Stephen Ross reloads the Michigan Money Cannon
The University of Michigan's biggest donor, billionaire real estate mogul Stephen M. Ross, has made another hefty donation to his alma mater, pushing it over its $1 billion campaign goal for student support.
UM announced Wednesday, Sept. 20, that Ross has made a $50 million donation, bringing his lifetime giving total to $378 million.
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2017/09/umich_alum_stephen_ross_donate.html
Stephen Ross appreciation thread?
September 20th, 2017 at 4:24 PM ^
The message board reply I quickly hacked out had an improper word choice or two. Therefore I must never have gone to college. You've got me on that one. QED.
I wish I had gone to college, though. Then I'd know what an "illiterate number" was.
(And, if I'm sussing the gist your message correctly, I'd also understand why you assume that only the college-educated are literate.)
September 20th, 2017 at 7:44 PM ^
September 20th, 2017 at 1:44 PM ^
September 20th, 2017 at 2:24 PM ^
Socialist Human Rights Party succeeded in electing two candidates to the Ann Arbor city council in 1972. The council also voted to get us out of Nicaragua around the same time. It is funny how far they thought a city council's reach should be.
Ann Arbor used to have republicans and democrats and the HRP and other oddities on council. Now just various flavors of democrats.
Ann Arbor as a whole is slightly less left than it used to be but more homogenous politically now. I guess due to gentrification.
September 20th, 2017 at 1:59 PM ^
Did you miss the part where it read "a little more?"
And it has. A little bit.
September 20th, 2017 at 2:01 PM ^
As someone who went to business school, I can assure you that my mind is not filled with horseshit. There's some horseshit in there, of course, but it's not full...
September 20th, 2017 at 2:02 PM ^
Funny you would say this given the tough spot that boomers have placed millenials in today.
At some point people need to assess what is best for their own interest. Paying $250k to go to a 4 year institution isn't necessarily a financially savvy move to make. For certain degrees, yes it is worth the risk, but again, everyone should assess their own plan.
September 20th, 2017 at 2:41 PM ^
I had this very discussion with my child a few years ago. She wanted to go to college out of state.
I told her it didn't make any sense to go out of state to get a teaching degree (her desired profession at the time). I told her you could go to Eastern (no offense, Eagles) and be a teacher. She didn't need to go to ASU, IU, DePaul, or any of her other desired colleges to get a teaching degree.
I told her I'd cover in-state. If she insisted on going out of state, the balance would be on her.
She went away to college, but stayed in state. She also no longer wants to be a teacher.
I feel like I won. At least I see her more than I would have.
September 20th, 2017 at 7:00 PM ^
September 20th, 2017 at 2:40 PM ^
September 20th, 2017 at 2:52 PM ^
Is about 50k per year (or more), and I think that's just tuition. In-state, tuition only is about 14k, so double that for a dorm and meal plan.
Of course, most people aren't paying that full amount as Michigan offers very generous academic and need-based financial aid packages (for in-state students at least).
My wife quit her job a couple years ago, so we're living off just my salary. Michigan was very generous.
September 20th, 2017 at 3:34 PM ^
Out of state is 60K for room, board, supplies.
Virtually the same as Princeton, Duke, and other name private schools.
It's shockingly expensive.
September 21st, 2017 at 11:55 AM ^
my freshman year in 1998 I spent $12,000 ($3,000/ semester for dorm/food, and $3,000 for tuition). By the time I graduated from Engineering school (transfered in) my tuition had raised to $5,000/ semester and rent was $6,000 for the year. I can't believe that tuition is now in the mid $20,000s. I am very happy that the University and Donors are looking to make costs reasonable for kids to attend.
September 20th, 2017 at 8:57 PM ^
Care to elaborate on your comment....
"given the tough spot that boomers have placed millenials in today"
September 20th, 2017 at 1:37 PM ^
So you think less education is the answer to the problems of the world? And that will somehow lead to more independent thinking?
September 20th, 2017 at 2:04 PM ^
True story: A guy who works on the recieving dock where I work was telling me about how his daughter is graduating college. Said it was the first person in his family who ever graduated anything other than high school. I said " Hey congratulations! That's amazing!" He says to me completely serious. "You kidding? I hate it. It turned her into a liberal."
Here we are, world!
September 20th, 2017 at 3:07 PM ^
Wanted my daughter to go to Notre Dame instead of Michigan because it was more conservative.
They apparently haven't noticed that she's a socialist lesbian.
September 20th, 2017 at 3:39 PM ^
Subconsciously she's looking for a strong husband. In her case it's the government.
September 20th, 2017 at 4:35 PM ^
September 20th, 2017 at 5:07 PM ^
September 20th, 2017 at 5:12 PM ^
Hmmmm...Aren't all nuns female?
September 20th, 2017 at 8:15 PM ^
September 20th, 2017 at 10:00 PM ^
I think the suggestion was different education. And I for one agree that diversifying our college-aged population into a greater variety of local and technical institutions will reduce group-think and lead to more independent thinking. Worth a try, maybe?
September 20th, 2017 at 2:23 PM ^
This idea is incredibly dumb. Bc some people don't know what to do with their degree or fail to have the forsight to get a degree that will prepare them for a good job, doesn't mean we have too many educated people.
It is true that you don't need to have a degree to be successful, however the stats are that if you have a college degree, you will earn 56% more than someone with a high school degree. Since the end of the most recent recession, most gains have went to people with a college degree. See link... These trends are probably not going to go away with a rapid transitioning workforce which will feature more AI and automation-based industries .
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/workers-with-no-college-degree-fall-furthe…
September 20th, 2017 at 2:26 PM ^
We're all fucked when the AI gets just a little more advanced.
September 20th, 2017 at 5:33 PM ^
Every time I post my post comes up blank on the first posting.
Anyone else have this happen?
I was saying that AI is going to be a massive game changer and way sooner than most people think or want to believe.
September 20th, 2017 at 10:50 PM ^
...30 years ago. But yeah, maybe soon...
September 20th, 2017 at 1:40 PM ^
If your scary outcomes are student loans I am with you. If you are supporting free college for everyone - even for degrees that are not employable, then not so much.
I will agree education funding is broken but I don't agree that the solution is sending even more people to college when trade jobs go wanting. My company wants software developers and does not care if they have a degree if they can code. If fact there is a real push in tech to technical training over college degrees.
September 20th, 2017 at 2:15 PM ^
So glad I got 2 degrees for $100k to get a job that really only required technical skills that could be taught in 6mo-year. It is just stupid.
The 2-3 years of core and liberalization classes are great for a well rounded society but by far, not a good investment in pure $.
September 20th, 2017 at 10:21 PM ^
then you chose poorly
September 20th, 2017 at 2:09 PM ^
The business school doesn't need more money, and that's where all $50 million of his donation is going AGAIN. The university sucks him off like he's some kind of saint when really his donation benefits a microcosm of the student population. I see no need for celebration and reverance unless I were in the business school.
September 20th, 2017 at 2:26 PM ^
well duh...the school has HIS NAME on it...would you prefer it to go to the Philosophy department?
September 21st, 2017 at 2:53 PM ^
He can donate his money wherever he wants but the University doesn't need to roll out the fucking red carpet every time he does.
September 20th, 2017 at 2:28 PM ^
And I'm glad for any donation, to any department. Why? Because maybe his $50 million eases up the financial pressure on the rest of the school, allowing it to provide additional assistance to other programs.
September 20th, 2017 at 9:03 PM ^
I do not understand why people get their undies in a bunch on where he gives it to at Michigan. First off, it is HIS money and he has every right to decide what to do with it. Would any of us like someone else telling us who to give our money to. He could also give his money to his other 2 universities he did attend after Michigan. Better here than there.
September 20th, 2017 at 3:29 PM ^
Education is extremely well funded in this country.
And then all that money is pissed away on anything and everything but the kids.
September 20th, 2017 at 1:16 PM ^
UM always has been, is now, and will always be about more than athletics.
September 20th, 2017 at 1:32 PM ^
What could we do? The athletics department already has more than it can possibly spend, at least when it comes to revenue sports like football and basketball.
September 20th, 2017 at 3:37 PM ^
Hey, those $100,000 staff assistant analysts in the AD aren't just going to fund themselves.
September 20th, 2017 at 1:32 PM ^
was very excited to see that it was for educational purposes and not for athletics.
September 20th, 2017 at 1:49 PM ^
I think this is the first time I've downvoted you for legitimate reasons. I'm not quite sure what I'm feeling right now.
September 20th, 2017 at 1:51 PM ^
This may be my post-graduate life saying this, but I'm more interested in seeing us at the top of the rankings when it comes to academics and research. There are plenty of schools that do quality work and this should help immensely.
September 20th, 2017 at 1:54 PM ^
September 20th, 2017 at 2:23 PM ^
I never dreamed of going to U-M because I knew how unrealistic it was
I'm a Michigan fan and my goal has always been to move to Ann Arbor and get season tickets for the Big 3 sports.
I stay in my lane when it comes to U-M academics. Those don't apply to me and I'm not interested in them.
I'm gonna be the first in my immediate family to get a college degree in May and I'm going to every Football home game this season.
Things are pretty good for me.
September 20th, 2017 at 5:02 PM ^
I wouldn't even respond to this "person". He or she probably got into Michigan, but decided to to to MSU instead, like 95% of all MSU matriculations.
He or she seems like the perfect "packaging" major.
September 20th, 2017 at 2:31 PM ^
I'm not one to defend WD, but that was harsh. It's not like he goes to Ohio State.
/says the guy who told his daughter, since birth, that we're a Michigan family and only stupid people go to MSU
September 20th, 2017 at 3:33 PM ^
Well that's just preaching the truth (with respect to MSU). Excepting of course the small group of students who actually want to be large animal vets.
September 20th, 2017 at 3:53 PM ^
This is Michigan Arrogance QED. As an alumunus, piss off man. I'd rather have WD around than you
September 20th, 2017 at 4:56 PM ^
The same as it feels for you to fail at being a compassionate human being instead of an arrogant dick.