LWVKA 2008 Wayne State University Board of Governors

Candidates were asked to summarize their backgrounds in 75 words and were allotted 75 words to answer each question. If the candidate did not reply by the required date for publication, the words, “Did not respond in time for publication” appear under the candidate’s name.

1.What role should this university play in the economic development of the state of Michigan?

2.Given the current economic climate, what measures will you support to make education more affordable for students and their parents without sacrificing quality?

3.What is the most important issue facing this public university today and what is your position on that issue?

Torion J. Bridges
Republican
Did not respond in time for publication.

Danialle Karmanos
Republican

Born and raised in Detroit area. Graduated from Fairlane Christian High School. Graduated from Michigan State University. Worked as executive video producer. In 2005 established “Danialle Karmanos Work it Out (www.dkwio.org) a charitable organization aimed at battling the epidemic of childhood obesity, particularly with inner city kids. Involved in many community organizations including Karmanos Cancer Institute, Michigan Opera Theater, Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Married to husband Peter.

1. We must continue to provide a quality education for Michigan kids, which is accessible to them, right here at home. With the vast research capabilities of WSU and the tremendous community support it receives, WSU can be a magnet for new businesses looking for a talent pool when they are making decisions on where to locate.

2. I will expect accountability from administrators and educators at WSU to ensure that every dollar spent is spent wisely. I will also work with the legislature to make sure that WSU has a strong voice advocating for its needs and ensuring that WSU gets its fair share of state appropriation dollars.

3. The biggest challenge with any public university is walking the fine line of providing a world-class education while making it affordable for Michigan families. I will actively promote current and new research partnerships, which enrich Wayne State and will also work very hard to be strong positive voice for Wayne State in the State and community in an effort to bring more state resources to WSU.

Paul Massaron
Democrat

Paul Massaron is incumbent member of the WSU Board of Governors completing 8th year. Board Chair 2003-2004, Chair of Budget & Finance Committee 2005-2008. Served on Board of TechTown and Board of Detroit Receiving Hospital. Served on Lt. Gov. Cherry’s Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth. Adjunct Professor, UDM School of Architecture (urban politics and policy). Owns PEM Consulting (community development and governmental affairs). Retired UAW official. Married to Marya Sieminski, father of two...

1. This university should intensify its role in research as it has by partnering with U of M and MSU in what is called University Research Corridor where discoveries through research can be translated into products and jobs in the new economy in health, engineering and other high tech products. WSU’s Research Park (TechTown) is a manifestation of our efforts in economic development. Our public private partnerships and our work in Midtown also illustrate our effort.

2. As chair of Budget & Finance Committee I have pressed administrators to provide to Board clear, accurate information in order to reduce expenditures in non-academics keeping tuition increases as low as possible and sustaining quality. Over 8 years we have cut more than $50 million in the face of state funding cuts. This requires hard work of study, persuasion and standing up for affordability.

3. We have to fight against Michigan’s historic disinvestment in higher education. It is a severe impact on WSU. Prior to 2001 the state provided 61% of general fund budget and now only 41%. With the trend continuing it becomes extremely difficult to sustain quality. Higher tuition precludes more working families from higher education. If WSU was funded at its 1998 rate (never mind inflation) tuition would be $2400 per year less for a full-time student.

Gary S. Pollard
Democrat

Gary S. Pollard is a life long Detroiter, Pollard attended Detroit Public Schools. He holds a BA in Business Administration from Ferris State University. He has served the last six years as Chief of Staff to State Senator Irma Clark-Coleman. Pryor to his work in the Senate, Gary was Chief of Staff to State Representative Fred Durhal and Executive Assistant to former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. Gary Pollard is a U.S. Navy veteran who has …

1. The Michigan economy has changed, in response to a global technological revolution. For Michigan to compete, we must ensure that our residents are the best educated in the world and that they are prepared for a “lifetime of learning”. We must offer them with access to a wide variety of learning options. Many will require a wide array of certificate, degree and advanced degree programs vital to Michigan’s economic future, as outlined by the Cherry …

2. We must not put college education out of the financial reach of our residents. We must stay committed to affordable tuition for working families and their children. My wife and I have three children in college this year and our family knows the value of a good education at affordable cost.

3. We must build community partnerships between WSU and organizations like the Detroit Medical Center to build a better future. I will work to ensure this fine university will be proactive in creating and strengthen its community partnerships. Also, we must increase Wayne State’s Ability to be a powerful economic engine for our region. I am committed to make WSU a job creator by increasing funding to get research out of the lab and into the…

Dan Keizer
Libertarian

Dan Keizer is a 28 year old auto worker from Warren, MI. He has been involved with the Libertarian Party since 2006. His political philosophy stresses protection of personal rights and freedoms, limited role of government and fiscal responsibility.

1. Wayne State University's impact on Michigan's current economic climate and its future is huge. It will provide the educated, qualified and skilled workforce that businesses look for when developing. The school also produces business-minded entrepreneurs who can potentially bring new commerce and industry to the state. The school's goal towards the economy should be to continue producing graduates that meet the demands of business.

2. The way to keep tuition down as low as possible is to focus the university's budget on maintaining the quality of curriculum and the learning environment. Expenditures not directly related to those goals should be reduced or eliminated. Another way the school can help the situation is by facilitating the availability of tuition assistance and loans, both public and private, for the student.

3. Along with cost of education, the biggest hurdle facing the university is staying on the forefront of educational curriculums. A college must do this to continue producing the highest quality graduates. I believe that the simplest and most effective way a school can keep up is by not limiting itself, taking advantage of all technologies available and using the most modern class curriculums and teaching methods.

Nicole Michalak
Libertarian
Did not respond in time for publication

Rick Butkowski
US Taxpayers

I am a lifelong citizen of Michigan. I am a Vietnam Era Veteran of the USAF, honorably discharged in 1968. I graduated from EMU with Business Management degree. I’ve been married to Marie for 40 years and have three children and four grandchildren. I am retired after 32 years at Ford Motor Company as an Information Technology manager. I am active in church, the K of C and BSA.

1. WSU is a territorial college and has a constitutional obligation to prepare its citizens for the professions to the betterment of themselves and the state. WSU already provides these services to an excellent degree and must continue to do so. WSU will facilitate the growth of the local and state economy while providing an affordable program of education and research.

2. I would encourage the President of the WSU Board to focus university assets more intently on basic academics and research, and eliminate non-academic, social engineering aspects of university programs. I would encourage the development of business-oriented cooperative programs for students and the university where possible. I would encourage university partnerships with Michigan businesses, including stock ownership and profit-sharing where possible. Returns on these could be held in a university held Trust Fund.

3. Absolutely the single most important issue is the university’s economic health in the context of the current and forthcoming social and economic market. It must remain viable while delivering its constitutionally required services. All other issues must take a back seat. WSU’s existence is intertwined with the health of the state and local communities. It must maintain its professional value to its graduates, the professionals it helped create and to the state.

Terry Haines
US Taxpayers

Graduate of Central Michigan University. BS in Sociology and Psychiatry. Background in business and security. I have been married to Debby for 35 years. Together we home-schooled three children from kindergarten through high school.

1. WSU needs to encourage the auto industry to manufacture vehicles that are fully flex-fueled, able to use either gasoline or ethanol or methanol or any combination of the three. It's a realistic goal. Methanol, in terms of energy produced, is less than half the price of gasoline. The Michigan economy, as well as the US economy, will improve. Pollution will be lessened. This project will eventually destroy OPEC and de-fund Islamic terrorists.

2. WSU should develop fully transferable long-distance learning classes through use of the Internet and taped DVD lessons with test sites in various Michigan cities. Include college prep courses and ESL courses. WSU should completely eliminate all short-term and long-term debts. I would support WSU offering specialized educational packets where the student earns a certificate in a specialized subject, not a degree.

3. People of the Abrahamic faiths - Jews, Christians, and Moslems - find most universities hostile to their sexual beliefs. I will support the institution of the family. It is the tendency of state-funded universities to believe that things are good only if the state defines them to be good. That is not the American experience or our historical belief system. I will defend those oppressed because of their Abrahamic faiths.

Margaret Guttshall
Green

I have spent my adult life fighting against war and for economic and social justice. I am a graduate of Wayne State’s School of Library Science and worked at Wayne State’s Law Library and later at the Cooley Law Library.

1. Economic development is based on healthy, well-educated people, not on catering to whatever the billionaires want. The universities can play a key role in economic development by teaching people to grow their own food, develop a public transportation system, a public housing system, and all the other things people want and need.

2. Bring all U.S troops home now and use the billions of dollars saved to make universities free to everyone.

3. Do we want a university that caters to the billionaires -- doing research for wars, orienting education towards serving corporate needs? Or do we want a university that provides education for people? That teaches how to cooperate in the production of water, food, housing, transportation, health care, sports, art, music, dancing, literature, science …? I am for the second alternative and have devoted a good part of my life to fighting for it.