1. Senator Gary Peters receives Champion of Science Award at UM

    Mark Rivett posted March 12, 2018
    Read Full Article at The Ann Arbor News
    Senator Gary Peters

    The Science Coalition presented U.S. Senator Gary Peters, D-Mich., with its Champion of Science Award, recognizing his commitment to funding the basic research that keeps the United States and the state of Michigan at the forefront of scientific and medical discovery and technological innovation. Brittany Greeson | MLive.com(Brittany Greeson | MLive.com)

    ANN ARBOR, MI – The Science Coalition presented U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., with its Champion of Science Award on Monday, March 12, recognizing his commitment to funding research that keeps the U.S. and Michigan at the forefront of scientific and medical discovery and technological innovation.

    “Federal investments in basic science research are the cornerstone of our nation’s innovation economy, and I’ve been proud to champion stronger investments in research in the U.S. Senate,” Peters said. “I am honored to be recognized by The Science Coalition, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University, and I look forward to continue working to maximize research opportunities and encourage scientific entrepreneurship for future generations.”

    Peters said the research conducted by universities in Michigan and across the country generate new technologies and advancements that will save lives and create jobs.

    Author: Martin Slagter

    [email protected]


  2. Wolverine Caucus: Living on $2 A Day

    Mark Rivett posted February 20, 2018

    It’s Happening in Michigan – How Can We Alleviate Poverty in Michigan and Beyond?

    Tuesday, February 20, 2018

    Featured speaker:
    H. Luke Shaefer , UM School of Social Work

    MI Senate Binsfeld Office Building, Room 5550, 5th Floor 201 Townsend St., Lansing, MI 48933 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

    View PDF

    Some Michigan residents are living on cash incomes of $2 or less per day, while others are carrying high levels of debt, struggling to pay for their housing and other necessities, and reducing their chances for overall upward mobility. How do we better provide access to work opportunities and support systems that will aid families in need? What is working to prevent or alleviate poverty? What is not?

    Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan is examining these challenges from a variety of disci- plines and testing the most promising solutions through research interventions, partnering with policy- makers and the community. In the past four years, the good news is the percentage of Michigan residents living below the poverty line has dropped from 17.4 percent to 14.9, and child poverty has dropped four percentage points during this period. There are more Michiganders employed now than in 2012, and the median household income has risen. Yet, despite these promising trends, challenges persist as Michigan remains 33rd and in the bottom half of states battling poverty. We can do better. Please join us as UM Professor Luke Schaefer shares projects designed to deliver concrete results that will aid Michigan’s poor — expand their economic opportunities, and reduce their educational and health disparities.

    H Luke Shaefer Director Poverty Solutions

    H. Luke Shaefer is Director of Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan. He is also an Associate Professor at the School of Social Work and the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Dr. Shaefer’s research on poverty and social welfare policy in the United States has been published in top peer-reviewed academic journals, including the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management and the Amer- ican Journal of Public Health, supported by the National Science Foundation.

    Dr. Shaefer has presented his research at the White House and before numerous federal agencies, and he has testi ed before the U.S. Senate Finance Commit- tee. His work has been cited in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Na- tional Review, The Atlantic, Vox, the LA Times and Huf ngton Post. He has been featured on “Marketplace” and CNBC’s “Nightly Business Report.” His recent book with Kathryn Edin, “$2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America,” has been named one of the 100 Notable Books of 2015 by the New York Times Book Review, and won the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism.

    Author: Veronica A. W. Johnson, Ph.D

    Director of the Lansing Service Center | [email protected] | 517-372-7801


  3. Governor proposes budget to increase University funding

    Mark Rivett posted February 8, 2018

    Read Full Article at The Michigan Daily

    Vice President Cynthia Wilbanks

    Cynthia Wilbanks: University of Michigan Vice President for Government Relations

    Wednesday, Gov. Rick Snyder suggested a 2 percent increase in funding for the state’s higher education budget during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. According to a University of Michigan press release, the proposed plans would provide the University’s Ann Arbor campus with $320.8 million. The budget would also provide the Dearborn campus with $26.1 million, a 2.6 percent increase, and the Flint campus with $23.6 million, a 2.3 percent increase.

    Cynthia Wilbanks, University vice president for government relations, was pleased with the announcement.

    “Investing in higher education provides greater opportunities to our residents and is absolutely critical for our state’s continued economic growth,” Wilbanks said in a statement to The University Record. “We look forward to working with our representatives in the state House and Senate as this budget process proceeds.”

    Author: Remy Farkas

    The Michigan Daily