June 26, 2009

Welcome, INSERT_FIRST_NAME to this issue of e-TrueBlue.
Update your contact information and settings online.
Your Alumni ID number is INSERT_CUSTOM02.
INSERT_CUSTOM01

To ensure delivery of e-TrueBlue to your inbox (not bulk or junk mail folder), please add malumni@umich.edu to your address book or safe list.

Michigan News

The board of regents approved last week the University's fiscal year 2010 general fund budget, which includes an 11.7 percent increase in financial aid and 5.6 percent tuition increase for most students on the Ann Arbor campus. Highlights of the $1.46 billion budget proposed by President Mary Sue Coleman and Provost Teresa Sullivan include:

• State funding—U-M assumes it will receive $316.6 million in state support, the amount it received in 2006 and $10 million less than it received this year.
• Budget cuts—The University's fiscal planning process calls for $36.5 million in budget cuts over the next three years. Units were asked to pare their budgets by 1 percent for FY 2010, resulting in $15.2 million in savings through elimination of some positions, not replacing equipment and other operational efficiencies.
• Salary increases—President Mary Sue Coleman, the executive officers and the U-M's 19 deans will not receive merit salary increases. A modest merit salary program for faculty and staff is included.

Learn more about the FY2010 budget online.

AAUM Member Benefits

Do you have a career question and don't know where to find the answer? Let our virtual panel of career experts field your questions for free. Each month, we publish a question and answer. Our experts are Michigan alumni holding high-level positions in human resources, recruiting, business, technology and other areas. They are happy to guide you with strategic advice to make career decisions, manage your career and use the Michigan network to your advantage. Read what your fellow alumni are asking online.

As an Alumni Association member, you're invited to the Annual Alumni Ice Cream Social, taking place on Friday, July 17, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the Ann Arbor Art Fairs. Last year nearly 500 alumni and their families joined us for free Stucchi's ice cream, and a variety of games and activities. This year promises to be even more fun as we include more delicious toppings for you to indulge your sweet tooth and bring in the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair's "Art Zone" for kids. Additionally, the art fair's performance stage is a hop, skip and a jump away on Ingalls Mall, where you can take in some great performances from local groups.

Summer means family fun, and as an Alumni Association member you can save on Cedar Point tickets. The park has 75 thrilling rides, including 17 world-class roller coasters. There are four different locations themed just for children and multiple live shows. You can also save at other amusement parks and theme parks around the country. Learn more on our Web site and get your tickets.

2009 grads! Check out pictures from our recent Graduation Ticket Pickup event and VIP After Party, which was at the Alumni Center April 27-29.

The Hispanic Alumni Council, an official affiliate group of the Alumni Association, will hold an annual retreat November 5-7, 2009. The event will be held on the Ann Arbor campus and promises to be an exciting weekend. For further information, visit our website at http://hac.umclubs.com/.

Research

Some video games can make children kinder to others, according to a report by a consortium of researchers in the June issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. The article presents the findings of three separate studies, all of which found that playing games with pro-social content causes players to be more helpful to others after the game is over. "Taken together, these findings make it clear that playing video games is not in itself good or bad for children," said U-M's Brad Bushman, a co-author of the report."The type of content in the game has a bigger impact than the overall amount of time spent playing."

Science & Health

CS Mott Children's Hospital has been named among the nation's best pediatric hospitals in the 2009 edition of "America's Best Children's Hospitals." The listing ranks hospitals in 10 different areas. U-M's Mott was fourth in heart and heart surgery, 11th in kidney care, 11th in orthopedics, and among the nation's best for the pediatric specialties of cancer, diabetes, digestive disorders, neonatal care and respiratory disorders. The ranking weighed a three-part blend of reputation, outcome and care-related measures such as nursing care, advanced technology and credentialing. The listing is featured in the August issue of US News & World Report.

True Blue Travel

Join us on a journey through the heart of the magnificent regions of Burgundy and Provence Aboard the MV Princess de Provence. Along the scenic banks of the Rhône River visit Roman ruins, medieval abbeys, charming villages and Gothic cathedrals, while cruising to the magnificent cities of Lyon, Avignon and Arles. Our itinerary features a full program of cultural enhancements, including a specially arranged wine tasting and a private recital at a historic château. You'll also enjoy an excursion in Beaujolais wine country. Enjoy a limited time waiver of the single supplement for all single AAUM travelers. Learn more about True Blue Travel online.

Sports

Senior wrestler Steve Luke and women's track and field senior Tiffany Ofili have been selected as the 2008-09 Male and Female Athletes of the Year by the U-M Athletic Department. The pair was also nominated for the Big Ten Conference Jesse Owens Male and Suzy Favor Female Athlete of the Year awards. Luke, a biology major, was perfect in his final collegiate season, posting a flawless 32-0 record en route to the NCAA 174-pound title. Enrolled in the College of Pharmacy, Ofili capped her extraordinary U-M career by winning her third straight 100-meter hurdles title, helping lead the Wolverines to their third consecutive top-10 finish at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Regional Events

e-TrueBlue is sent to all members of the Alumni Association via email as a benefit of membership. If you would prefer to receive the text-only version of this newsletter, send an email to malumni@umich.edu.

Unless indicated, the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan does not have a relationship with any of the Web sites or businesses mentioned in e-TrueBlue. The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan is not responsible for any inaccuracies found on these connections.

Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, 200 Fletcher St., Ann Arbor, MI, 734.764.0384, 800.847.4764, malumni@umich.edu