‘Gay Bar’ event to answer legal questions
The Multicultural Education and Resource Center (MERC) paired with ALLIES is hosting the speech, “Talking About The Other Gay Bar” by Paul Strugul. ALLIES is the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and questioning (GLBTQ) support group on campus for faculty and staff. Strugal, an attorney from Wisconsin, specializes primarily in law for senior citizens, but also helps many people with GLBTQ issues. His speech will cover how two gay people can protect themselves under a will, what retirement will mean for one’s partner and how to provide health benefits for the other person. He will speak about issues that many gay people face as they are trying to make a life for themselves, though they cannot be married. The event is open for anyone who is interested: faculty, staff and even students who may not be thinking about these issues right now. “What you find out today might not help you today, but it could be helpful for someone who could benefit from this in the future,” said Shirley Brazzo, assistant director at MERC. The event will be held in 2303 Hedgecock on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. for free.
– Lucy Hough
New educational program unveiled
NMU is collaborating with Central Michigan University on a program that will allow students to seamlessly transition from the specialist in education degree (Ed.S.) to the doctorate in educational leadership (Ed.D.). Thirty-one students are enrolled this fall in the first classes for the Ed.S., which NMU is responsible for programming and awarding. CMU will deliver the Ed.D. content and confer that degree. “This is the first such partnership I’m aware of and it will serve as a model for collaboration in the state,” said Rodney Clarken, associate dean of the NMU School of Education. “Two universities that might be considered competitors are instead working together on being good stewards of state, university and student resources while developing quality school leaders.” The three faculty members involved in delivering Northern’s portion of the program are Derek Anderson, Dennis Stanek and June Schaefer. Anderson enrolled in CMU’s doctoral program at a satellite location in Escanaba and graduated in 2006. “At first I thought NMU should consider offering its own doctorate to take advantage of its status in the Upper Peninsula in terms of respect for its education programs and loyalty to the university,” said Anderson. “But it wasn’t practical with the population base to sustain that, so we developed something that would be a win-win for both institutions. As we establish a rotation, maybe we’ll offer this every four or five years so people can plan ahead.” Anderson said Northern’s Ed.S. program had struggled, but making it part of a strategic segue to Central’s doctorate has increased its value and enrollment. Central benefits, he added, because students who complete up to 24 credits at NMU are obviously committed to an education beyond the master’s level, so it increases the likelihood they will complete their Ed.D. degree.
– NMU News Bureau
