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Grosse Pointe Park man gives $7 million for student science studies

Paul Schaap, a former Wayne State University chemistry professor, has donated $7 million to Hope College , his alma mater. The money will be used to fund student research projects and to pay for a science building completed in 2004 and named after Schaap. At WSU, he developed an innovative method of producing chemical light that could be applied to medical diagnoses. Schaap and his wife Carol helped establish an endowed chair in chemistry and a graduate stipend fund for Wayne State graduate students.

Book predicts Great Lakes water battles will intensify

A review of "The Great Lakes Water Wars," a new book by former Newsweek correspondent Peter Annin, includes comments by Noah Hall, WSU environmental law professor and one of Annin's sources for the book. Hall says he initially considered the title of the book hyperbolic but changed his mind after reading it. "Peter documents over 20 years of fights over Great Lakes water and clearly shows that those fights were just the first round of what's going to be many long battles," he explains. This AP story was picked up widely by newspapers in the Midwest and elsewhere in the country.

Will teachers go back?

Law professor Robert Sedler is quoted in a story about the Detroit Public Schools teachers strike. A Wayne County judge on Friday ordered the teachers back to work, but it was not clear when classes would resume. Sedler said it is rare for a judge to intervene so early in a strike but he is not surprised in this instance, since the strike is causing Detroit public schools to lose students. But he pointed out that, if the school district stops bargaining in good faith, the judge could withdraw the injunction against the striking teachers.

Aftereffects of September 11 attacks are still being felt on campuses, survey finds

American colleges are still feeling the aftereffects of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, particularly in areas like visa rules, international faculty exchanges, curriculum offerings, and campus risk-management and security planning, according to a report released this week by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. International offices at colleges have developed new positions, channeled millions of dollars of financing, and devoted thousands of work hours to meet Sevis guidelines, according to college officials. In written comments accompanying their survey answers, respondents noted changes such as a shift in focus from programmatic and cross-cultural interests to compliance and data maintenance. Others said the processing of visas now occupies significantly more staff time.

Fewer U.S. students completing college

The United States is seventh and falling when ranked world-wide by its proportion of students completing college, as tuition becomes increasingly unaffordable, according to the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. The center also gave 43 of the 50 states - including Michigan - a failing grade for their ability to make college affordable for their citizens. Two years ago, 36 states received a failing grade. A major problem is the decline in how much is covered by the Pell Grant, the main federal subsidy to low-income students, the National Center said. The average Pell Grant covered 76 percent of tuition at 4-year colleges and universities in 1990-91; it now covers only 48 percent.

WSU gets marketing accreditation

The International Advertising Association (IAA) has announced its accreditation of the Wayne State University School of Business Administration's marketing communications curriculum. IAA based its decision on a review of courses, faculty qualifications and resources available to students. In addition to receiving their WSU diploma upon earning their undergraduate degree in marketing communications, students will also receive an IAA diploma. Academic Associate Dean Richard Beltramini, a member of the marketing faculty, noted that WSU is proud to add this distinction to the school's credentials.

Strike worsens crisis gripping Detroit schools

This article about the teachers strike in the Detroit Public Schools system includes comments by Monte Piliawsky, associate professor in the College of Education . "It's always painful to downsize because there are fewer resources to have a quality enterprise," he points out. "But Detroit has no choice because at some point you have to balance the budget. The question is: What can you do to cut costs without interfering with the quality of delivery of services."

Business journal aims for niche

Ben Burns, head of the journalism program, comments in this article about the challenges facing a new Detroit business publication called DBusiness, which is edited by former Detroit News business reporter R.J. King. "The track record in this market for business magazines has been dismal," Burns observes. "The bottom line in terms of survivability has nothing to do with content; it has to do with the advertising base. That's going to be the concern. Who are the advertisers who will stick with it?"

Rouge to vote on rule changes

Union workers at Ford Motor Co.'s Rouge complex in Dearborn will vote this week on whether to accept work rule changes that the automaker and UAW officials say are necessary to secure future work at the site and to protect jobs. The proposal is controversial because some workers resent Ford's asking for changes to work rules outside the normal contract bargaining cycle. "I can see why workers would be opposed to it," said professor James Martin of the School of Business Administration and identified as "a labor professor" in the story. "It's gotten to be very tough to be a worker in the auto industry when all they ask you to do is to take concessions." He also pointed out that when factories can't be competitive they stand to lose work to foreign countries or non-union companies.

School strike law faces test

By not ordering Detroit school teachers back to work at a Tuesday hearing, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Susan Borman has come under fire by several local and state leaders who contend she ignored a state law outlawing strikes by public employees. On Tuesday, Borman questioned the constitutionality of the law and delayed a decision. Professor Robert Sedler, an expert on constitutional law here, said the judge's concern is legitimate and that "there are some serious questions about constitutionality." Meanwhile, Senate Republicans said yesterday they are working to close any loopholes in the 1994 law against strikes. Ari Adler, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema said he is not sure the Legislature can be any clearer regarding a judge's responsibility regarding rulings on public strikes. He said Borman may just be a "renegade judge."

Wayne State to honor Dr. Blanchard

Wayne State University will dedicate its newly renovated track on Sept. 9 in honor of Lowell "Pat" Blanchard. He was one of WSU's first track stars during the 1920s, when the school was still City College of Detroit. The 1926 alumnus also trained for the 1928 Olympics and graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in 1930. He and his wife Lucille have been staunch WSU supporters. "There is a remarkable history of athletic performance at WSU dating back to 1917 and Dr. Blanchard represents the start of that impressive tradition," said Rob Fournier, director of athletics.

Author of Lancet article on Haiti investigated

The prestigious British medical journal The Lancet is investigating complaints about a possible conflict of interest involving one of the authors of a recent article that found systemic human rights violations in Haiti despite the presence of a Canadian-led United Nations police force. The article's co-author, Athena Kolbe is a graduate student in the WSU School of Social Work. Critics contend that she used to be an advocacy journalist who wrote under a pen name and worked at a Haitian orphanage founded by ousted Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Her report about human rights violations cannot be considered objective, they say.

Birmingham official to appeal tax ruling

Birmingham City Commissioner Stuart Sherman plans to appeal a state ruling that he owes more than $14,000 in back taxes because the city underestimated the true value of his home. An adjunct law professor at Wayne State University , Sherman said he respect's the State Commission's ruling that he owes the money but he disagrees with it. "Until now, I have not had an opportunity to present evidence in support of my position," he said. He plans to appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal, a quasi-judicial body.

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