In the news

Grand Valley, Northern Michigan universities raise tuition

Grand Valley State University and Northern Michigan University approved tuition increases Monday of 5.9 percent and 4.8 percent respectively. In addition to Grand Valley and Northern, three other universities have already raised tuition. Last month, Saginaw Valley State University increased tuition 4.9 percent, Michigan Technological University increased tuition 8.75 percent and Lake Superior State University raised tuition 5 percent. The state's three largest universities - University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University - are expected to set their tuition rates later this month.

Mushroom drug produces mystical experience, changes attitudes, study says

Charles Schuster, professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at Wayne State University and a former director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, called recent research on the illicit hallucinogen drug, psilocybin, a landmark. "I believe this is one of the most rigorously well-controlled studies ever done\'\' to evaluate psilocybin or similar substances for their potential to increase self-awareness and a sense of spirituality, he said. The study is one of the few rigorous looks in the past 40 years at a hallucinogen\'s effects. The researchers suggest the drug someday may help drug addicts kick their habit or aid terminally ill patients struggling with anxiety and depression.

ROCHELLE RILEY: John Parks - in between foster care and hopes of studying nursing

In her column on Michigan's foster care system and the problems facing youth who age out (leave foster care system at 18 years of age), Rochelle Riley refers to a survey released last month by Wayne State University's Research Group on Homelessness and Poverty. The survey revealed that more than 49 percent of the youth who aged out in 2002 and 2003 in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties were homeless at some point during their first three years on their own. The study also found that 25.4% were homeless immediately after aging out, while 36% had to return to the homes they were originally removed from; and 16.7% lived on the streets, in cars or in abandoned buildings.

Cooley gets OK to expand in Rochester, Grand Rapids

The American Bar Association has approved Thomas M. Cooley Law School\'s request to establish full, three-year degree programs at campuses in Oakland and Kent counties. The bar association, which has the authority to certify law schools, previously had rejected the Lansing-based school\'s plans to expand course offerings at campuses in Rochester and Grand Rapids, partly because of concerns about the performance of its students, especially on the Michigan State Bar examination.

Wayne State brings in retail

A lead feature story in the "Metro Section" focuses on Wayne State's expansion of its campus atmosphere with several new retail businesses. Over the past two years, the university has added more than 20,000 square-feet of retail space, and expects to see more than $850,000 in rental income this fiscal year. \"It\'s all about providing services and choices,\" said Nabelah Ghareeb, assistant vice president for business and auxiliary operations. She predicts another increase in rental income next year of 15 percent. The rise in retail activity can be attributed to Wayne State\'s first capital campaign, which will fund about $142 million in building improvements at the medical, law, engineering and business administration schools. Under the leadership of Wayne State University President Irvin D. Reid, WSU is moving from a campus with an inward focus, to an interactive community integrated with its neighborhoods. By November, retailers will line most of the east side of Anthony Wayne Drive between Ferry and Warren, exuding a feeling of old Woodward Avenue, said Ghareeb. A photo is included showing the food court in the Student Center Building.

UM looks to double the size of executive MBA program

Wayne State University Provost Nancy Barrett commented in a story about the nationwide enrollment decline among international students in graduate programs. For the past several years, there has been a decline in applications nationwide for graduate programs primarily because many international students had difficulty getting visas after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Barrett said. She added that Wayne State's applications for the MBA program are up about 20 percent over 2005-06. And much of that interest is coming from foreign students. A sidebar item includes MBA enrollment at Michigan's universities and colleges including Wayne State.

Michigan falls off in pursuit of tax cheats

Peter Henning, Wayne State law professor, was quoted in an article about the dwindling percentages of criminal tax investigations being completed by the Michigan State Police. Henning said tax investigations are a time-consuming and document-intensive process, and that they are not nearly as appealing to an investigator as a homicide, or any other immediate crime. The Michigan State Police completed just nine criminal tax investigations last year, in a state with more than 6 million business and individual tax payers.

Tuition trauma could ease: Michigan college students' costs may not jump as high

Wayne State University is mentioned in an Associated Press story as receiving a 2.5 percent increase in state funding, if a tentative agreement is approved on July 21. Governor Jennifer Granholm and Republican legislative leaders agreed to a funding package which provided for an average 3 percent funding increase to Michigan's 15 public colleges and universities beginning Oct. 1. A sidebar shows a list of the proposed funding increases to each institution including Wayne State.

Macomb briefs

The Macomb County Coalition for Affirmative Action will hold a rally Wednesday in Clinton Township to educate voters about the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. Wayne State University Law School Dean Frank Wu will be the keynote speaker at a forum about the initiative, which, if approved by voters in November, would ban public university and governments in Michigan from using race and gender in admissions and hiring decisions. The rally will begin at the Macomb Intermediate School District\'s Clinton Township office, Wednesday at 6 p.m. Contact information is provided.

Ethanol should fuel Michigan 's future

In an op-ed piece promoting use of ethanol as an alternative to gasoline, U.S. Senator Carl Levin mentions Wayne State among universities that are researching methods for making ethanol from cellulose. Also working on the challenge are Michigan Technological University , Michigan State University and NextEnergy. Levin writes that by establishing itself as a leader in ethanol research and development, the state of Michigan has a "golden opportunity" to play a role in reducing atmospheric emissions as well as revitalizing its manufacturing industry.

Tuition trauma could ease for Michigan college students

The above newspapers from smaller market areas in Michigan were among those that ran an AP story about a proposed agreement between Gov. Granholm and Michigan Republican legislative leaders to increase funding for public universities. Under the measure, projected funding increases would range from 2.5 percent for Wayne State to 6 percent at Grand Valley State . "It's a clear signal we feel investment in higher education is an investment in our economy," said Greg Bird, a spokesman for the state Budget Office.

Wayne State strength coach learned the hard way

Wayne State selected Paul Harker, former All-Big Ten offensive lineman at Michigan State University , as the new strength and conditioning coach. Harker was an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2003. Overcoming several injuries throughout his playing career, Harker never wavered in his own weight training. He earned the MSU Iron Man Award and was a recipient of the Biggie Munn Award as the Spartans' most inspirational player. Harker earned his master's degree in Kinesiology this spring. He has served as MSU's graduate strength and conditioning coach for the past two years. "Paul brings a Division 1 approach to our strength and conditioning program," said Rob Fournier, Wayne State athletic director. "He understands commitment, strong work habits and the dedication necessary to achieve goals. We need to further nurture those traits among all our student athletes." A photo of Harker is included.

Rick Snyder interviewed on "Leaders on Leadership"

\"Leaders on Leadership,\" the weekly television series co-produced by Wayne State University's School of Business Administration and Detroit Public Television, featured Rick Snyder, chairman of the board, Gateway Computers and also founder/ceo of Ardesta LLC. After helping turn a major computer manufacturer into an innovative market leader, Snyder created his own venture capital firm bringing nanotechnology and microsystems into the commercial marketplace.

Alonzo mourning plays offense against kidney disease

In this story by NBC Kentucky affiliate LEX18, Dr. Robert Provenzano, professor at Wayne State\'s School of Medicine, offers an expert viewpoint on the kidney ailments of Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning, who suffers from focal glomeruloscerosis. Provenzano said that 75 percent of kidney-disease cases are linked to widespread conditions such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. \"What happens with diabetes and hypertension is that the kidney\'s blood-filtering units are damaged. That means that blood no longer goes to them, and blood doesn\'t get cleaned,\" he said. \"Anemia is an early sign that something may be wrong with your kidneys,\" he said.