Tag: Universities

"Recently, I wrote a blog about concerns expressed by former Professor of aerospace engineering, William Kauffman. He has asserted, and has been saying for several years now, that the University of Michigan, and other universities in the United States are transferring sensitive military technologies to Chinese Nationals who are enrolled as students.

...

According to a report just issued by the U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION, "Chinese military writings advocate attacks on space-to ground communications links and ground-based satellite control facilities in the event of a conflict. The report noted that in [two] instances, "The responsible party achieved all steps required to command the satellite but did not issue commands."  "

Of course if all they want to do is pirate the NBC broadcast of 'Parks and Rec'  then "so what?"

If ever there was an argument for Right To  Work, it is being made somewhere near the middle of the state.

If I had to guess, I would bet there are instructors at CMU that aren't real comfortable participating in an illegal strike.  Imagine how a young instructor, who feels fortunate enough to have found employment in Michigan, must feel when told by his/her bosses, (the union) that he/she cannot go to work.

Rock? Meet hard place.

"Following several rounds of unsuccessful contract talks, the Central Michigan University faculty union said it would strike on the first day of classes today, affecting more than 21,000 students."

In the end, this could actually be an opportunity. But first let us consider the negatives for some.

The thought of being fired for breaking the law, and possibly losing bennies and an income that most in the private sector would love to have, ought to give pause to such reckless actions.  Incomes listed below are as of 2010, and do not include other income such as per diem, paid training, and other benefits.  What has to be tough, is for those instructors who already get paid considerably less than their professorial counterparts, and must also participate or face ongoing vitriolic response from those who would work to see them removed in the future.

The CMU board of trustees has a tough job to be sure. From the CMU Board of Trustees page:

"... the board retains ultimate responsibility for academic matters and reserves authority over such areas as the mission and goals of the institution; admissions and retention policies; policies governing intercollegiate programs; faculty promotions, sabbatical leaves and tenure; establishing fees; accepting gifts; naming facilities; and a number of other areas."

The offer by the university?  It apparently was a 0% increase in pay.  After bargaining with the union for the fluff, it (0 percent) was probably all that was left. I would have to imagine that in order to ensure such things as solvency, those decisions are somewhat necessary.

Elected representatives ordinarily can be expected to advocate on behalf of their local constituents. Once in a while, they even rise above local politics to work on something that will benefit a broader area, such as the county, the region, or the state they serve.

Then there are those politicians who, inexplicably, do stupid things that do not benefit anyone.

Say hello to Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith, a Democrat from Washtenaw County. On June 3, she introduced a bill into the Michigan House of Representatives that is so ocntrary to common sense that merely to state its content is to ridicule it.

First, a little background. The Michigan Competitive Scholarship program awards scholarships to students pursuing their first degrees at approved Michigan postsecondary institutions. Students must demonstrate both financial need and merit, and eligible applicants must achieve a qualifying ACT score prior to entering ocllege. The scholarships are awarded to three or more students in each legislative district.

Good idea, right? Helps kids who need the money and have demonstrated the ability to succeed in college. What could be more appropriate?

Rep. Smith obviously has a different idea. On June 3, she introduced HB 5039, which would prohibit any Michigan competitive scholarship from being awarded this year or at any time in the future. Why? What could possibly justify this move? I called Rep. Smith's office to ask, but there was no answer.

With the economy reeling, we need to make sure our foundations are sound. Our taxing and spending has to create and foster an entrepreneurial environment, and our educational system must encourage performance at a high level for all our citizens.

The Michigan competitive scholarship is a small part of the education effort, but it sends an important signal -- we are committed to helping those who need the help but who have also demonstrated the ability. Perhaps Rep. Smith objects to the merit requirement? We may never know, but that would be consistent with another change she proposed, one which really makes no sense.

The current law denies scholarship funds to persons who are incarcerated. HB 5039 takes this away, such that persons residing in our state prisons would be eligible for the scholarships. This is bad, but it's also nonsensical since the same bill eliminates the scholarships altogether, so why make prisoners eligible for them?

What puts the frosting on the cake is the fact that Rep. Smith's district includes Eastern Michigan University (The Wiz's undergraduate alma mater). Why would someone representing a university introduce a bill to eliminate college scholarships for financially needy, well-deserving students? Who benefits from this bill?