Wayne State in the news

Boss Mike brings politics to medicine

In his column, Finley writes about how Mike Duggan cut costs, improved efficiency and posted profits when Gov. Jennifer Granholm "bought him the chief executive's job (at the DMC)." Finley further opines that Duggan's accomplishments are eclipsed by his "ruthless drive to put Wayne State University under his thumb." Finley writes, "Duggan is determined to win at all costs and is deploying dirtball tactics that served him well in Wayne County politics. WSU officials accuse him of slurring the reputation of its medical graduates and the quality of a Wayne education." Finley further writes, "Because Duggan is using the DMC as a fattening pen for his and Granholm\'s political operatives, the speculation is that he wants to keep his team intact for a run for governor. But it may be that he\'s just having a big time and making a lot of money -- and a lot of enemies -- applying the theories of machine politics to medicine."

MSU med school should keep put of Wayne State-DMC feud

In an editorial, The Detroit News stated, "For all the unknowns surrounding health care in Detroit, one thing has been certain: Wayne State University would teach the area\'s doctors, and they in turn would treat the city\'s and state\'s residents. However, "excessive ego and politics" threaten this 150-year relationship, especially with the probability of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine moving to the Detroit Medical Center. "Both the DMC and Macomb are on board because they get the students and money that comes with them. Wayne State, however, is rightly concerned that this is a ploy hatched by DMC Chief Executive Mike Duggan to either force it out of the system or wrest control and money away from Wayne State with the entrance of another school onto the DMC campus. Either way it\'s a bad deal, and the MSU Board of Trustees should do what\'s right by voting not to move to the Detroit Medical Center." The editorial also noted that although the WSU medical school was reaccredited six months ago, the formal contracts with the DMC have not been signed yet, and another accreditation board will be visiting the school in 18 months. \"This is a real threat to the existence of the medical school in this community,\" says Dr. Robert Mentzer Jr., dean of the WSU medical school. If they return and find that an agreement isn\'t finalized and another school is moving in, Wayne State\'s future will be at risk, Mentzer says.

"Leaders on Leadership" - Rick Nahm

\"Leaders on Leadership\", co-produced by the Wayne State University School of Business Administration and Detroit Public Television, featured Rick Nahm, president of the Cranbrook Educational Community. The program is hosted by WSU\'s Larry Fobes (SBA) and showcases WSU students from the studio audience who ask leadership questions directly to the guest for on-air use. The program will be re-broadcast on Wednesday, May 16, and is available on-line at http://www.dptv.org/ --> On Demand --> Video --> Leaders on Leadership.

MSU urged to delay vote

Pressure is mounting on Michigan State University\'s Board of Trustees to delay a vote expected Friday on where it will place a satellite campus for its osteopathic school in metro Detroit. Delaying the vote is being pushed by the leadership of Wayne State University, at least one MSU board member, medical school student leaders at three Michigan schools and Dr. Joe Schwarz, head of a medical education committee for the Detroit Regional Chamber and Detroit Renaissance. \"I think it should be delayed,\" Schwarz said Friday about the MSU vote. \"We need to decide what\'s best for health care in the city of Detroit and for its citizens... and how to provide the best quality medical education for students.\" Schwarz\'s group is to meet in full for the first time Monday, the same day Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid and Eugene Driker, chair of the WSU Board of Governors, meet with MSU leaders about MSU\'s plans to create a metro Detroit campus for 200 students. A photo of Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid is included.

Who's got patients at heart?

Columnist Rochelle Riley writes about the positions of Wayne State University and the DMC regarding MSU's plan to open an osteopathic satellite campus in the metro Detroit area. WSU's medical school officials say Duggan is waging a misinformation campaign to convince MSU to accept a plan that would force WSU to close its operations at the DMC. Duggan says there is enough room for both MSU DO and WSU MD students. WSU says additional students would violate accreditation limits on how many aspiring doctors can train at DMC. Duggan says that he has no duty to WSU because a memorandum of intent that WSU signed with the DMC last November is non-exclusive. WSU countered, saying its regional outreach should not lead Duggan to force the entire medical school out of the DMC campus. Riley concludes, "But wouldn\'t it be more prudent to get a clearer picture before the MSU board decides this Friday to make such a vital choice for Detroit? Perhaps the board should table its decision -- at least until the conversation grows larger than he-said, they-said.

Wayne State makes last plea

President Irvin D. Reid and Eugene Driker, chair of the WSU Board of Governors, will head to East Lansing Monday to ask Michigan State University not to expand its osteopathic school to the Detroit Medical Center campus. The article terms the visit a "last-ditch plea." Reid and Driker will meet with MSU President Lou Anna Simon and Joel Ferguson, who chairs the MSU Board of Trustees. The article rehashes background on the dispute between Wayne State and the DMC over possible location at the medical center of a satellite campus of MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine. Photos of President Reid and President Simon are included. WDTK Radio also mentioned the meeting during morning news segments.

State Aid Down, Tuition Up at Michigan's Public Universities

Several media outlets carried an AP story about reductions in state funding for Michigan's public universities. Thirteen universities received less from the state last year than in 2001-02. Several of the institutions, including Wayne State, link the loss of state aid to a decline in faculty and staff. The statistics came from a report by the state Legislature's non-partisan fiscal agencies. According to the article, the average annual tuition paid by a full-time undergraduate student from Michigan at a public university in the state was $6,890 in 2005-06, up 39 percent from the average $4,948 in 2001-02.

Wayne State University Concert Chorale director interviewed

WWJ reporter Vicki Thomas interviewed Wayne State University Concert Chorale director Norah Duncan during rehearsals this morning at the Emma Lazaroff Schaver Music Recital Hall. WWJ is also planning to do a followup interview with Duncan while the Concert Chorale is competing at the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition in Cork, Ireland, on May 2-6. The event is the centerpiece of the 53rd annual Cork International Choral Festival. Wayne State's Concert Chorale, the fourth U.S. choir invited to participate in this prestigious competition since the Festival's inception 53 years ago, will perform on May 5 in Cork's 1,000-seat City Hall.

Poll: 2 of 3 undergrads expect to leave Michigan or unsure

According to a recent poll, 53 percent of 640 students surveyed at Wayne State University, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan expect to move out of state upon graduation. Of the Big 3, WSU students are the most likely to remain in Michigan with 44 percent planning to move. WSU junior Imran Usmani, 23, an India native, said he will most likely leave after graduation next year but hopes to eventually return. Usmani grew up in Saudi Arabia and says his WSU degree will bring a higher salary in those countries. \"I\'ve got to go back because I don\'t think there is a good opportunity for me in Michigan,\" he said. \"When I have a secure job, and have earned enough money, I probably will come back to start a business or something over here.\" WSU junior Aaron Keast is also quoted in a sidebar. Photos of WSU freshman nursing student Patricia Hines and Usmani are included.

Entrepreneurs fill campuses

More than 4 in 10 Michigan college students hope to start their own businesses one day, according to a poll that surveyed 640 students at the state's Big 3 universities - Wayne State University, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan. Getting rich isn't the primary reason for students starting their own companies; flexibility and control are more important. "Think about it, if you work for somebody else, you have limitations," said Sherittia Green, 24, a WSU engineering student. There's only so far you can climb up the corporate ladder." More business majors (63 percent) than those in any other discipline hope to run their own firm. More non-white students (52 percent) than white students (37 students) saw themselves starting their own businesses.

Med school decision 'as big as it gets'

Michigan State University officials will visit Macomb County tomorrow searching for a potential site for its new medical school. Among planned stops will be the site proposed by the Detroit Medical Center. Wayne State University officials endorsed the Macomb proposal while expressing concerns that the DMC plan would diminish the capacity of WSU's medical school program. DMC CEO Mike Duggan responded that plenty of spaces would be available for WSU internships at DMC-affiliated hospitals throughout the Detroit area.
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Spring sports off to a strong start at WSU, other schools

Downriver athletes stand out on college team rosters Warrior senior first baseman Jon Weisman leads the Wayne State University baseball team with nine home runs, through the season's first 33 games. He is also third on the team with 30 RBIs and is hitting .318. In a team-high 10 appearances, sophomore pitcher Anthony Bass had a 4-2 record with a 4.66 ERA. Senior Chuck Pate had a 1-1 mark with a 4.15 ERA. Other Downriver hurlers for the Warriors include freshmen David White (1-1, 6.88 ERA) and Brady Cooper (1-1, 10.32 ERA). Danny Lyall is a redshirt freshman pitcher. Photos of the WSU players are included.
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Football camp

Detroit Lions quarterback Josh McCown and offensive lineman Barry Stokes will serve as instructors at the Offense-Defense Football Camp held at Wayne State University from June 24-28. During the five-day camp, junior athletes are divided into groups based on their age, size, weight and abilities to work on offense and defense fundamentals. At the end of the camp, the athletes compete in the Offense-Defense Bowl to showcase their skills. Registration and contact information are provided.

GRADING PRESIDENTS: Lincoln is tops, Bushes rank near bottom in poll of students

According to a recent poll, students at Wayne State University, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan have been debating which Presidents have been good and bad. Students ranked Bill Clinton ahead of Ronald Reagan and Gerald R. Ford, but behind Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Of the 640 students polled, 68 percent said Clinton was among the very best, while 4 percent said he was terrible. President George W. Bush was ranked terrible by 59 percent. "I can't find a job to save my soul," said Cassandra Marbury, 23, a WSU psychology sophomore. "And my husband's second tour of duty in Iraq just got extended by four months." WSU senior Mitchell Owens, 21, rated Lincoln as one of the best presidents. "He made decisions based on what was best for the country."