822 per student.

Outside Tuesday’s Academic Senate meeting, Ross said he does not see it affecting CMU students.

“For us at CMU, with our philosophy, I don’t think it would hurt our students or the university at all,” he said. “We award based on merit, and I feel comfortable with where we are as a university.”

Political science faculty member Lawrence Sych said President Obama’s plan isn’t unlike attempts of the state in the past.

“This sounds a lot like what states have tried to do in the past with mixed success,” he said. “Over the past several years, Michigan has been trimming back state support for universities, and now with some surpluses at the state level, they’re reconsidering that. It’s the lack of state support that motivates universities to increase tuition.”

President Obama’s plan aims to provide educational opportunities for all students, but Sych said it seems to have potential to harm students.

“It seems like it would be difficult to not hurt the students. If you cut federal support going to public universities, those would be hurting the very students that you’re seeking to help,” Sych said. “One of the major motives for increasing tuition is the lack of state support. If we don’t raise tuition, we’re losing that revenue. At the same time, the federal government says if you raise tuition, we’ll cut federal support. It’s really a lose-lose situation.”

Ross said CMU has been working toward cost efficiency since the beginning of the decade, introducing the CMU Promise, a price-fixed tuition plan, in the fall of 2005. The promise was eliminated in the summer of 2008.

“We’ve cut costs in basic things such as utilities to help keep tuition low,” Ross said. “What sets CMU apart is that we started this in 2002, not just when the economy started to suffer. It’s remained consistent.”

Sych said he doesn’t think Obama’s plan will be put in use anytime soon.

“Obama is close to the end of his term, so I doubt this plan would happen this soon,” he said. “It may just be a nice thing to say to gain some political support going into the next election.”

A resident physician viewed a suspicious and disturbing image on a thumb drive in a locked staff lounge. According to the report a resident found the drive with the materials left in a hospital computer and attempted to identify its owner.

“She suspected it might belong to another resident physician after opening a document with his name on it, records show.

“She panicked, left the drive in the computer and went home because her shift was over. When she returned the next morning to file a report, the drive was no longer in the computer. She spoke with her supervisors and met with hospital security officials, sharing what she had seen and showing them the computer. She also met with the Office of the General Counsel and told them about it.”

The incident was detailed in two recently unsealed  university police search warrant affidavits from the case against 36-year-old Stephen Jenson, who worked until late December as a resident physician at the hospital. Jenson is charged with four counts of possessing child sexually abusive material and is scheduled to return to court next month for a preliminary hearing.

University officials waited six months before informing the police, during which time Jenson continued to see patients, including children.

A recent study shows undergraduate students are working fewer hours per week, and the economy is most likely to blame.

The National Bureau of Economic Research reports student employment hours have dropped from 11 hours in 2000-08 to only eight hours from 2009 on.

Many students are simply unable to find jobs in the hurting economy, and others are often more busy with school and other commitments, the State News reports.

Keeping up with the demands of both school and a job is not only manageable, but helpful, said Michigan State University freshman Arnett Morgan.

“Students who do work 10 to 15 (hours) could actually be at a better sweet spot because they have better time management,” Morgan told the State News.

Michigan passes pro-bullying legislation

Michigan legislators began working on a law last year in an attempt to help reduce the number of bullying-related suicides. Unfortunately, “Matt’s Safe School Law” — named for a student who took his life after being bullied at school — does little to prevent harassment, the Western Herald reports.

The new law states that bullying behavior is justified if the student’s actions are based on a “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction.”

Critics of the law say this addendum will render the law useless, as it will allow gay students to continue to be victimized by bullies.

Gov. Rick Snyder, who has spoken about his own torment by bullies during his time in school, signed the bill into law on Nov. 29.

Students consider leaving Michigan after graduation

Students are finding more reason to leave the state following graduation from college, the Grand Valley Lanthorn reports. Students’ decisions to relocate often include family, friends and even Michigan’s infamous weather indecision, but are most frequently a result of the poor economy.

Next Generation Consulting, a Wisconsin advising firm for professionals, reported that only 11 percent of college students believed Michigan to have enough job opportunities for their needs. Fifty-nine percent still considered staying in the state after graduation, and 30 percent were unsure of their future plans.

Educations that offer realistic career experience and opportunities are the key to keeping graduates in the state, the Lanthorn reports.

Michigan will only continue to hurt economically if it is unable to retain jobs and educated people to fill them.

Stricter state guidelines for failing students

With the growing national debt constantly posing problems for the national government, new guidelines are being enforced at universities in order to cut down on national spending. The newest of these policies will take both federal and school-funded financial aid out of the hands of students who are failing in school, the Grand Valley Lanthorn reports.

Each university is handling the policy differently, but most agree that it boils down to be mostly an attendance issue. If students attend class, there really is no worry that any financial aid will be lost, the Lanthorn reports.

Universities are not looking to kick students out, and only extreme cases of failure are currently being considered under the new policy.

Central Michigan Life reported last September that the funds, deemed “unrestricted net assets,” grew by nearly $48 million from 2010 to 2011. Central Michigan University’s current balance in unrestricted funds stands at just more than $275 million.

The funds include those used for operational activities that are not yet restricted, funds designated by the governing board for specific purposes and funds committed to goods and services not yet received.

According to a recent report by the Detroit Free Press, Central Michigan University is behind the University of Michigan and Michigan State University in unrestricted assets.

The University of Michigan holds $2.6 billion in unrestricted assets, more than the rest of the public universities combined. U-M’s funds increased by nearly 42 percent in 2011, leading among schools for growth as well.

CMU gained nearly 21 percent in unrestricted assets from 2010 to 2011, placing it sixth for growth in unrestricted funds.

As I watched the Michigan and Michigan State football teams win this Saturday, I was faced with the disheartening realization that most Chippewas will never get to experience football and school spirit the same way that our neighboring Spartans and Wolverines will.

A sea of maize and blue filled The Big House as Michigan beat Ohio State University for the first time in almost 3,000 days. After the game, students rushed the field and celebrated with senior players as they finally broke the losing streak against their rival, potentially giving Michigan the opportunity to play in a Bowl Championship Series game.

The Spartans handled Northwestern University, securing a spot in the Big Ten Championship game against Wisconsin after having an admirable 10-2 season and winning the Big Ten Legends division.

While both U-M and MSU football programs found success in 2011, their victories bring back memories of the 2009 Central Michigan University season that now seems so long ago. For the first time in school history, our football program was nationally ranked, going undefeated in the Mid-American Conference and ending the season with a 11-2 record.

Who could possibly forget the 2009 nail-biter between CMU and MSU, where CMU edged out a victory in East Lansing with a last-second field goal? I attended the game and remember cheering at the top of my lungs, more than proud of my school’s unexpected victory.

Any prestige the Chippewa football team once held seems dead and gone, but the football program isn’t to blame. The most noticeable problem is with school spirit, or should I say, the absence of school spirit.

By the fourth quarter of most CMU 2011 football games at Kelly/Shorts Stadium, no more than a few hundred students were usually in the stands. Throughout my time at CMU, I had never seen so many of my friends and peers act so unenthusiastic about attending the games, which unlike MSU and U-M games, are entirely free.

Looking back to the 2008 and 2009 seasons when the Chippewas found success on the football field, I remember one key difference — football games were actually fun.

After three years of the strict tailgating policies implemented in 2009, Parking Lot 63 is largely empty on gameday. I remember my freshman year when four or five rows of the parking lot were guaranteed to be packed with thousands of students, most of whom would attend the game.

Even the historic rivalry between the CMU and Western Michigan football teams has dissipated, and excitement for the match-up that was once seen is now overshadowed by the massive police presence during the weekend.

I’m assuming the tailgating policies have prevented more than underaged drinking and the over-intoxication of the student body. Imagine Coach Dan Enos inviting potential recruits to a home game and having to explain why only a few hundred members of the on-campus student body, which amounts to more than 21,000, are in attendance for most games.

While MSU and U-M have no common area for students to tailgate, they are allowed to gather before games in their university’s attire and enjoy themselves, a privilege that CMU used to give students.

I understand that the university is seeking to reduce the number of accidents on gameday, but the consumption of alcohol by college students is inevitable. For many students, removing the ability to drink before games simply eliminates their desire to go.

As I remember my freshman and sophomore year, it saddens me to know that many younger students may not see the school spirit that CMU once displayed.

The three students are a part of Central Michigan University’s Real Estate Development and Finance program within the finance and law departments in the College of Business Administration. Started in 2006 by Patrick Corcoran, associate professor and program director, the undergraduate program is the only one of its kind in the state of Michigan.

The plan they developed in three day’s time won second place and a $1,000 prize.

In early October, CMU real estate students were invited to participate in a competition sponsored by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the University of Michigan. The competition had teams assess Harmony Park, a neighborhood in downtown Detroit, and submit a plan for development of the area.

Students received the case on Nov. 4 and had to send in their two-page paper and PowerPoint presentation by Monday. The teams presented their solution to a panel of judges at the ULI conference Nov. 9 in Detroit.

The three spent Friday brainstorming and Woodcock said they spend Saturday in Detroit. Sunday and Monday were spent researching and writing at the library before they turned in their submission Monday night.

“We worked really well together as a team. We just went from study room to study room talking it out,” said Albanelli, a Novi senior. “We probably spent close to 24, 28 hours in the library that weekend.”

Corcoran said he knew managing time would be an issue.

“It’s a big investment of time, especially for students,” he said. “And it takes some courage to jump into something where you’re not sure who the competitors are going to be.”

Their competition consisted of five teams from the U-M. A majority of the other students were from Michigan’s graduate real estate program. U-M’s program is architecturally-oriented, while CMU’s is focused on finance.

Lake Orion senior Birach said they weren’t concerned about the other teams, only about their own approach and the judges.

The students’ idea was to turn three parking lots in the area into mixed-use residential and commercial buildings.

“We believed we did fairly well and we were a little bit disappointed that we just got second,” Birach said. “But we were still very excited. Plus after all the years of school, it’s exciting to finally put it toward something productive.”

Overall, Albanelli, Birach and Woodcock agreed they had an amazing experience and it was exciting to be able to represent CMU so well.

Birach said CMU’s accomplishments in competitions such as ULI’s and successful efforts of professors like Corcoran in placing students in internships across the country show the growth of the real estate development and finance program.

“Previously, a lot of people may have shrugged off CMU’s real estate development program,” Birach said. “But in the past couple years, we’ve been consistently proving how great the program is through competitions like this and turning out good graduates.”

The contract states CMU will also be given 450 tickets to the game, according to information Central Michigan Life gathered from filing a Freedom of Information Act.

This was the second non-conference game scheduled for 2013. CMU is also traveling to North Carolina State two weeks after going to U-M.

The Chippewas will make $250,000 from that game. The total is low because the N.C. State Wolfpack is coming to Kelly/Shorts Stadium in 2014.

CMU Athletic Director Dave Heeke said traveling to Georgia in 2008 was the biggest contract, where the Chippewas made $875,000. This would be the second-highest compensation, but the net gain might be greater by not having to travel and stay in Georgia.

The Chippewas are 0-3 against U-M. The last time CMU played at Michigan Stadium was in 2006 and the Chippewas lost 41-17. This was when U-M was ranked 10th in the country.

The $850,000 is considerably larger than the $500,000 Michigan State University paid CMU to come this fall.

“Large schools are able to pay more out,” Heeke said in a previous interview. “Michigan will make $5 million on an average football Saturday. That’s why they’re able to pay visiting teams that they’re favored to win. The more competitive the game, the lower the price.”

Heeke also said on the best day; CMU will make $300,000 on a home game. The 450 tickets is more than the 400 tickets MSU gave, but the Spartans gave CMU the option of purchasing another 5,000.

U-M will have until Feb. 1, 2014 to pay CMU.

CMU’s crest motto, “Sapientia, Virtus, Amicitia” translates to mean “wisdom, virtue and friendship” and is designed to serve as a concise mission statement for the university, said Clarke Historical Library Director Frank Boles.

“Reduced to only a few words, the crest shares what values are those which the institution wishes to demonstrate through the behavior of its faculty and staff, and hopefully instill into those who have the opportunity to attend the school,” Boles said.

Other major Michigan university mottos are generally similar. University of Michigan’s motto reads, “Arts, Knowledge, Truth,” and is the only other university which has retained the original Latin.

Michigan State University’s motto is “Advancing Knowledge. Transforming Lives,” and Wayne State University promotes “Industry, Intelligence, Integrity.”

Boles said CMU’s choice to use “friendship” is representative of the college experience as a whole, rather than only what is learned in the classroom.

“Including ‘friendship’ on the crest undoubtedly was meant to remind us that our institutional mission includes sharing and helping others to share lasting interpersonal values that will continue to be important long after many of the facts learned in the classroom are revised or forgotten,” Boles said.

Virtue, also known as moral goodness, is included to further encourage the message that college is about more than just gaining an education, said Andrew Blom, assistant professor of Philosophy.

Not only moral goodness, but also the building of character are important values for all CMU students, Blom said.

“I believe that a quality university education is not just about developing the intellect and getting marketable skills, but also about enlarging one’s capacities for empathy and engaged citizenship,” Blom said. “Cultivating virtue is as much a matter of becoming knowledgeable, critical, judicious and skillful as of becoming kind, courageous and fair.”

Western Michigan University does not and has never had a motto on its university seal. WMU Director of University Relations Cheryl Roland said a motto is unnecessary for the purposes of the university.

“Our seal, which is used for formal and ceremonial purposes, has several graphic elements that characterize the university’s principles and stature,” she said.

Detroit freshman Deonte Rodgers said he believes friendship is the most important value represented by the CMU.

“Once I came to Central, everyone was so friendly and helpful,” he said. “With the friendly atmosphere, the transition to the college standard was easier to make, since I felt more comfortable.”

Grand Ledge sophomore Lindsey Schiller said she believes the motto’s priorities should play a bigger role in the university’s public perception.

“CMU is always just seen as a party school,” Schiller said. “We should be promoted more for our academics and intelligence, which are really important aspects of the school.”

Unlike Rodgers and Schiller, Streamwood freshman Stephen Lokos knew what the crest meant.

“I believe CMU pursues their motto by emphasizing the value of hard work, determination and community,” he said.

Boles said he encourages all students and faculty to really reflect on the meaning of the university’s motto.

“As aspirational goals, wisdom, virtue and friendship are three values by which any person can live a happy and productive life,” he said. “One could certainly do worse than (using) these three values as guide stones.”

Last time the teams played in 2006, CMU lost to No. 10 Michigan 41-17. It will be the fourth meeting between the two schools. The Wolverines are 3-0 against the Chippewas.

“This is a great opportunity to compete with the U-M again,” said CMU director of athletics Dave Heeke in a press release. “There are many benefits to playing on a national stage, and when we can do that with the partners in our own state we give our alumni, fans and student-athletes something very special to look forward to.”

Both CMU Athletics and U-M Athletics did not comment further about the schedule.

CMU also recently announced it will travel to Clemson in 2014 in the non-conference schedule.

Central Michigan Life has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to find more information on the contract with Michigan, Michigan State (2011-12), Kentucky (2011) and Clemson (2014).

Stay tuned to cm-life.com for more updates later in the week.

EMU’s Board of Regents announced a 3.65 percent increase Monday, and the other two universities’ were determined last week at their respective board meetings. U-M raised tuition 6.7 percent while MSU raised tuition 6.9 percent.

Each undergraduate resident will pay $306 more at EMU, $797 more at U-M and $788 more each year at MSU.

CMUwill determine its own tuition increase at the July 14 board of trustees meeting.

The Wayne State University Board of Governors will meet Wednesday to determine its tuition rate, but university officials have already stated a 7.1 percent increase is necessary to balance the school’s budget.

Thus far, all of the state universities to have set rates have avoided a tuition restraint penalty which would result in a further loss in state funding. If schools exceed the 7.1 percent tuition increase, they will see additional losses in state funding beyond the 15 percent they will already lose in the state’s budget.

Saginaw Valley State, Oakland and Western Michigan universities have also set their tuition rates.

With a 15-percent cut, CMU is set to receive $68 million in state appropriations next year.

University President George Ross has said to expect to see a “modest” tuition increase. Tuition rates were already raised 2.5 percent for master’s and doctoral tuition, and a 3 percent increase to ProfEd tuition.

Barrie Wilkes, associate vice president of Financial Services and Reporting and university controller, previously said the final decision on tuition will be made at the July board meeting.

He said the board is shown a comparison of how other schools handled their tuition increases, but the board ultimately makes the decision independently.

“There’s a comparison provided, but that is not key to developing the university’s budget,” Wilkes said.