Jeff Stoltman, professor of marketing, commented on how many retailers - including Wal-Mart - are smart to say "Merry Christmas" in their advertising instead of "Happy Holidays." After trying too hard to be politically correct, companies have realized that shoppers tend to associate Christmas with buying presents instead of a religious affiliation. "It's not the day - Dec. 25 - that Wal-Mart is talking about; it's the selling season," said Stoltman. "Christmas is traditionally more consistent with the selling season."

"Reasonable minds need to find a reasonable solution to end the fight between the Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University's Medical School," begins this editorial. The opinion piece looks at the reasons for the stalemate and the consequences if agreement cannot be reached. The Free Press calls for involvement by Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick in the talks between the two parties. "The consequences of this medical fight are too serious for him not to try to help end it," the newspaper concludes.

Some lawyers say it could take a dozen years to sort out the lawsuits that will be engendered by the passage of Proposition 2 in Tuesday's election. University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said she has questions about whether the initiative is lawful. Lansing lawyer Richard McLellan said he doesn't believe a Michigan constitutional provision making Wayne State, U-M and MSU partially autonomous from state government would insulate them from the effects of Proposal 2.

A sidebar accompanying a story about the aftermath of the passage of Proposal 2 in Tuesday's election takes the form of a Q&A. One question asks about the impact on students applying to public universities for next fall. Michael Boulus, executive director of the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan, points out that the University of Michigan is seeking court action to retain affirmative action through the end of the current application cycle. Other universities, such as Wayne State and Michigan State, are still determining how passage of the proposal will affect their admissions processes.

Alicia Nails, director of the Journalism Institute for Minorities here, commented on the death of veteran television newsman Ed Bradley from leukemia. "I'm impressed that he clearly was African American, yet he stood at the helm at something as mainstream and significant as '60 Minutes' for all these years," she said. "W.E.B. DuBois talked about the twoness of African Americans - to be American and to be black; well Ed Bradley experienced a threeness, if you will. He was an American, he was black, and he was a journalist, and everyone knows that's a whole different experience, too."

Columnist Jack Lessenberry, a member of the journalism faculty here, profiles U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn), who was re-elected on Nov. 7. The column also mentions that Dingell's wife, Debbie, was elected to the WSU Board of Governors.

A widely published AP story about Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, mentions that he is a Wayne State University alumnus. He is from a district in Minnesota that includes the University of Minnesota campus.

The Muslim Students' Association at Wayne State University will hold a Celebration of the Arts at 4 p.m. Saturday in WSU's Community Arts Auditorium. The event will feature artists from various areas, including poetry and comedy. Admission is free but tickets, available through the Dean of Students Office, are required. A contact number is provided.

In a letter to the editor, Phyllis Meadows, director of the Detroit Department of Health Wellness and Promotions, responded to an article that was critical of how the city operates its animal control facility. She points out that animals are not endangered because of the staffing level at the shelter and "we have partnered with Wayne State University to use the service of student veterinary technicians and have a citizen volunteer program." She says the facility is "a safe haven for animals."

The Wayne State University men's hockey team (2-6-0) broke its 3-game losing streak Saturday with a 5-3 victory in its first-ever game against Brown University (0-2-2). WSU had five goals - its second-highest total this season. Extensive game details are given in the article.

Three former Stoney Creek Junior Sabres are continuing their success on the ice with Wayne State University. Freshman Chelsea Burnett of the WSU women's ice hockey team was named College Hockey America's Rookie of the Week for her efforts in a 2-game sweep of Cornell University last week. Her goal in the first game tied the score at three as WSU went on to win 4-3, with sophomore Sam Poyton scoring the winning goal with 19 seconds to go. This was Poyton's seventh career game-winner and her first goal of the season, which moved her into third place all-time in career points with 50. Burnett's goal in the second game put WSU up 2-1. Senior Laura Monk, along with Poyton and Burnett, were also teammates in high school. Last year at WSU, Monk had 29 goals and 16 assists for 45 points. She was named to the All-College Hockey America's First Team and the All-CHA Rookie Team. So far, WSU is 3-5-0 this season. The article includes a photo of Burnett.

A story about reaction to the passage of Proposal 2 references a statement issued Wednesday by Wayne State University. The ban on the use of affirmative action policies to eliminate barriers to women and minorities by public schools and governments is to go into effect in 45 days, which would be Dec. 22. Noting his disappointment with the passage of Proposal 2, Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid said in a statement Wednesday that he recognizes the importance of the rule of law and respects the voters\' decision. The president of WSU, where about 7,000 Oakland County residents are students, has asked members of his team to do a comprehensive review of programs to determine the impact and what is and is not affected by the new constitutional ban on affirmative action. \"All our activities should promote diversity and inclusion, and they should all be consistent with any applicable legal requirements,\" Reid said. \"If necessary, we will develop alternatives to our present policies and determine methods for implementation that make sense during this time period.\"

The statement from Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid regarding the passage of Proposal 2 is also noted in a story about legal challenges to the affirmative action ban. Reid restated the university's commitment to diversity in the statement and added that programs will be examined to ensure they comply with the law.

Wayne State plans to expand its academic offerings in Macomb County adding seven new academic programs to the nine it currently offers at the Macomb Community College's University Center. Officials made the announcement after a Wayne State Board of Governors meeting Wednesday at the center. "We're enhancing what we offer in Macomb County," said Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid. Wayne State is offering the courses to keep pace with Macomb County's growth, Reid said. A listing of the new WSU program offerings is included.

Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid commented in a story about expansion of services and programs in Macomb County. \"We pride ourselves on being one of the premier urban universities in Michigan and the nation, but we are not confined to an urban landscape.\" Macomb County has long been known as a blue collar community with a heavy emphasis on manufacturing and automotive-related jobs that have been dwindling in number due to the faltering economy. Currently, only 18 percent of local residents over the age of 25 have bachelor\'s degrees. But in the changing global economy, more workers face re-training while those new to the workplace will need an advanced educational background to compete, Wayne State officials said. \"A college degree is more than essential today,\" said Ahmad Ezzeddine, assistant dean of executive and professional development. \"These days a college degree is the equivalent of a high school degree 10 or 15 years ago. It\'s a must to have a viable career.\" Albert Lorenzo, president of Macomb Community College, said he was excited by Wayne State\'s ambitious plans. He said the University Center\'s enrollment has exceeded projections to the point where another 40,000-square-foot building for the center is under construction.

A story about research that focuses on cognitive impairment in the elderly features Peter Lichtenberg, director of Wayne State's Institute of Gerontology. Given the importance that quality of education may play in cognitive functioning later in life, Lichtenberg has concentrated his research on developing more accurate tests for people who often didn't get a chance to receive a good education when they were young. Lichtenberg was encountering seniors, mostly African-American patients, who had suffered injuries such as leg fractures as a result of falls, often in their homes. He was concerned that physicians treating the seniors didn't seem to be catching evidence of cognitive decline and dementia, even though the seniors' injuries from falls and walking problems were often connected to their cognitive health. Studies authored by Lichtenberg are cited in the article.

Wayne State University law professor Robert Sedler commented about the fallout from Tuesday\'s general election which will bring changes at all levels of government, according to politicians and political analysts. \"The framers of the Constitution wanted the people that were dissatisfied with the government to have the ability to change it. What we saw on Tuesday was a great deal of dissatisfaction with Congress,\" Sedler said.

Guy Stern, distinguished professor of German and Slavic studies at Wayne State University, will introduce and discuss the film titled "The Ritchie Boys," showing at the 2006 Nashville Jewish Film Festival on Nov. 13.

ATTRACTIONS A brief notes a photographic tribute to Motown architecture captured in "American City: Detroit Architecture 1845-2005" (Wayne State University Press). The book, which is featured at 5201 Woodward through Nov. 18, includes 80 Giclee prints by William Zbaren.

"Hambone" examines the generational and social effects of racial hatred that still exist today captured in humor and drama. Wayne State University's Department of Theatre's Ph.D. Directors' Series is featuring this presentation at the Studio Theatre Nov. 16-18. Ticket and contact information is provided.