An article from the Financial Post regarding incarceration of federal prisoners includes comments from professor Peter Henning of the Law School. He said a prisoner cannot know for certain which facility he will be assigned to. "You're playing the lottery," he said. Although some federal prisons have been criticized for their laid-back atmosphere, Henning points out that a prisoner's life is regulated and is not dignified. It is also a life filled with manual labor, even for prisoners in what are considered the better camps. "You could be raking sand traps (on a golf course)," he pointed out.

Mary Ann Wright, who earned an MBA from Wayne State, has been named CEO of Johnson Controls-Saft Advanced Power Solutions in Milwaukee and Paris. The company works on development of hybrid batteries for vehicles.

Committee head proposes bills to give MSU, U-M, Wayne cash apart from other schools. The proposal to fund Michigan\'s three largest universities separately from the state\'s other 12 is gaining support in Lansing. Already endorsed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the leader of an influential appropriations committee now has introduced two bills to allow Wayne State University, Michigan State University, and University of Michigan special consideration in the budget process. The separate funding plan distinguishes the mission of the so-called \"Big Three\" universities from the rest and \"really sends a message nationally that Michigan is recognizing research and we are promoting its research institutions,\" said Rep. Pam Byrnes, D-Chelsea, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. For the second straight year, presidents of the three universities jointly testified before lawmakers to request that they be funded separately from the state\'s other 12 public schools. They explained Wednesday how their medical schools, technology transfer programs and $1.3 billion in research and development operations make them different. \"The state is getting something from these three institutions that they can\'t get from the others,\" Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid said.

Western Michigan University interim President Diether Haenicke, who was scheduled to make WMU's case for stronger state funding to legislators today, said a major focus in his testimony "will be to fight very vigorously against the attempt from Michigan, Michigan State and Wayne State to split off from the rest of the educational system in the state and make it a system of the Big Three…and the other 12." Haenicke asked if thousands more high school graduates start seeking degrees, "where do you think these additional college-bound students would find themselves?" He said "the other 12 (public universities) are the ones who are going to be making a major difference in the work-force development of this state."

Wayne State University's Detroit Orientation Institute (DOI) is profiled in this story that details its history, purpose and upcoming spring sessions. The DOI, now in its 15th year of operation, has offered guided tours and candid discussions with community leaders such as former UAW President and Wayne State University labor professor Douglas Fraser. Ann Slawnik, DOI director since 2001, says, "We take people off the beaten path. We\'re not going to show you what you can find yourself. ... We put you in a Detroit classroom ... and backstage with people making costumes at the Detroit Opera House.\" This spring\'s session takes place on three consecutive Tuesdays: April 17 and 24 and May 1. Participation is limited to 50 people and deadline for registering is March 16. Contact information and a link to the DOI Web site is provided. A photo of Fraser is also included.

William H. Volz, professor of business law at Wayne State\'s School of Business Administration, expresses concerns about the practice of signing documents and agreements, particularly electronic documents, without having an opportunity to see them before signing. \"The courts have little sympathy for a person who fails to read a contract before signing it. But in cases like these (signing electronic pads), the person signing was given no chance to read the final document before signing it. Based perhaps on what took place afterward, the court\'s decision might come down to how \'self-serving\' the resulting language is for the merchant or service provider and how limiting is it for the rights of the person who signed it."

Dr. Jack Sobel, professor of medicine and chief of infectious diseases at Wayne State's School of Medicine, is referenced in an opinion piece supporting the vaccination of preteen girls with Gardisil. The vaccination provides protection against the strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause 99 percent of cervical cancer cases. Cervical cancer is the fifth most common cancer among U.S. women aged 35 to 54. Sobel recently stated: \"It is beyond belief that there has been public opposition to, and protesting against, a vaccine that will save lives. The concern of increased promiscuity is incomprehensible.\"

The Student Neuroscience Society at Wayne State University is hosting "Brain Awareness Day\" at the New Detroit Science Center. The event explains the world of neuroscience, research and brain safety. \"We have fun and simple activities that (children) can understand and that allow them to get an educational experience from it,\" says Catherine Spuz, a member of the neuroscience society. A sidebar containing contact information, cost and details about the exhibit times is included.

As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, the Detroit Artists Market returns to its original mission by offering \"Detroit Next,\" an exhibition opening today that features work by nine artists in their 20s and early 30s. Among artists exhibiting their work is graphic designer Stephen William Schudlich, who is also featured in the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery\'s \"Shrinking City?: Wayne State University Responds\" exhibition that focuses on the disturbing state of Detroit playgrounds and Mack Avenue.

An old Hilberry tradition is revived: The five 2007 acting graduates showcase their work locally before taking it on the road on Sunday, March 4, at the Wayne State University Studio Theatre. Contact information is included. Amadeus The story of two brilliant composers, Mozart and Salieri: One humbly gifted and the other viciously envious, at the Hilberry Theatre in repertory through March 3. Ticket information is provided.

Wayne State was the broadcast site for this morning's Frank Beckmann Show, which has been involved in its first annual College Tour 2007 this week. Among those interviewed by Beckmann were President Irvin D. Reid; Dean Barbara Redman of the College of Nursing; Dean Ralph Kummler of the College of Engineering; Professor Jerry Herron, director of the Honors Program; and several students who discussed a variety of topics, ranging from public perception of Wayne State to their career outlook in Michigan. During a phone interview with Patricia Caruso, director of the Michigan Department of Corrections, Caruso mentioned that her daughter will graduate this year from the WSU School of Medicine and she is proud of the fine education the daughter received here. Also interviewed was WSU alumnus Mike O'Hara, longtime sports reporter with The Detroit News. (WJR's signal reaches throughout Michigan and into neighboring states and Canada.)

A calendar of events lists the 7th Annual Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity Awards at St. Andrew's Hall on the WSU campus. Brief details are given.

A feature on the 'Elephant Man,' playing March 9-May 3 in rotating repertory at WSU's Hilberry Theatre, discusses the historical background of the play, notes the cast members as well as director David Magidson. Ticket information is given.

Wayne State University\'s School of Medicine and Crittenton Hospital Medical Center will train family medicine doctors starting this July. The collaboration is the medical school\'s first with a health system other than the Detroit Medical Center since WSU and the DMC reached a deal in November allowing each to establish some medical residency programs outside of their partnerships. The majority of Wayne State\'s 68 medical residency programs will remain jointly run with the DMC. \"We were looking for the best partner,\" said Dr. Maryjean Schenk, head of family medicine and public health sciences at the WSU's School of Medicine.

Wayne State University's Journalism Institute for Minorities program is getting a new name - Journalism Institute for Media Diversity. Professor Ben Burns, director of Wayne State's journalism program, said the change was prompted by the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) which provided for a statewide constitutional ban on affirmative action in government hiring and at state universities. "Our interest is in diversifying the media," Burns said. "We used MCRI to expand our thinking about what we're doing." Burns, who will make the formal announcement at a fundraiser this weekend, added that the institute studies the impact of diversity on media organizations and includes not only federally recognized minorities, but any person of any race or ethnic background with an interest in diversity.

WDET aired excerpts of Grace Lee Boggs' March 1 address at Wayne State University's Undergraduate Library which launched Woman's History Month. Detroit activist, philosopher and writer Boggs spoke about her life in feminism and movement building.

Sturgis Journal (Sturgis, Mich.), 3/1 An Associated Press story on the Auditor General's investigative report on the rising costs of higher education in Michigan, noted Wayne State along with several other state universities.

Dr. David Viano, director of the Sports Biomechanics Lab at Wayne State University, will take over as director of the NFL's concussion committee in the wake of Dr. Elliot Pellman's resignation. Viano, along with Dr. Ira Casson, a New York-based neurologist, will chair the committee. Neither doctor is associated with an NFL team.

Olivia Washington, professor at Wayne State University's College of Nursing and the Institute of Gerontology, received this year's Women of Wayne award for outstanding achievement and contributions to the community. A photo of Washington is included.

A report released last week by the Michigan Higher Education Land Policy Consortium (MIHELP) revealed that the condition of Michigan cities is "clearly unfavorable whether they are benchmarked against other cities in the nation, the counties in which they lie or the state in general." It is noted in the story that the MIHELP consortium has financial support from Wayne State University, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Grand Valley State University in concert with Public Sector Consultants.