ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIX YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Ann Arbor, Michigan
michigandaily.com
ADMINISTRATION
Public input, feedback on provost heard at town hall Students interested in selection of leader, faculty also vocalize specific requests ALON SAMUEL
Daily Staff Reporter DESIGN BY: MICHELLE PHILLIPS
Students, professors explore role of free speech in classroom, on campus
University as a public institution has strict policies regarding First Amendment CAITLIN REEDY Daily Staff Reporter
In the last year there have been several instances of hate speech and targeted verbal attacks against different minority groups on the University of Michigan campus. However, the line between hate speech and free speech remains blurred for the University to interpret in each individual case, as the balance between maintaining free speech and a safe environment for
students continually remains a precarious one. As a public institution, the University must strictly adhere to the First Amendment and the freedom of speech it guarantees. The University codified its commitment to free speech and a safe campus in its UM Standard Practice Guide, as of the many policies in the SPG, one is dedicated solely to 601.01, the “Freedom of Speech and Artistic Expression.” The Civil Liberties Board of the University’s Senate Assembly
proposed a set of guidelines to be adopted by the University. Prefacing the policies is the goal that, by representing and allowing for the entire spectrum of opinions within the University community, the staff can create an open forum for diverse opinions. The guidelines of 601.01 are committed to the exchange of opinions to encourage learning. “Expression of diverse points of view is of the highest importance, not only for those who espouse a cause or position and then defend it, but also for those who hear and
pass judgment on that defense,” the policy reads. “The belief that an opinion is pernicious, false, or in any other way detestable cannot be grounds for its suppression.” Law student Erin Pamukcu, president of the University’s chapter of the American Constitution Society, believes the First Amendment and free speech are foundations not only in the study of law, but the U.S. democratic system. “It’s the Amendment that ensures the will of the people can See FREE SPEECH, Page 3
The Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Search Advisory Committee held a town hall meeting Monday evening, seeking public input on the search process for the position, which oversees academic and budgetary affairs for the University of Michigan. The position of interim provost is currently held by Public Policy Prof. Paul Courant, who assumed the position on Feb. 1st after former Provost Martha Pollack left the University on Jan. 31 to serve role as president of Cornell University starting April 17. University President Mark Schlissel, who chairs the committee, said he hopes to fill the position by the beginning of the next academic year. Aside from Schlissel, the committee consists of 10 professors and deans from several of the University’s 19 schools, as well as one student representative. The town hall had an
attendance of about 30 people, most of whom were faculty and staff, as well as the committee members themselves. The group articulated ideas about what qualities the next provost should have and the issues with which he or she should be most concerned. Several attendees mentioned the importance of the provost’s understanding of research, including Vice President for Research Jack Hu, a committee member and professor of mechanical engineering, who said it was important to him that the future provost was someone who had done research and understood the complexities of the research enterprise. LSA senior Aditi Rao raised the question of innovations in education, citing Caitlin Holman’s recent TedxUofM presentation about improvements that could be made in education. “I know a few of you have mentioned the importance of research and that the provost has participated in research,” Rao said. “I think it would be See TOWN HALL, Page 3
Adminstration and SACUA discuss New party DPSS gives announces selection of next University provost update on
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
CRIME
run in CSG elections
President Mark Schlissel visits the committee, asking for suggestions, recommendations
LSA juniors lead eMerge campaign, aim to bring attention to student voices
The Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs met with University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel and the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Search Advisory Committee Monday afternoon to discuss the selection of the new provost. Schlissel began the meeting by seeking input from SACUA on what the search committee should look for in a new provost. Schlissel welcomed SACUA’s advice not only on what qualifications the candidates should have, but also the issues to which they should be paying extra attention, particularly as a body that frequently interacts with the provost. “I thought it would be valuable to have input from SACUA about what we should be paying closest attention to as we search for a new provost,” Schlissel said. “You’re amongst the group that interacts with the provost quite a bit … so your advice is particularly welcome.” SACUA member John Lehman, a professor of biology, began the conversation by reading a list of questions he and the Academic Affairs Advisory Committee created. The committee hopes the questions will be used in the interviews of the candidates for provost. Its questions covered a broad range of topics, including what the candidate believes to be the purpose of the University and
NISA KHAN & JORDYN BAKER Daily News Editor & Daily Staff Reporter
With the current administration nearing its end, the first campaign for the University of Michigan’s Central Student Government launched Monday night. The group celebrated its new beginning in the Ross School of Business with its 15 member team. The party, eMerge, is headed by LSA junior Anushka Sarkar, the former Chief Programming Officer, who is running for President, and Public Policy junior Nadine Jawad, the current CSG Senior Policy Advisor, who is running for Vice President. Currently, the party is unopposed. Last year, Sarkar worked with the Mental Health Leaders Network, where she helped push to increase the number of counselors in Counseling and Psychological Services. The party’s goals are based in pushing for sustainable changes that can impact a greater movement. “We really pushed the See CAMPAIGN, Page 3
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MAYA GOLDMAN Daily Staff Reporter
his or her vision for research and innovation at the University. Lehman also stressed the importance of the future provost’s engagement with undergraduate education, considering the provost is currently the only individual with a responsibility for undergraduate education on campus. Lehman suggested asking whether the provost would like to expand that responsibility and if he or she would consider
active involvement with students by teaching occasional undergraduate courses. Schlissel responded enthusiastically to the AAAC’s list, saying the search committee has already spent time thinking about the provost’s relationship with undergraduate education. “We were just talking about the issue of undergraduate education today,” Schlissel said. “All schools and colleges have structures that
look after their undergraduate programs and deans respond on the school level. But the provost is really the integrator of undergraduate commitments across the campus.” Other SACUA members posed their own questions regarding topics such as how the next provost will further the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan and interact with See SACUA, Page 3
MATT VAILLIENCOURT/Daily
University President Mark Schlissel joined the SACUA meeting to discuss the search for a new provost at the Fleming Building on Monday.
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INDEX
Vol. CXXVII, No. 29 ©2016 The Michigan Daily
alleged Fall hate crimes
‘U’ police, AAPD and FBI determine two of three hate crimes did not occur ALEXIS RANKIN Daily Staff Reporter
Updates regarding three hate crimes that occurred at the end of last year have been released by the Ann Arbor Police Department. Following the conclusion of a joint investigation with the FBI, AAPD and the Division of Public Safety and Security, two of the three crimes were deemed as being falsely reported and the other investigation is currently inactive because of lack of information. The first incident, which took place on Nov. 11, involved a student who reported being approached by a man who demanded she remove her hijab or he would set her on fire. It was later determined, citing several discrepancies between eyewitness testimonies and surveillance tapes from the scene, the alleged crime did not occur. According to a press release from the AAPD, the student will not be prosecuted for the false report. “Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s office declined to authorize criminal charges,” Lt. See DPSS, Page 3
NEWS.........................2 OPINION.....................4 ARTS......................6
SUDOKU.....................2 CLASSIFIEDS...............6 SPORTS....................7