Video of the Day: “I have a Dream” Martin Luther King.
Every year on MLK Day, I read or watch Martin Luther King’s “I have a Dream” speech. I consider it the greatest speech of my lifetime. If you have never listened to it, please take the time to do so. If you have heard it before, listen to it again. It is worth the investment in yourself. His words are as important now as they were 60 years ago.
Quote of the Day: “What we are rolling out today is a mixture of policies and structures that are designed to promote a climate where people feel safe and people feel respected and they feel supported so people can do their research, their teaching or accomplish what they are interested in being part of our community. It really is to build trust. … We have to be purposeful in building that back up again.” Former Michigan President Mark Schlissel as he rolled out the new policies of reform to address the sexual misconduct on campus.
As a retiree and former executive officer of the University Hospital I am embarrassed and angry by the behavior of former U of M President Mark Schlissel. Since Saturday, I have been trying to process the firing of the University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel for violation of his contract because of an alleged affair with a U of M employee. This comes six months after the University of Michigan in July announced with great fanfare reforms to address the sexual misconduct on campus. The reforms included a ban on supervisors initiating romantic relationships with those they supervise. The announcement included media interviews with UM President Mark Schlissel and Board of Regents Chair Jordan Acker. The school touted the reforms as evidence efforts were underway to change the university’s culture following at least seven sexual misconduct scandals in recent years that had shaken the campus and eroded trust in university leaders.
As I contemplate Schlissel’s firing, three words keep coming to mind: hypocrisy, arrogance and stupid. I cannot comprehend the hypocrisy and arrogance it takes to lie to the university community and not think he was going get caught. I cannot believe how stupid he was to use his university’s email account to express his affection for this employee. Has he not studied the cases of so many other public officials who have been done in by their use of public email in a similar manner? Does he not know the history of Kwame Kilpatrick and a certain EMU baseball coach just to name a few? I am embarrassed for the university and for all its hard-working employees, its students, its faculty, its alumni, its retirees, and donors. If I am this angry, I cannot imagine the anger the faculty is feeling. Kit wasn’t long ago the faculty took the step of voting “no confidence” in Schlissel. Interim and former President Mary Sue Coleman has her hands full for the next couple of years.
It is time for the Democratic party to regroup. They have tried to pass all-encompassing legislation that does not have the support, in the senate, it needs to pass. They need to quit bitching about the Republicans and start controlling what they control. The Democrats need to identify smaller less aggressive packages for voting rights, infrastructure, climate change and public support that all Democrats and centrist Republicans can support. In addition, they need to get out the vote within the rules that are in place in each state. It means grassroots organizing and increasing voter registration and more important voter participation. If two Democratic senators can be elected in Georgia against all odds, it can be done in a large portion of other states. There is less than a year to make this happen.
What are you doing today to stop violence? What are you doing today to expand mental health services for those in need? What are you doing today to make sure your guns are not are accessible to minors in your household? Stay Safe. Social Distance. Wear your mask when indoors in public places. Schedule your vaccine and booster.
Orchid of the Day: The Wolverines’ women’s basketball team moved up three spots to No. 8 in this week’s Associated Press women’s Top 25, returning to the top 10 on Monday.
Onion of the Day: Former U of M President Schlissel.
Well said. Tom!
Thanks for the post about Schlissel…I am still enraged at the hubris, arrogance, etc. I hope Mary Sue is able to at least great the people on the lawn regarding the Anderson scandal. Even if it is just to say good morning, make eye contact, and reiterate the University’s commitment to addressing the issues. Some are rejoicing since he is gone, but the cost (all the costs, not just $) to the University piled on top of the other issues is huge and I am furious with him. Now I know why many faculty were upset that the Philbert issue was slow walked.