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Alternative Energy Research Revs Up in TechTown

NextEnergy Center , Michigan \'s alternative energy accelerator, opened its research facilities last week in Detroit \'s TechTown technology park. NextEnergy Center is a non-profit corporation founded to advance the alternative energy technology industry in Michigan by promoting and funding R&D projects and technology commercialization. The center is 45,000 square feet and has eight research and development labs, an 80-seat auditorium, training rooms and exhibit space. A photo of the NextEnergy Center is provided.

Private college tuition increases low

Keith Pretty, president of Walsh College , wrote in an op-ed that his college has managed to keep its tuition increases among the lowest in Michigan . Unlike public universities, Walsh College , a private institution, has kept the undergraduate tuition increase at 2.5 percent. The reason for the low tuition increases, Pretty wrote, is generous alumni, friends and donors, many of whom provide need- and merit-based scholarships that make a Walsh education accessible for many students.

FTC Recusals Create Complications

Wayne State University Law School Professor Stephen Calkins commented about FTC Chairman Deborah Majoras and her decision to frequently recuse herself from major proceedings that involve clients of her former law firm Jones Day, where her husband, John Majoras, is still employed. The practice of avoiding any contact with cases that may involve conflict of interest has become more problematic as Washington professionals cycle between government service and private sector jobs. \"It might be better if there were some agreed-upon standard,\" Calkins said. \"Allowing people to decide for themselves could be difficult. That\'s inevitably going to lead to criticism that you are either too lax or too critical.\"

Should UM become a private school?

In her weekly column, Crain's publisher Mary Kramer raises the question of whether the University of Michigan should become a private school. "Of the state's 15 public universities, UM relies on public dollars least," she writes. "The $318 million in state money it gets is less than 10 percent of its general operating budget." Kramer cites a published interview with Robert Beam, CFO of Western Michigan University, who reportedly said CFOs of the 15 universities think it is just a matter of time. "Privatizing could free UM from state tuition restraints," Kramer says, noting that the Ann Arbor university "long has been the 'affordable' alternative to Ivy League schools."

Slow response to Katrina mars GOP for black voters

Ron Brown, professor of political science, comments about the political ramifications of Hurricane Katrina on the Republican Party's ability to retain and recruit black voters. \"If they\'re basically going to take away from education, Medicaid and other programs that help poor people, it may have a negative effect on the party\'s ability to recruit blacks in the future who are young and educated." Brown says he didn\'t think Bush would lose blacks already in his party, but his ability to recruit them depends on the administration\'s policies in other areas.

Plan to privatize roads may have bumps

Ellen Dannin, WSU law professor who specializes in privatization and labor law, is quoted in a story about a proposal by Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to turn over two of the state's freeways to private owners. The article points out that in states where privatization has been tried, there has been an almost immediate increase in tolls. "There has always been some private-sector involvement in building roads," Dannin said. "Now there's more involvement at a deeper level, the financing level. And it's had a powerful effect in terms of what's happening out there."

Granholm guarantees funding for higher ed

Michigan's universities will receive at least $3,650 per student under the fiscal year 2006 budget approved by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Friday. Previous budget plans would have cut more than $30 million from higher education. Michigan State , Wayne State and the University of Michigan will receive at least $8,139 per student under the new budget. This is the first time the state has worked to ensure that all universities receive a fixed amount of money, according to Ari Adler, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema.

Attorneys: Race won't hinder trials

The upcoming trials of 10 African-American men accused of murder or perjury in a Mt. Pleasant incident involving the beating death of a man outside a bar has raised questions about whether the defendants can receive a fair trial in a predominantly white community. Wayne State law professor David Moran explained that "all that matters is that the jury is representative of the community." He said he has represented many black defendants, sometimes in rural areas, and racial profiling is always a concern. "You do worry about such things," he said, "and you just hope that the jury is fair-minded and goes on the facts, not racial attitudes."

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