The Associated Press
NAME: Paul Brown
AGE: 38 (Born Sept. 18, 1972)
RESIDENCE: Ann Arbor
PARTY: Democratic
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in history, University of Michigan, 1996; law degree, Wayne State University, 2000; master's degree in business administration, University of Michigan, 2008.
POLITICAL CAREER: Active in Democratic politics
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Vice president of capital markets for the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
PERSONAL: Married to Nicole; one children; expecting a second Oct 5.
ONLINE: http://www.PaulBrownforUofMRegent.com
YOUR TOP ISSUE IN THIS RACE:
Tuition is too high. Board members and administrators talk about the importance of holding down tuition but they have failed to do so. Many Michigan students and families simply cannot afford the cost. Saddling our students with huge student loans is not the answer. I will use my financial background to review the budget line by line. I will help design a budget which allows the university to bring down the cost of tuition and deliver a world-class education. The university also must become more focused on job creation and economic development.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN:
I chose to run because of my frustration over the University of Michigan's inability to hold down tuition and increase its role in economic development. The University of Michigan can never be the "leader and best" if it is not affordable for every family and student in Michigan. The state cannot be the "leader and best" if its largest research university is not more successful in converting its research dollars into successful job-creating companies.
STRATEGIES YOU SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY IN MICHIGAN:
The state must become more committed to education funding for both K-12 and higher education. There are several simple strategies which would assist our education system. The Legislature must adjust its budgeting schedule so schools know state funding levels before the schools develop their budgets. The Legislature should also pass education budgets that last for more than one year (and) ... create a new "promise" scholarship to keep students in the state after graduation. Lastly, the state must create a funding mechanism that is more consistent and produces more revenue.
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NAME: Diana Demers
AGE: 28 (Born April 1982)
RESIDENCE: Livonia
PARTY: Nominated by the Green Party of Michigan and the Socialist Party of Michigan
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in science and special education, Eastern Michigan University, 2007.
POLITICAL CAREER: Female vice co-chair, Socialist Party USA, October 2009-present.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Substitute teacher.
PERSONAL: Single.
ONLINE: http://demers2010.spmichigan.org
YOUR TOP ISSUE IN THIS RACE:
Above all, we need to bring workplace and school place democracy to the University of Michigan. The students and teachers need to design curriculum and policies together as those most involved and with the most vested interests in the learning process. I support the existing unions of the University of Michigan and hope to see full unionization of all employees, greater employee control, and stronger and more participatory student unions.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN:
I decided years ago to dedicate my life to education. I also decided to dedicate myself to fighting for meaningful and positive change through ideals that align themselves to the majority rather than corporate interests. At a crossroads in my life when I am passing between being a student and becoming a teacher, I believe I am in a position to make this substantial change while remaining true to pure and honest values by being able to see the entire picture from both sides.
STRATEGIES YOU SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY IN MICHIGAN:
Ultimately, these solutions will come from legislatures and referenda, not from those in my position. I will not support further selling our institutions to outside interests through corporate sponsorship of various schools nor producing school merchandise through overseas sweatshops. My role is to provide a genuine atmosphere of higher learning that encourages critical thinking skills in students. I will, however, lobby strongly for the removal of the flat-tax rate provision in our Constitution, which strangles our state's budget and encourage adequate funding to ensure superior learning experiences.
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NAME: James L. Hudler
AGE: 58 (Born May 3, 1952)
PARTY: Libertarian
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in zoology, University of Michigan, 1974; graduate work at University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University and Michigan State University.
POLITICAL CAREER: Minor party political activist.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Clinical medical technician.
PERSONAL: Single.
YOUR TOP ISSUE IN THIS RACE:
Privatizing the University of Michigan.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN:
The University of Michigan must continue to reduce its dependence on taxpayer funding and should move toward becoming a private institution.
STRATEGIES YOU SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY IN MICHIGAN:
The University of Michigan should form partnerships with private businesses in Michigan and around the world. Advocacy of free trade, free markets and lower tax burdens on citizens and businesses will build Michigan's economic development.
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NAME: Elizabeth "Libby" Hunter
AGE: 61 (Born August 1949)
RESIDENCE: Ann Arbor
PARTY: Green
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in music, University of Michigan, 1972; master's degree in education, Cambridge College, 1990.
POLITICAL CAREER: Activist.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Musician.
PERSONAL: N/A
ONLINE: N/A
YOUR TOP ISSUE IN THIS RACE:
Controlling, perhaps even capping tuition costs, and making sure that deserving, hardworking Michigan families can send their children to the University of Michigan is my top issue in this race. I believe affordability and access to higher education are crucial to the continued success of the University of Michigan, and the renewed economic health of the state of Michigan.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN:
My motivations are implied above and below.
STRATEGIES YOU SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY IN MICHIGAN:
Making education accessible is only half of the equation. ... While accessibility is one of my top issues, I am also concerned with student retention and matriculation. (We should) analyze the expenditure of current resources, followed by attempting to improve the efficiency; investigate local, regional and possibly even national consolidation and partnerships between institutions of higher learning; support performance funding, tuition discounts for students who complete their undergraduate degrees in four years or less, and the implementation of three-year degree programs that include full summer schedules.
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NAME: Leslie Lazzerin
AGE: 68 (Born November 1941)
RESIDENCE: Oakland County's Bloomfield Township
PARTY: Libertarian
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, University of Michigan, 1972.
POLITICAL CAREER: Has not previously run for political office.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Public welfare administrator.
PERSONAL: Single; one stepdaughter.
ONLINE: http://www.Lpwm.org/ LeslieLazzerin
YOUR TOP ISSUE IN THIS RACE:
Establish a student academic bill of rights. It appears that in some classrooms, especially in the liberal arts college, professors and instructors are not presenting their material in a very professional manner. Instead of giving information, encouraging discussion and respect for differing opinions, the professor's political opinions are either stated at the beginning of the class or are more subtly interjected throughout the material presented. Some professors even go so far as to personally attack the character or intellectual integrity of a student who defends a different viewpoint. Safeguards in the form of written protections for all students are essential.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN:
I have a 36-year record of volunteer service to the university. I'm running for this office to put forth arguments for change that I haven't heard expressed and win support from my fellow regents to implement these changes. For example, reduce the fixed costs of providing an education by reducing the building of new single-purpose structures, especially classroom and administration buildings, even if the original structure is the product of a large donation. Eventually all "plant and equipment" become the university's responsibility, a responsibility that is passed on to the user, whether in the form of student tuition and fees or charges to government-industry-research foundations.
STRATEGIES YOU SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY IN MICHIGAN:
Funding should begin by looking at costs first. This may be the key to controlling the need for ever escalating funding for higher education. With that accomplished, I would support the universities and colleges in establishing links with more public schools, even at the elementary level, in underperforming areas of the state. The goal is to better prepare students for higher education that would not require remedial classes, more than four years to graduate, and huge student loans. Accessibility to higher education in urban areas is good, but rural areas are less well-served.
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NAME: Andrea Fischer Newman
AGE: 52 (Born July 16, 1958)
RESIDENCE: Ann Arbor
PARTY: Republican
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree with honors, University of Michigan, 1979; law degree, George Washington University, 1983.
POLITICAL CAREER: Board of Regents, University of Michigan 1995-present; Board of Regents, Oakland University 1991-1994; finance Chair, John Engler for governor campaigns, 1990, 1994, 1998. Served multiple candidates and causes, including appointments to federal panels, during the past 20 years.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Airline industry executive, specializing in government relations, 1995-present. Currently senior vice president with Delta Air Lines. Formerly law partner with Miller, Canfield, Paddock and Stone.
PERSONAL: Married; two children.
ONLINE: http://www.fischernewmanforregent.com
YOUR TOP ISSUE IN THIS RACE:
Above all we must sustain and improve the quality of education while at the same time containing costs and maintaining affordability. Since the fiscal environment will continue to be challenging, we must be responsible stewards. We need to find new ways to pay for education, including raising money to endow and replace the state appropriation, funding additional scholarships and developing other resources and revenue streams to cover our costs.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN:
My long-term association with the university, from undergraduate to my current service on the Board of Regents and my passionate belief that the university's continued success is an essential component of the economic and educational future of the state of Michigan. Education is vital to our future and it must be affordable. The fiscal reality in Michigan means we have to find new ways to fund education. We can't continue to just raise tuition while state funding declines. My experience in business and my understanding of the university is the right combination to help it succeed.
STRATEGIES YOU SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY IN MICHIGAN:
Better manage our existing resources and increase our endowment; consider using endowment funds to replace the state appropriation over time; develop new sources of revenue through technology transfer, public private partnerships and innovative revenue enhancements; and ensure that Michigan students continue to have access to the finest educational programs and world-class research facilities.
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NAME: Andrew C. Richner
AGE: 49 (Born July 4, 1961)
RESIDENCE: Grosse Pointe Park
PARTY: Republican
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in business administration, University of Michigan, 1982; law degree, University of Michigan, 1986.
POLITICAL CAREER: University of Michigan Board of Regents, 2003-present; state representative, 1997-2002; Wayne County Board of Commissioners, 1993-1996; Grosse Pointe Park City Council, 1991-1993.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Law partner, Clark Hill PLC.
PERSONAL: Married to Susan; two children.
ONLINE: http://richnerforregent.com
YOUR TOP ISSUE IN THIS RACE:
The university should and does play a vital role in our state's economy. The university's partnerships, collaborations and other interactions with business and research organizations not only further the academic mission of the university, but stimulate economic activity and create jobs for the state. I have been a strong proponent for the University Research Corridor and the development of our North Campus Research Complex, both of which offer great promise in developing health and life sciences. The university now brings in more than $1 billion annually in research funding, which translates directly into economic development initiatives.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN:
My re-election is important for continuity in leadership at the university and, as one of only two Republicans on the board, to maintain diversity in viewpoints. Despite state budget challenges, the university is the only AAA-rated university in the state. We led efforts to reduce costs to offset state funding reductions and keep tuition affordable, including reducing health insurance costs, better allocating space, promoting energy efficiency, selling nonproductive assets, leading the most successful private fundraising campaign in the university's history and implementing multiyear budgeting.
STRATEGIES YOU SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY IN MICHIGAN:
With diminishing state support, we need to do everything within our power to ensure affordability and accessibility of an education from the university, while not sacrificing quality and value. With my own son attending the university, I share the concerns of parents and students concerning tuition and believe we need to consider alternative tuition models. We must continue to insist upon creating efficiencies in spending practices, growing fundraising efforts, expanding federal research funding opportunities and looking for development of alternative revenue sources. We also need to address increasing competition for the best students, faculty and staff.
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NAME: Joe Sanger
AGE: 72 (Born March 29, 1938)
RESIDENCE: Lansing
PARTY: U.S. Taxpayers
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in economics, University of Michigan, 1958; master's degree in business administration, University of Michigan, 1966
POLITICAL CAREER: Former treasurer for the state central committees of the Tisch Independent Party and U.S. Taxpayers Party; former treasurer for the national committees of U.S. Taxpayers Party and Constitution Party.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Retired; former self-employed certified public accountant, corporate tax manager, internal revenue agent with the U.S. Treasury Department and accountant with Detroit's water department.
PERSONAL: Married to Gloria; one daughter.
ONLINE: http://www.votejoesanger.com
YOUR TOP ISSUE IN THIS RACE:
The cost of tuition at the University of Michigan over a 55-year period has escalated at 8.1 times the rate of inflation -- an astounding and totally unconscionable price increase.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN:
I seek to restore financial responsibility to the University of Michigan by rolling back its totally irresponsible tuition price increases, by controlling runaway costs, and by seeking a comprehensive audit including its runaway spending programs and grant billing procedures. Both Article III of the Northwest Ordinance and Section 1 of the Michigan Constitution say, "Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." The constitutional mandate should be obeyed. Ideological advocacy must be replaced by the teaching of knowledge.
STRATEGIES YOU SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY IN MICHIGAN:
The problem is not funding. The problem is uncontrolled runaway costs. The university can reduce overhead costs by operating on a full-time basis for 3 semesters per year. The university is teaching too much by the antiquated methods used hundreds of years ago. It's time to get out of the horse-and buggy era.
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NAME: Greg Stephens
AGE: 59 (Born May 1951)
RESIDENCE: Dexter
PARTY: Democratic
EDUCATION: Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor Electrical Apprenticeship School.
POLITICAL CAREER: Ran unsuccessfully for the University of Michigan Board of Regents, 2002.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Business manager-financial secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 252 in Ann Arbor, 1994-present; licensed electrician for nearly 40 years; served in the U.S. Army Reserves for six years.
PERSONAL: Married to Gail; one child.
ONLINE: http://www.gregstephens4uofmregent.com
YOUR TOP ISSUE IN THIS RACE:
Making a University of Michigan education accessible and affordable for all Michigan students.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN:
The university must focus on making tuition costs affordable to all Michigan students, not just the wealthy. The university needs to find a way to manage costs in a way that stops "automatic" increases from occurring. My experience managing projects will help the university achieve this. I have managed large budgets in these difficult times and have been able to achieve outstanding results. I will bring commonsense, middle-class values to the Board of Regents.
STRATEGIES YOU SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY IN MICHIGAN:
Michigan must modernize its entire tax structure, from sales tax to income tax, by implementing a graduated income tax. Studies show that this would generate $600 million per year, but would result in a tax cut to 90 percent of Michigan families. We need to close corporate loopholes and giveaways that take away from our ability to fund public services. Most importantly, we need to stop trying to balance the budget on the backs of our children. Once we implement the changes in our tax code, the money earmarked for education must only be used for our students' education.
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NAME: Linda Schrock Taylor
AGE: 62 (Born Dec. 16, 1947)
RESIDENCE: Cadillac
PARTY: U.S. Taxpayers
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in education for the deaf, University of Northern Colorado, 1972; master's degree in English, Central Michigan University, 1995.
POLITICAL CAREER: Ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Maquoketa, Iowa.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER: Retired public school special education teacher; adjunct staff member at Ferris State University.
PERSONAL: Married; one son.
ONLINE: http://www.lewrockwell.com/taylor/taylor-arch.html
YOUR TOP ISSUE IN THIS RACE:
Excellence -- in every classroom and department, on every campus and at every level of the University of Michigan.
WHY YOU CHOSE TO RUN:
I spent a year in a master's program at the University of Manchester, England. I met students from a multitude of countries. At any mention of University of Michigan, the response was "excellence" in all areas. Since then, I have worried about our high schools not graduating students who are truly prepared for university. The university should not be expected to be both a high school and a university. I hope to raise the standards deemed appropriate for college entrance, and encourage the University of Michigan to remain a world leader in every area.
STRATEGIES YOU SUPPORT FOR LONG-TERM EDUCATION FUNDING AND ACCESSIBILITY IN MICHIGAN:
Excellence leads to highly paid graduates and alumni. Hopefully, we can encourage more donations from successful graduates. The state should be encouraged to provide funding based on success rates. Competition between colleges and universities should encourage all to improve their quality and effectiveness. ... Students with disabilities should receive assistance. However, admission standards must be based on academic readiness and potential, not on political correctness. I have taught many freshman university students who had absolutely no business being in the university setting.
Published: Wed, Oct 6, 2010
