League of Women Voters of Michigan
© LWVMI Education Fund 2008
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
2.
Given the
current economic climate, what measures will you support to make education more
affordable for students and their parents without sacrificing quality? (75 words)
3.
What is the most important issue facing this public university
today and what is your position on that issue?
(75 words)
Torion J. Bridges, Republican
Did not
respond in time for publication.
Danialle Karmanos, Republican
Born and raised in
1) We must continue to provide a quality education for
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
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
1. The
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
Dan Keizer, Libertarian
Dan Keizer is a 28 year old
auto worker from
1.
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
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
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
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
2. WSU should develop fully transferable
long-distance learning classes through use of the Internet and taped DVD
lessons with test sites in various
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
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.