OPEN-BOOK
Though Michigan’s Public Act 201 has fueled the concerns of some skeptics, the measure is a responsible and encouraging move toward transparency
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Though at first glance the Michigan Public Act 201 of 2012 may seem a little bit invasive, the act – which requires public higher education institutions like Grand Valley State University to provide online links to documents like crime statistics, budget summaries and reports, as well as a full list of employee’s annual salaries – it makes a lot of sense in an environment aimed at open-booked awareness.
Although at GVSU the documents required under the new stipulation have always been accessible for those he knew where to look or who to ask, employee salaries have only been available in a single copy at Allendale’s Zumberge library. The comprehensive new list, which was posted to the university’s website on Dec. 21, has been met with a little bit of hesitance – though to be fair, the university’s Assistant Vice President for University Budgets said that out of the over-3,000 names included on the public payroll, only around a dozen expressed uneasiness about the measure.
“Since we’ve had salary information available for about 20 years in the library on campus, salaries aren’t a secret,” Richardson told the Lanthorn. “It’s not like we’ve been hiding it, it’s just that it wasn’t available on a website to the whole world.”
Though a little discomfort with the disclosure of information that seems so sensitive is understandable, as a gesture of transparency, the move is a responsible one on the part of the Michigan legislature. Clearing out any accessibility issues the general public might have with obtaining university reports not only makes sense, but through this kind of free flow of information, helps to separate ourselves from more calloused government regimes and foster a much more genuine spirit of democracy within the rising generations of students.
From a more practical perspective, we can hope that this signals a more invested state government, who will convene in coming days to announce the budget plan for fiscal year 2013-2014.
Perhaps they will find the same responsible logic in their funding method that they have in open document access, and in that same spirit, come to more intimately understand the individual plight of each public institution.
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Pictures of the Year 2012-2013
Courtesy Photo/Joe Kargula and Erik Peterson run the Marathon leg of the Ironman Triathlon
GVL / Robert Mathews Quarterback Heath Parling (12) leading the offense past Notre Dame College.
GVL / Eric Coulter Senior Jake Isaacson placed eigth in the Spartan Invitational. Isaacson's time of 25:04 was the highest among Division II athletes.
GVL/Jessica Hollenbeck Student Senate President Jack Iott speaks to the assembly during Thursday's meeting.
Courtesy / gvsu.edu President Haas and Montcalm Community College President Robert C. Ferrentino sign the transfer agreement
Courtesy Photo/ GVSU Athletic Department Sophomore Chris Cunningham lines up a putt at a past match.
Courtesy Photo / GVSULakers.com Andrew Darrell prepares to return the serve earlier this season.
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Jessica Hollenbeck President Haas cooks pancakes during Family Weekend's "Pancakes with Presidents".
GVL / Archive Forward Briauna Taylor (31) chases down a lose ball in a game last season
Courtesy Photo / Dean Breest Sophomore Allyson Winchester was named the GLIAC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year after finishing first with a time of 20:48.8.
GVL / Archive GVSU's Breland Hogan rises and fires over three defenders last season.
GVL/Bo Anderson Briauna Taylor leads the fast break during a game earlier this season.
GVL / Robert Mathews Associate Vice President for Facilities Planning, James Moyer, leading a walk through of the Mary Ideam Pew Library
Courtesy Photo / GVSU DII Men's Hockey Jeremy Christopher chases down a puck during a matchup last season.
GVL / Bo Anderson Students and faculty danced under the spectacular light show in the Devos Place Ballroom
GVL / Robert Mathews Martin L�wenberg, holocaust survivor, speaking at the Genocide Awareness Night presentation in the Grand River Room.
Courtesy / Dean Breest Senior Sam Lockhart finishes her indoor career with two individual national championships in weight throw and shot put at the 2013 National Championships.
Archive / Robert Mathews Giancarlo Brugnoni (40) rounding the bases during a previous game.
GVL/Bo Anderson Seniors Christ Koppenaal, Bill Madsen, and Mitch Weber measure the exterior of the Wesley House as part of an energy audit.
GVL / Robert Mathews Senior Anthony Campanella pitching against Tiffin University during the Lakers double header.
GVL / Eric Coulter Brother Jed Smock, a member of Campus Ministry USA, speaks with fervor to a student. Many students, all with differing views, came to watch the Campus Ministry members speak.
GVL / Sean Mouton A passing walker stops to admire some recently constructed pieces of Art Prize 2012.
GVL Archive Senior Nick Gunthorpe follows through and watches his shot at the Ardenson last year. This weekend the team will be playing in South Haven.
GVL / Bo Anderson GVSU's Katie Martin points to her teammate after safely reaching second base.
GVL / Robert Mathews Mary Idema Pew Library Learning and Information Commons under construction.
GVL / Archive The Grand Valley Rowing Team during Spring Training in Florida last spring.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
GVL / Robert Mathews Judge Glenda Hatchett, keynote guest for Monday's King celebration, speaks in the Grand River Room in Kirkhof.
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All day | GVSU Men's Golf at NCAA Div II Championship
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11:00 am | GVSU Track & Field at NCAA Championships
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