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In this report on the birth control pill issue, the station interviews Dr. Susan Hendrix, who points out that the earlier-announced findings of the report were preliminary and that "we are still looking at how to do the right analysis of the data." The news anchorperson noted that the university has pledged to publish its findings after reviewing the data.

December 16, 2004

Analysis: affirmative action stirs debate

Frank Wu, dean of the Law School, is quoted in a UPI wire service story about the latest controversy over affirmative action programs regarding law school admissions. UCLA law professor Richard Sander contends in a study that affirmative action programs are harmful for black law school students. He says the number of black lawyers may decrease because of the attrition rates caused by admitting students who can't do the work. Opponents claim his data is flawed. Wu points out that Sander uses old data from 2001 to support his conclusion that without affirmative action there would only be a 14 percent decline in the number of African-American applicants. More recent data would show a more significant 35-45 percent decline, Wu believes. "What is certain," he says, is if law schools were to adopt Sander's policies there is little doubt that colleges and universities will become segregated."

December 16, 2004

Federal inquiry begins into whether colleges broke election laws

The Federal Election Commission is investigating whether colleges violated a ban on corporate donations to political campaigns by allowing controversial filmmaker Michael Moore to appear on their campuses during the presidential election campaign and paying him a speaker's fee. David Hardy, an Arizona lawyer, filed complaints against a dozen institutions. In the complaint letter, Hardy quotes from Moore's speeches, including one at Wayne State University, where he said, "We're visiting all 20 battleground states, and our goal is to remove George W. Bush from the White House."

December 16, 2004

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This NPR station in New York City interviewed Professor Jeffrey Abt of the Art and Art History Department about a King Tut exhibit that is scheduled for a U.S. tour. The exhibit has stirred controversy because of a projected $30 admission fee and the fact that it is being organized by a for-profit group on behalf of the Egyptian government. WNYC, claiming over a million listeners, is reportedly the largest public radio station in the country.

December 16, 2004

Men's hockey players listed in national statistics

Several Wayne State University men\'s hockey players are listed among the nation\'s best in this week\'s NCAA statistical report. Freshmen forwards Tylor Michel and Stavros Paskaris are tied for third in the country with 20 other skaters with two short-handed goals. Sophomore right wing Nate Higgins is tied for fourth in the country with three game-winning goals.

December 16, 2004

State panel: Make college goal of all

Paula Wood, dean of Wayne State's College of Education, commented in a story about the Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth report, led by Lt. Gov. John Cherry. The report, containing 19 recommendations on how the state can double the number of students graduating from colleges in 10 years, emphasizes the need to encourage K-12 children to pursue higher education and not just focus on a high school diploma. "The recommendation that the state make a cultural shift from expecting all children to graduate high school to expecting all children to get postsecondary degrees is a good one, Wood said. "By sixth or eighth grade, children are making up their mind" about college. You have to start earlier than that - in kindergarten, preschool - saying that school doesn't end at 12th grade."

December 16, 2004

2 in terror trial face new charge

La professor Peter Henning, a former federal prosecutor, commented about the June 2003 trial of two men charged with supporting terrorism following the raid of a Detroit apartment six days after the Sept. 11 attacks. Henning said if the men are convicted, they would typically face no more than six months imprisonment under federal sentencing guidelines.

December 16, 2004

Pill study is flawed, feds say

Federal officials Wednesday backed away from the findings of two major studies on birth control pills, saying the research was flawed and that a new analysis shows there is no evidence that oral contraceptives cut the risk of heart disease. John Oliver, vice president for research at Wayne State, said the scientists were reviewing their work and would have no comment now. "They want to look at the data. They're in contact with the Women's Health Initiative about how to proceed," he said. The university also issued a statement apologizing for any confusion caused by the studies, which it points out are preliminary, and pledged to publish full results whey they are available.

December 16, 2004

People on the move

Education: Jeff Trzeciak, director of Wayne State University's library computing and media services, was named associate dean of the library system.

December 16, 2004

Ruptered gas line causes university evacuations

A ruptured gas line caused the evacuation of five Wayne State University buildings Wednesday afternoon. A contractor struck a gas line while working on a water main in the area of West Kirby near campus. Five buildings were evacuated, including the campus residence of Wayne State President Irvin D. Reid. The gas leak was capped at about 4:30 p.m. and building occupants were allowed to return.

December 16, 2004

Supreme Court sidesteps decision in Michigan case about poor defendants

Wayne State Professor David Moran commented about the U.S. Supreme Court passing up a chance to decide whether Michigan can deny state-funded appeals to defendants who have pleaded guilty. \"Michigan officials are proceeding at their peril if they follow this law, which is certainly in question.\"

December 15, 2004

Woods man among WSU honorees

Daniel Levin, a senior at Wayne State University, will receive the David D. Henry Award during the university's winter commencement ceremonies on Dec. 16. A photo of Levin accompanies the story.

December 15, 2004

University board races offer accurate snapshot of divisions

This article looked at partisan voting trends within the West Bloomfield by looking at the university board. It cited that the West Bloomfield vote for the Wayne State Board of Governors went just over 50 percent Democratic.

December 15, 2004

Instructor teaches importance of effective communication

A profile on JuJuan Taylor, a communication arts professor at Schoolcraft College mentions that she also is an adjunct professor at Wayne State. "My standards are very high for both urban and suburban students," she says.

December 15, 2004

Ford Health System CEO empowers women at event

Heather Dillaway, professor of gender studies at Wayne State, commented about a lecture delivered by Henry Ford Health System President and CEO Nancy Schlichting. "Hearing a successful woman explain how she got where she is, step-by-step, is so necessary for today's career women who are sometimes looked down on for their drive and assertiveness," Dillaway said. "There's great value in women gathering and seeing firsthand how other females carve out a niche that suits them in a work world that often caters to the male lifestyle."

December 15, 2004

Men's basketball hosts top-ranked Virginia Union

The Wayne State University men\'s basketball team hosts top-ranked Virginia Union this Saturday, Dec. 18, at 1 p.m. The story notes that the Wayne State University Athletic Department is supporting the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots program by offering four tickets for each donated unwrapped toy at the game.

December 15, 2004

Granholm: Higher-ed funding deserves another look

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who last year said there was too much "fat" in higher education budgets, said she's changed her mind about the priority colleges and universities should get in state appropriations. Higher education has been hit with more than $200 million in cuts since Granholm took office in 2003, while K-12 education has been largely protected. Following the release Wednesday of Lt. Gov. John Cherry's report recommending ways to double the number of Michigan adults holding degrees or career-oriented certificates in the next decade, Granholm said having a highly educated population is the most important factor to a state's economy. There is an overwhelming correlation. There is more of a correlation than business taxes, more of a correlation than almost any other factor," she said. "…I wish I had known sooner."

December 15, 2004

People on the Move

Awards: Michigan State Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi, D-Farmington Hills, a first-term legislator in the Michigan House who serves on the Education Committee and the Senior Health, Security and Retirement Committee, will receive a Distinguished Alumni award during Wayne State's winter commencement ceremonies at Cobo Arena. Fellowships: Wayne State English Professor Arthur F. Marotti, vice president of the Wayne State University Academy of Scholars, was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship for the academic year 2005-06.

December 15, 2004

People in the News

Wayne State seniors Daniel Levin and Alexandria Conley will receive the David D. Henry Award during the university's winter commencement ceremonies at Cobo Arena. The award is given to a man and a woman in the graduating class who have distinguished themselves through leadership, service and academic achievement.

December 15, 2004

Jury doesn't buy Seaman's story

Wayne State University Law Professor Peter Henning was quoted on the first-degree murder conviction of Nancy Seaman. Henning said the jury could have found Seaman guilty of involuntary manslaughter, but the panel wasn't buying Seaman's self-defense plea. "Given the circumstances of what she did after killing her husband -- cleaning the scene and wrapping the body in a tarp -- that's a sign that this was planned," Henning said.

December 15, 2004