Wayne State University

Warrior strong
Login
Search

In the news

Book lawsuit could hobble Internet

A suit brought by five book publishers against Google for copyright infringement could spell the end regarding how information searches on the Internet are carried out. The publishers claim that Google is exceeding the free use of limited portions provision of the law by making digital copies of entire books. Professor Jessica Litman, who teaches Internet law at Wayne State University , points out that Google intends to use only limited extracts from books for an index, and indexes traditionally have been deemed fair use under the law.

Turnaround leads mayor to a surprising victory

Lyke Thompson, director of the Center for Urban Studies here, is quoted in a story about Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick's come-from-behind victory in Tuesday's election. Helped by vigorous campaigning and a widely televised eulogy at Rosa Parks' funeral, the incumbent mayor won 53 percent of the vote, compared to Hendrix's 47 percent, confounding pollsters who had predicted an easy victory for Hendrix. Now, the question is whether Kilpatrick can lead the city in the type of turnaround he pulled off in his own campaign. "The elephant in the room is the deficit," Thompson points out. The city projects a shortfall of $130 million to $300 million this year and has been trying to bridge the gap by cutting back on services and laying off personnel, including police officers.

Freshman numbers at record high

A story about freshmen enrollment at public universities includes a comment by WSU Provost Nancy Barrett. The story indicates that freshman enrollment in the state is up overall this year, to 40,536, according to the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan . But freshmen enrollment at some universities, including Wayne State , is down. Barrett said the drop, from 3,120 to 2,879, was somewhat anticipated because WSU had large freshmen increases in 2003 and 2004. "We've been growing by leaps and bounds, and I think this is a correction," she said.

'Elimination communication' is hot topic in potty training world

Carolynn Rowland, a nurse and researcher in the WSU School of Medicine, is quoted in a story about a new method of infant potty training. The method involves starting toilet training before children can talk or walk. Rowland has reservations about the method. "My concern is if you put the onus on the child to do something you want them to do that they're not capable of doing, you may be setting them up for problems, and you're putting a whole lot of pressure on them," she said. The story ran on the Knight Ridder newswire.

Multiple sclerosis diagnostic guidelines updated

This and other online newsletters carried this item about an international panel of neurologists updating guidelines for diagnosing multiple sclerosis. Among those quoted is Dr. Robert Lisak of Wayne State University . He is chair of the American Neurological Association's public information committee. "The changes in diagnostic criteria for primary progressive multiple sclerosis are particularly helpful," he said. "The ability to make the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis early and accurately is important for both patient care and for clinical research. . . ."

Michigan's affirmative-action battle is not over yet

The "Ways and Means" column notes that a three-judge panel of the Michigan Court of Appeals last week ordered the Michigan Board of Canvassers to certify a November 2006 ballot measure that would amend the state's constitution to ban race- and gender-based preferences in university admissions. If approved by voters, the measure could preclude the University of Michigan from benefiting from its own landmark legal victory, a 2003 ruling upholding its law school's use of race-conscious admissions.

Legal battle spotlight finds Beverly Hills couple

Dr. Kathleen Moltz, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of pediatric endocrinology and diabetes at Wayne State 's School of Medicine , and her partner Dahlia Schwartz, are featured in a story about providing health insurance to the partners of gay and lesbian workers. Both are plaintiffs in a lawsuit that drew national attention and led to Moltz testifying before lawmakers in Washington , D.C. The story notes that the couple's health insurance is provided through Wayne State University . The plaintiffs won a lower-court ruling in September allowing public employers, such as state and public universities, to provide health insurance to gay couples. But last week, in response to a request from state Attorney General Mike Cox, the Michigan Court of Appeals halted implementation of that ruling until the appeal can be heard.

Still Way Overdue

Jack Lessenberry, a member of Wayne State 's journalism faculty, opines about recent honors bestowed upon civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo. Last week, Wayne State University 's Organization of Black Alumni (OBA) honored Viola Liuzzo with its top award at its annual banquet. When Liuzzo died, she was a student at Wayne State . Tara Young, a member of the OBA, has been fighting to get WSU to give Liuzzo a posthumous degree, but so far the university has said no. "They say they have rules that they can't give a degree to a dead person," Young says. "That's the least they could do after her sacrifice." Lessenberry concludes that Liuzzo deserves an honorary degree from the nursing school and that "there ought to be something on campus named for her."

WSU Honors Community Peacemakers

Wayne State University \'s Center for Peace and Conflict Studies hosts its 2005 Community Peacemaker Awards Nov. 19, the eve of the center\'s 40th anniversary. The awards honor those who have made a difference in promoting peace and social understanding in our community. The event, with emcee Huel Perkins of Fox 2 News and keynote speaker Shirley Stancato of New Detroit Inc., will take place at the WSU McGregor Memorial Conference Center at 6 p.m.

Privacy and University Policies

Wayne State University © 2023