Last week's political news from Michigan's universities

by: Neon Vincent

Mon Sep 27, 2010 at 12:54:29 PM EDT

The most time-sensitive piece of news comes first.

Michigan State University: MSU to participate in national conversation about teaching careers

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State University students interested in becoming teachers will engage in a nationally televised conversation about the teaching profession with U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Sept. 27.

MSU is one of only four institutions across the country selected to participate in the MSNBC broadcast live from their campuses. The university's College of Education is known for its high-quality teacher preparation program, and U.S. News & World Report recently ranked MSU No. 1 in the nation for elementary and secondary education for a 16th straight year.

"We are pleased the Department of Education and NBC News recognize Michigan State University as a leader when it comes to preparing teachers to meet the challenges in our nation's schools," said President Lou Anna K. Simon. "The broadcast will give our students a tremendous opportunity to contribute to a national forum on the importance of teaching."

Participating students will be able to ask questions directly during the 2 p.m. program, which includes a special address from Duncan encouraging more young people to explore careers in education early in their college years. The one-hour special will be hosted by Tom Brokaw.

Only an hour-and-a-half for any Spartans or others in East Lansing to attend.  The rest of us can watch on tonight's news.

Now, on to Michigan election news.

Western Michigan University: Only a few days remain to register to vote

KALAMAZOO--With the Oct. 4 deadline to register to vote rapidly approaching, Western Michigan University is again making voter information easier to find with a Web page aimed at increasing political participation among students and the general public.

Elections are being held throughout Michigan Tuesday, Nov. 2, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The voter information page provides links to online answers for questions such as, "Where do I vote?" and "How do I get an absentee ballot?"

The deadline to register to vote in this year's general election is Monday, Oct. 4, which is also the deadline for changes of address or other information on voter registrations.

If any of you have political news from any of the rest of our state's universities, or just want to describe your volunteering efforts, please share in the comments.

More political news from Michigan's fine public universities plus some bonus national political coverage after the jump.

DATE: 7 p.m. Oct. 6, 2010.

EVENT: The University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy will host a special showing of "Gerrymandering: The Movie." Writer/director Jeff Reichert will talk about the film and answer questions. The movie addresses gerrymandering of political districts and the effects it has on the American political scene.

A panel discussion after the screening will include John Chamberlin, professor of public policy, former Congressman Joe Schwarz, and Rich Robinson of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.

The event is free and open to the public.

"After the 2010 census, Michigan will most likely lose a Congressional district making the next round of redistricting of vital importance for the state," Reichert said. "I hope my film will help educate voters throughout Michigan and get them ready to organize and fight for the representation they deserve."

LOCATION: Annenberg Auditorium,Weill Hall, 735 S. State St., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Redistricting is one of the major reasons this election is so important.  Who do you want drawing the boundaries for the 2012 election?

Wayne State University: Wayne State University hosts The Huffington Post co-founder and editor-in-chief, Arianna Huffington as she discusses "Third World America"

WHAT: Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, will discuss the gradual demise of America as an industrial, political, and economic leader.

WHEN: 3:30 to 5 p.m., Oct. 13, 2010

WHERE: Wayne State University is presenting this special FOCIS event at the Detroit Institute of Arts Lecture Hall located at 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202

Say what you will about Ariana Huffington, she is a major progressive media figure and she'll be here in Michigan next month to promote her ideas.

University of Michigan: 50 years of the Peace Corps: U-M students helped JFK change world

ANN ARBOR, Mich.-From John F. Kennedy to Barack Obama, presidents have challenged University of Michigan students to change the world. In Kennedy's case, the transformation was rapid and enduring: The Peace Corps was born.

"It was 50 years ago that a young candidate for president came here to Michigan and delivered a speech that inspired one of the most successful service projects in American history," Obama told U-M graduates May 1. "And as John F. Kennedy described the ideals behind what would become the Peace Corps, he issued a challenge to the students who had assembled in Ann Arbor on that October night: 'On your willingness to contribute part of your life to this country,' he said, 'will depend the answer whether a free society can compete. I think it can.' "

Kennedy, then a presidential candidate, stood on the steps of the Michigan Union at 2 a.m. Oct. 14, 1960, and delivered an impromptu speech before thousands of students who waited for hours in the fall chill. He challenged them to promote peace by working in developing countries around the world. The student response helped rapidly turn the idea into a reality.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Peace Corps, U-M will host a series of events that include the debut of a new film, "A Passing of the Torch," a national symposium, shows, guest speakers and reunions.

If you need inspiration from the past, this looks to be a good source for it.

University of Michigan: New database highlights public sector excellence, innovation

ANN ARBOR, Mich.-A new University of Michigan online database provides examples of excellence in the public sector and highlights innovative programs launched by state and local governments, school systems and others nationwide.

Created by the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) at the U-M Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, the Public Sector Excellence database aggregates information from competitive award programs around the country run by organizations including the Alliance for Innovation, the National League of Cities, and the International City/County Management Association.

The CLOSUP database is designed to foster public sector innovation in Michigan and elsewhere in order to help cash-strapped state and local governments continue to provide quality services.

"The problems facing local and state governments today are more complex than ever, at the same time that the recession has forced agencies to take major cuts in funding. In this environment, it is imperative that the public sector find more effective and more efficient ways to deliver quality services" said Brian Jacob, director of CLOSUP.

How local governments are dealing with the economic crisis is an important issue.  Those of us who believe in the power of government to do good should be able to tell the stories of local government doing just that.

And now, some bonus national political news.

L.A. Times: Tired of 'tea party' sniping, moderates organize
In Washington, a new advocacy group decries 'the tyranny of hyperpartisanship.' And powerful New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg throws his support behind candidates willing to reach across the aisle.
By James Oliphant
September 26, 2010

Reporting from Washington - Galvanized by the lightning-in-a-bottle success of conservative "tea party" candidates, moderate Republicans and others in the political center are looking for ways to push back against what they see as an advancing tide of ideological extremism.

The efforts are loosely organized and embryonic, but politicians, advocacy groups and others are piecing together a framework to promote moderate candidates and advance positions they say have been eclipsed by partisan sniping on the right and left.

"Middle America is being ignored by Washington and the media. Centrists are desperate for a voice today; they feel entirely unrepresented," said Mark McKinnon, a political strategist and former advisor to President George W. Bush.

Looks like progressives aren't the only people fed up with the Tea Party.

Finally, my advice for the week.