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…
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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"!
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.
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.
I love the JFK plaque outside the Michigan Union
too soon
That was mostly rherorical, but yeah.. J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach.
ughhhhh
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"
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.
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?