Posted on Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 8:24 a.m.
U-M moves up on world university rankings list
By Cindy Heflin
U-M said it was able to improve its ranking by making judicious cuts in the face of economic constraints.
The University of Michigan moved up one spot in the 2012 Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings, bucking the trend of lower rankings for most U.S. universities, the Detroit Free Press reported.
U-M rose from 13 to 12 on the list. U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald told the Free Press the ranking is a reflection of how carefully the university has made cuts in tough economic times. Other U.S. universities’ drop on the list was attributed to cuts in state and federal aid.
Contact Cindy Heflin at 734-623-2572, or cindyheflin@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
Milan Moravec
Sat, Mar 17, 2012 : 4 a.m.
University of California Berkeley world ranking drops again: Chancellor Birgeneau resigns. UC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau's recruits born abroad and affluent out of state $50,600 tuition students who displace qualified Californians; spends $7,000,000 + (prominent East Coast university accomplishing same at 0 cost) for OE consultants but stops consultants from examining Chancellor office for inefficiencies; pays ex-politician $300,000 for a couple lectures; tuition to Return on Investment drops below top 10; QS ranking below top ten. On all-in cost Cal. is now the most expensive public USA university – more expensive than Harvard, Yale. Chancellor Birgeneau's fiscal track record is dismal indeed. Birgeneau would like to blame the politicians, since they stopped giving him every dollar asked for, & the state legislators do share some responsibility for the financial crisis. But not in the sense he means. Every year Birgeneau ($450,000 salary) would request a budget increase, the timid UC Regents would agree to it, and the legislature would provide. The hard questions were avoided by all concerned, & the Birgeneau leadership inefficiencies just piled up to $150 million +. It's not that Birgeneau was unaware that there were, in fact, waste during his 8 year reign. Faculty & staff raised issues with Birgeneau however, when they failed to see relevant action taken, they stopped. Finally, Birgeneau engaged expensive ($7,000,000 +) OE consultants to tell him what he should have known as a leader or been able to find out from the bright, engaged people. (Prominent east-coast University accomplishing same at 0 costs) Cal's senior management is either incompetent or culpable. You never want a crisis to go to waste. Increasing Cal's budget is not the solution. Honorably retire UC Berkeley Chancellor Birgeneau. Email opinions to UC Board of Regents marsha.kelman@ucop.edu
clownfish
Fri, Mar 16, 2012 : 12:05 p.m.
Why would my comments be hidden because I filed an abuse against my post before I posted it?
Ivor Ivorsen
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 5:31 p.m.
Xmo, "budget cuts equal improved education"---that's so awesome you said that!
xmo
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 5:21 p.m.
I do not have numbers because Progressives/Liberals are emotional and facts do not matter. I am simply saying that I have heard nothing but how Gov. Snyder is cutting the University budgets since he took office. (I think you agree on this point) Now a report comes out and states that U of M has moved up in its educational stature. One could concluded that: Budget cuts equal improved education?
clownfish
Fri, Mar 16, 2012 : 12:04 p.m.
You do not have numbers to support you statement because you think other people are too emotional? wow.
leaguebus
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 3:51 p.m.
@xmo If you are talking about Rickster and the Republicans tying the hands of the UM in stem cell research, you are correct. If you are talking about meddling into UM affairs by passing a bill that GSA's are not employees, you are correct. If you talk about cutting $56 M from UM's state appropriation this year, you are correct. As from the numbers, UM is one of the top Universities in the world, in spite of Rickster and his Republicans.
arborani
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 1:55 p.m.
WHY are we suddenly saddled with the huge typeface for comments? Annoying.
Ivor Ivorsen
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
xmo, Please list or describe any specific plan, action, policy or directive implemented by Governor Snyder since taking office that could be credited with this improved ranking. Supporting data would be greatly appreciated!
xmo
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
I guess Gov. Snyder plans are working, even though we hear all of the screams about budget cuts devastating education.
Wolf's Bane
Thu, Mar 15, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
But according to Gov. Snyder, UM needs its state budget slashed. How out of touch is this guy?
steven
Sat, Mar 17, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
UM seems to be doing just fine with the budget cuts. Looks like Snyder's education policies are turning out to be pretty effective.