Bernstein withdraws gift to UM
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/07/21/bernste…
TLDR-Bernsteins donate $3 million dollars for new mulitcultural center. Student raise objections because it involved renaming Trotter, which is the only place on campus named after an African American. Bernstein says he had no wish to do that and withdraws the donation rather than just leaving the name as it is.
EDIT-I normally wouldn't post a Freep link but since this has gotten somewhat contentious I thought it was worth it to include Mark's response which a couple other posters have found.
Apparently he was told that they didn't really need the money for this project. He also says he never asked for his name to be on it but that it was offered to him and his wife and they accepted it.
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/07/22/mark-bernstei…
Lol the university spokesman called him out on it too.
anything about Bernstein. However, I don't really like the fact that he says he's committed to diversity, multiculturism, etc. then recinds the gift since his name doesn't go on the building. Seems like ego trumps the commitment to noble ideals...
Dude gave 3 million and if the gift came with the stipulation that they rename a building after him and then that becomes a non-starter, I have no problem with him rescinding it. It is easy to ask why he didn't leave the gift, but if you can get a building named after you which may live far longer than your name, that is something significant
Caring more about people remembering your name than remembering what you did and how you made them feel is not a positive trait.
People donate money for a host of different reasons, including naming a building. If the University told them one thing and the situation changed through no fault of their own, they have every right to withdraw their gift. Not a lot of people are writing $3 million checks and Michigan damn well respects those that do.
I was more critiquing coldnjl's post than Bernstein, seeing as it's entirely possible that withdrawing the gift was the only way to keep the Trotter name on the building.
Not a "lot" of people are writing $3 million checks, but as posted below, that's a steal for naming rights.
not when you've got billions it's not. Let's keep our dignity and do the right thing please. This would've undermined the point of a multicultural center. It would've been a disgrace to a university that at least pretends to care about diversity
Great show (and has a naming rights story line as well)
Then stop calling it a gift. If the donation depends on the recipient putting your name on a building, it's not a gift, it's an implied contract with unusual consideration.
It's giving three million for something worth less. At worst, its a favor.
would think the going rate for getting a building at Michigan named after you is much more than 3 million. But the fact is he was paying Michigan a fee for performence, it was not a gift.
Seriously wtf. A guy wants to give 3 million bucks and wants his name attached to it? I would say thank you.
Agreed that not a lot of people donate $3mm, for any purpose. But in my opinion it seems like the naming was more important that the gift. When I donate to charity (granted not anywhere near $3mm) all I expect is appreciation for giving and that the money is indeed going to the cause I support.
Would it be "better" for him to give the money and want absolutely nothing in return? Sure. But he had lots of options with that 3mil bucks, many of which involve him getting something awesome in return, like a mega yacht or a house in Vail. Typically when people part with large sums of money, they want something in return for it. I find it shitty when people criticize donors who want something in return for a 7 figure donation.
they already get it in the form of tax write offs, and if he's got 3 million to blow he doesn't need another goddamn yacht. Too much of "donating" is about ego, as opposed to say, the Kalamazoo Promise, where the donors are truly donors - anonymous
If someone donates a large gift to Michigan, I'm fine with some ulterior motive like the donor's name on a building. When Larry Page decides he wants to donate a billion bucks for the world's largest multi-building artificial intelligence complex up north and call it the Google-Page complex, let's send his check back? And it is only costing him slightly more than 600 million.....cheapskate.
It's an outrage, a travesty I tell ya'! Let's sue, someone "Call Sam!!"
I guess this went over my head, who is Sam?
Sorry, guess I am too dated, when I was in AA, Bernstein's father Sam, was prominent and started the firm on personal injury law, and was known as one of the first, mid-day TV/Media commercials. Known for the tagline, "Hurt in a car accident, Need a lawyer, Get Justice.. Call Sam!" or just "Call Sam!"
No, of course not. I am fine with some selfish giving too... but this is blatantly transparent.
If Bernstein wants to give the University $3 million and have his name on something, why not build a childrens hospital in Flint or something?
I always thought when a university receives a large donation for a project, they name that project after the benefactor out of repect. not that the donor purchased the naming rights.
Never heard of that before.....Can you give me a "T"!
we shouldn't act shocked when that's practically a requirement to become mega-wealthy. I'd rather no buildings at a public U are named after a vulture capitalist and so on, but that's the choice we have to make. I feel like that path should be left for pro sports stadiums and such. He should never have been offered the naming rights in the first place.
I daresay most people fall well between the two.
who should have been a little more plugged into things than some person half a country away deciding to make the donation. It seems a bit more strange considering his role and the way this played out.
He wanted to make a public gesture and was told that putting a name on the building was University policy, so not his request. But he did want to do something publicly in support of diversity.
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/07/22/mark-bernstein-university-of-michigan-trotter-multicultural-center/87439088/
My only issue is why does he need to do something publicly? The Bush family (yes that Bush family) have been longtime donors to Howard University (an HBCU). You would never know it because they don't request publicity. I guess not everyone is the same, but as a regent, I think there is probably something he can do in that capacity if he only wants to show public support for diversity.
If the Bush family had the school publicize their gifts, maybe that would have led others to contribute to Howard or other HBCUs. Publicity can be valuable to the cause or the recipient of gifts.
"trumps"? I see what you did there.
No take backs!
Also, couldn't they still donate the money and not have the buidling named after them? Or is this just about having your name on a building?
Many donors that give large gifts want their name on a building to leave a legacy.
Then put a plaque outside (like many donors have requested) indicating their interest in the facility.
Everyone knows the buildings...who cares about plaques
I love the JFK plaque outside the Michigan Union
so did JFK pay $3 mil for that too?
No, just his life.
too soon
That was mostly rherorical, but yeah.. J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach.
ughhhhh
If I win the Powerball tomorrow it's gonna be Coachy McCoachface of Michigan Footbaw! Complete with stylized spelling and punctuation.
Don't we have any coaches left to name for this guy?
When I was an undergrad student in the early 90's, Rackham had the best bathrooms on campus. It would be an honor to have them named after me or some other donor. "Bernstein Stalls at Rackham" has an endearing ring to it.
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"The Call Sam Studios"
"The Richard Bernstein Replay Review Booth"
Oh...we're talking about Mark Bernstein? Then never mind.
Just put a plaque outside/inside (like some donors request) indicating their interest in the facility. Some donors don't even request the recognition but are still honored in some fashion.
Which is why, based on my giving history, I have been awarded the mGrowOld, LS & A class of 1981 memorial South Quad, third floor mens bathroom stall #5 toilet paper dispenser in my honor.
Your welcome.
Every time someone wipes in stall #5 I hope it brings a tear to your eye.
It's right next to this sign:
"Semen related costs run into the thousands every year"
I would argue that estimate seems kinda low.
What human endeavor is not at least somewhat semen related, after all?
...as do many others...on a daily basis.