Michigan and its flagship university are feeling the effects of the sequester
The Detroit Free Press reports that four-and-a-half months after the sequester took effect, Michiganders are feeling the impacts of cuts in federal spending.
Stephen Forrest
File photo | AnnArbor.com
More than 75,000 people without jobs have seen a 10 percent drop in their benefit checks, more than 1,800 Head Start and Early Head Start slots have been eliminated in Michigan and the University of Michigan has seen a decline in National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health grants, the Free Press reports.
With the decline in research funding, "you’ll see an impact that is far more damaging than longer lines at the airport in the end,” Stephen Forrest, vice president for research at U-M<, told the Free Press.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Sparty
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 3:57 a.m.
What Sequester Cut impact? Obama was just exaggerating the impact of those cuts, according to the GOP. Now I'm so confused to see that there IS an impact even locally, let alone the thousands of job cuts in the Military, etc.! LoL.
mmppcc
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 9:01 p.m.
I realize this will hurt the egos of many of the people of Ann Arbor, but Michigan actually has three flagship universities. That being said, I'm curious how the sequester is affecting MSU and Wayne, as much of their research tends to be focused in different areas.
Basic Bob
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 3:15 a.m.
Since U-M is constitutionally independent, it can hardly be a flagship for any other university in the state.
YpsiGreen
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:54 p.m.
Because UM has no other money laying around... From Wikipedia: "U-M's financial endowment (the "University Endowment Fund") was valued at $7.57 billion in NACUBO's 2008 ranking. It was the seventh largest endowment in the U.S. and the third-largest among U.S public universities at that time, as well as the fastest growing endowment in the nation over the last 21 years. The endowment is primarily used according to the donors' wishes, which include the support of teaching and research."
JBK
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 12:37 a.m.
Ypsi - You will note the overwhelming silence of those on the LEFT! One would think, at least one would have a backbone and would denounce your comment... Ahh, the truth hurts sometime.
KMHall
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:46 p.m.
Researchers who move here, some of whom bring families, pay taxes, eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores, etc. We, the taxpayers, are not simply funding their playground.
JBK
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 12:40 a.m.
KM - And your point? Taxes go to the State and Feds. They do NOT stay local with the exception of property taxes. As for their playground, they certainly are not contributing to mine, so why should I contribute to thiers?
JBK
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:29 p.m.
With the decline in research funding, "you'll see an impact that is far more damaging than longer lines at the airport in the end," Stephen Forrest, vice president for research at U-M, told the Free Press. Here is a thought! Perhaps STEVIE would like to pay for some of this out of his own pocket instead of leeching the John Doe taxpayer. What he forgets (as do many in Acadamia / Research) is that most taxpayers do not wish to contribute to his bag of marbles. Research for most people is akin to Cloud computing for those of us in IT. "You never see it, touch it, or smell it." :)
John
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:14 p.m.
JBK & Walker - we get it...you are anti science, climate change is a myth blah blah...
walker101
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 8:05 p.m.
JBK: Why bother, they just don't get it.
JBK
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:46 p.m.
John - Federal dollars come from the taxpayer. People lose sight of that. What may be a priority for YOU, may not be a priority for ME. Federal dollars should be examined on who gets it and what it is used for. Cancer (your example) is extreme. You and I both know, that there is an awful lot of discretionary dollars going for BS. :)
John
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 7:40 p.m.
Leeching the tax payer? God forbid we should find a cure for cancer, or some other horrible disease!
Ben Freed
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:46 p.m.
The cuts to research funding could really impact the amount of innovation that happens at U-M. Cuts to the NIH are already starting to impact researchers at the Medical School and it's only going to spread further. It's not only the people who will be affected (researchers, etc.) but we will all lose out on innovation that that will go unfunded.
jcj
Wed, Jul 17, 2013 : 11:31 a.m.
"we will all lose out on innovation that that will go unfunded." I think most innovations come from the private sector.
Ignatz
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:33 p.m.
djacks24, Except when it comes to killing people, right? We gotta keep on doing that!
djacks24
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 6:31 p.m.
Like the research that linked Facebook to narcissism....Fascinating. Nothing wrong with prioritizing and budgeting. Maybe realize taxpayers are not an open checkbook anymore.
dsponini
Tue, Jul 16, 2013 : 5:51 p.m.
Exactly right Ben, happening all over my department with much gnashing of teeth