Opinion

University of Michigan's next president will need rare combination of qualities

AnnArbor.com Staff — Sun, 16 Jun, 2013 5:55 a.m.

The University of Michigan faces a major challenge in the coming months as it searches for a new president to replace Mary Sue Coleman, who will retire next year.

University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman addresses the graduating class of 2013 in May.

Courtney Sacco | AnnArbor.com

Although the ultimate decision will rest with the Board of Regents, the exact form the search will take has yet to be announced. Focus groups are likely; an advisory committee, which was used when Coleman was hired in 2002, may be used again. Last month, the university's faculty members publicly (and understandably) stated they want a voice in the process.

Whatever form the search takes, it's clear that certain qualities will be important to find in the person the university eventually hires. Among them:

More police on the streets needed to make downtown safer

Letters to the Editor — Sun, 16 Jun, 2013 5:50 a.m.

And the thunder rolled... Nature's display has inspired many artists

Ruth Ehman — Fri, 14 Jun, 2013 9:10 a.m.

photo from science.howstuffworks.com

Incredible as it seems I know there are people who actually can sleep through a such as passed through here Wednesday night. But why would you want to?

At its most prosaic a thunderstorm is merely warm moisture laden surface air rapidly rising and colliding with cooler higher altitude air masses. The resultant turbulence creates build ups in pressure and temperature which are periodically released as the electrical charges we call lightning. The immense air pressure and temperature increase from lightening in turn causes rapid expansion of the surrounding air creating the sonic shock waves we call thunder. This is what I recall from high school science class.

Future relationship of China, U.S. will be delicate dance for the countries

Tom Watkins — Thu, 13 Jun, 2013 8 p.m.

China, once so far away, continues to grow closer as evidenced by last weekend’s ‘casual meeting’ between U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi.

As a '60s kid growing up near our nation’s capital, China seemed like a faraway land - and if I just dug deep enough in my backyard, I’d be able to reach it. Somehow, China found its way into my nightly dinner conversation, and went something like this: "Eat your peas, children in China are starving."

Could U.S. and Chinese leaders become more intertwined in the near future?

AP photo

Humor can be crucial for police facing emotional trauma

Rich Kinsey — Thu, 13 Jun, 2013 5:56 a.m.

Some of the Top-10 laughs in my life have come at some of the worst possible moments. If you follow a cop closely, you would find that they laugh at the strangest things and often when others would be revolted.

If you did not understand the police sense of humor, you might find the jokes coarse, distasteful, sophomoric and at the very least ill-timed. Those jokes however serve a crucial purpose — they lower stress by relieving pressure and emotions and allow officers to perform some grizzly tasks without permanent psychological damage and nightmares.

New district represents best hope for the school system Ypsilanti deserves

AnnArbor.com Staff — Sun, 9 Jun, 2013 5:59 a.m.

Willow Run Superintendent Laura Lisiscki speaks at the final commencement for Willow Run High School. She has been hired to be the associate Superintendent for the new Ypsilanti Community Schools district.

Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com

Last week marked the end of two Washtenaw County school districts with proud traditions. Willow Run, a district indelibly linked with the World War II can-do spirit of Rosie the Riveter and the planes produced at the Willow Run bomber plant, and Ypsilanti Public Schools, with a history stretching back more than 160 years, both marked their last school day Friday.

Baa baa black sheep have you any wool? 'Innocent' lambs are capable of plotting mischief

Ruth Ehman — Fri, 7 Jun, 2013 8:55 a.m.

From the vegetable garden you can look south to the back pasture and see the lambs grazing in the now tall, lush grass. The epitome of innocence and gentleness; you’ve heard the expressions attributing their benign traits to those perceived harmless.

They spend parts of the day dozing in the sun with just their sweet little faces peeking above the waving grass, their big dark eyes revealing nothing but meekness and congeniality. They’ll cozy together under the shade of the old apple trees during mid day’s heat like so many kittens in a basket; cuddly and soft. When one gets the notion for a drink they’ll all embrace the idea and come skipping and dancing to the trough like so many kindergartners being called in from recess for a snack.

Police need thick skin when the joke's on them

Rich Kinsey — Thu, 6 Jun, 2013 5:58 a.m.

One has to have a “thick skin” to be a successful police officer. An officer will fall prey to verbal onslaughts, embarrassment and criticism, and that is often before they leave the station. If law enforcement peers like you and trust you they will “mess” with you.

How now brown cow: Milking expertise learned from 'school of hard knocks'

Ruth Ehman — Mon, 3 Jun, 2013 11:55 a.m.

Hailey waiting to be milked.

Painting by Jan Herrick

It is a commonality amongst milkmaids and dairy men that the proper position when hand milking includes resting ones head against the flank of the cow. This is perceived as a loving gesture by the general public, when in fact it is based on expediency and logistics. Sitting thus helps properly locate you so the farthest back teats can be easily reached, plus — and this is a biggie folks — the proximity gives you early warning of an imminent hoof shifting.

Financial benefit of digital billboards on school property comes with aesthetic cost

Letters to the Editor — Sun, 2 Jun, 2013 5:59 a.m.