Need-to-know details about Obama's speech at the University of Michigan on Friday
Ann Arbor has been abuzz this week with news that President Barack Obama is coming to the University of Michigan on Friday to give a speech.
But with U-M officials mum about the event because they hadn't received official White House confirmation, firm details were hard to find.
The White House has made its official announcement about the Obama visit, releasing key security details and entry information, and tickets will be distributed early tomorrow morning.
AnnArbor.com has a rundown of the need-to-know information:
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
Who: Obama. It will be his second address given at the University of Michigan since assuming office. In May 2010 he gave the school's commencement address.
What: A speech on college affordability.
When: 9:35 a.m. Friday
Where: At the Al Glick Field House at 1200 South State Street, just south of Yost Ice Arena. That area of State Street will be closed to traffic. Attendees are encouraged to walk and are not permitted to bring bags, water bottles, chairs and umbrellas. Signs or banners are also prohibited. Expect to go through airport-like security.
Why: Obama recently convened higher education leaders and advocates from around the country at a Dec. 5 forum to discuss affordability. U-M President Mary Sue Coleman was invited to attend, but declined citing a busy schedule. However she addressed an open letter to Obama two weeks later imploring him to seriously tackle the issue of high college costs and decreasing public university funding.
How: You'll need a ticket to get in. Roughly 3,000 tickets will be distributed starting at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Michigan Union Ticket Office. They are free, but limited in supply. They will be distributed on a first-come basis, according to U-M, and you can't get multiples. Doors to the Union open at 7 a.m.
Read previous coverage about Obama's upcoming visit to Ann Arbor:
State Street to be closed for Obama visit to Ann Arbor; AATA routes detoured
Obama scheduled to speak at University of Michigan on Friday
Obama's second visit to Ann Arbor shows he's 'not taking Michigan for granted'
Obama in Ann Arbor: College affordability theme will resonate with University of Michigan students
President Obama: 'Higher education can't be a luxury - it is an economic imperative'
U-M president 'could not agree more' with Obama's remarks on college affordability
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
G-Man
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 10:22 p.m.
The best part of the whole State of the Union production was the speech by Mitch Daniels. Perhaps it's not too late to get Mitch to come and speak instead of the impending campaign speech by the President?
hank
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 7:52 p.m.
Interesting 91% of Americans agree with what our President said during the State of the Union speech. judging by the comments here today this is where the 9% that doesn't agree with Obama lives.
trespass
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 1:07 p.m.
Several Chinese scientists came to the University of Michigan in the 1990's to study with one of the world's experts on industrial dust explosions, like those at Apple's Chinese suppliers. This was part of the American effort to help China's economy which had been close to collapse in the 1980's. However, when those scientists went back to China they did not work on industrial safety but instead went to work for the Chinese military on making better bombs. These are the choices China's authoritarian regime has made but American universities still keep making deal after deal with them and sending our technology to China to help them modernize their military and compete with us for jobs. Obama says we are now serious about fair trade but he is coming to the University of Michigan tommorow and I wish he would speak to President Mary Sue Coleman and tell her the the UM is an American university and should be doing everything it can to help us compete with China. Read more at <a href="http://www.china-threat.com" rel='nofollow'>www.china-threat.com</a>
G. Orwell
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:34 a.m.
"U-M President Mary Sue Coleman was invited to attend, but declined citing a busy schedule." Even in Ann Arbor, people are abandoning ship. Not a good sign.
hank
Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 1:47 p.m.
Abandoning ship, for who Mr. 1% or space man newt.
Doug
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 8:33 p.m.
It's a good sign that not all Ann Arbor people aren't fooled by President O'bama's speeches.
Fordie
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 1:27 p.m.
Mr. Orwell, I would have thought that as an author, you would be able to read. "Obama recently convened higher education leaders and advocates from around the country at a Dec. 5 forum to discuss affordability. U-M President Mary Sue Coleman was invited to attend, but declined citing a busy schedule"
G. Orwell
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:10 a.m.
Will he or won't he show Friday morning? Obama has been ordered to appear in court in Georgia tomorrow. I guess he can catch the red eye. No mention of it by the controlled MSMs. I guess they are covering for him again.
hank
Fri, Jan 27, 2012 : 1:44 p.m.
He was ordered by a judge to show up to prove his citizenship that has been in higher federal courts that settled this issue already. Does this judge have a law degree,shame on him.
Dan
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:07 a.m.
President Mary Sue Coleman can't attend the speech?!?! Maybe she's embarrassed about how expensive U-M tuition is because this university doesn't know how to control costs!
Fordie
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.
Dan, read that section again. She couldn't attend the November summit. Nowhere does it say she won't attend the speech.
Pershing1918
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:15 a.m.
Its is amazing that people actually think Obama is coming here to help students...He is coming here for money from teacher unions and public administrators. It is ironic considering massive the increases in wages and benefits, for these same public school teachers and administrators, is the very reason schools cost so much. It is also interesting that while their benefits go up, at tax payers expense, the quality of our educational system seems to be failing our children in a big way. I think Obama should golf everyday for the rest of his administration...he would certainly cause the country less harm.
Tesla
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:59 a.m.
We're gonna WIN! Go Obama! Go USA!
Doug
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 8:34 p.m.
Going! Going! Gone!
Max Maximus
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:30 a.m.
Obama's coming? Yawn................is it November yet?
Andy Price
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 1:44 a.m.
Bring on the Obama hater comments! I, for one, think it reflects well on UM to have the president visit us again.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 12:31 a.m.
When will City Council be passing resolution about Obama's visit?
Albert Howard
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 12:23 a.m.
It would be appropriate for Ann Arbor area leaders to host a Presidential Prayer Breakfast for Barack Obama.
Doug
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.
Great idea because a lot of people know Muslim prayers.
Steve
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 1:50 a.m.
What good would that do? Everyone knows Obama is an atheist. That's why I'm voting for him.
Harry Potter
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 11:50 p.m.
Who cares. Republican for life. I'm a wizard and I endorse Newt Gingrich for president.
hank
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
I'm not convinced about that wizard part.
Anders
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 12:11 a.m.
Talking about putting party before country.
Travelinkid
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
I'd rather see him go to Washington and do some work instead of campaigning. How much does it cost to fly Air Force One here to tell us college costs are high???
G. Orwell
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 4:31 a.m.
"How much does it cost to fly Air Force One here to tell us college costs are high???" Lot less than signing another bill to give bank lobbyists hundreds of billions of dollars.
johnnya2
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:30 a.m.
So the president of the United States can only work from his office in Washington? If only the invented some way he could communicate with other people without being chained to a desk. I know someday they will come up with some device that you might punch some numbers and connect with other people and have a discussion with them. They might even make a device that allows you to communicate a message in an electronic format. They might call it something like electronic mail, or maybe email for short. I am sure that is WAY off in the future though.
SMC
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 11:37 p.m.
A lot less than it cost to fly the last occupant to and from Texas all the time.
average joe
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:13 p.m.
A2.com cracks me up- The 'who, what, where, when, & why' (who- Obama. LOL!) They never seem to care to include these five important facts in very many of their other stories. And, I for one "don't need to know".
umichjim
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:49 p.m.
Not to get off track, what with all the ranting and raving and all, but is AA.com aware of any street closings due to the visit? If so, these might affect rush hour traffic into the campus/downtown area and would be good to publicize. You may now resume the ranting and raving.
umichjim
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
Thank you, Tony.
Tony Dearing
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:24 p.m.
We just published a story regarding that. You'll find it here: <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/state-street-to-be-closed-for-obama-visit-to-ann-arbor/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/state-street-to-be-closed-for-obama-visit-to-ann-arbor/</a>
fjord
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:59 p.m.
I saw somewhere that State Street will be closed from 5 a.m. to noon from approximately Henry to Arch.
Mike
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:28 p.m.
It will just be more about how life is unfair, rich people need to pay more taxes, and the best one of all; that government should not be any larger than is absolutely necessary. I liked that one the best in his state of the union speech. Funny how he didn't blame George Bush for the high unemployent rate and us closing in on 16 trillion dollars in debt. I paid for my own education, every penny, all the way through grad school. Nobody was there to help me out, I didn't ask my neighbors to pay higher taxes so I could go to school. As long as the government continues to pump more money into higher education the universities will be glad to take it and pay out accordingly. More money always seems to be the answer, not less spending.
johnnya2
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:26 a.m.
This is a flat out lie. I GUARANTEE you had federal money at some place in your college experience. Name where you went to school, and I will gladly point out where you accepted FEDERAL and most likely state tax dollars. There is not a single accredited school that does not take money. So your assertion is factual incorrect. Typical of the right wing, if they don't like the facts, lie or distort them
Susie Q
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:26 a.m.
I wonder where Mike attended college. Most schools receive federal and/or state funding that helps defray the cost of college. I paid my way through college, too, but I could make enough money with a part-time job during the school year and a full time job over the summer. Those opportunities no longer exist. Minimum wage jobs will NOT pay for a college education.
Usual Suspect
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 12:30 a.m.
"Right wing Americans all think they are the best in the world" Error. Right wing American's think we ALL have the potential to be the best in the world, but it requires some effort and self responsibility.
The Black Stallion3
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 11:57 p.m.
Left wing Americans all think they are the best in the world
Anders
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10:25 p.m.
Right wing Americans all think they are the best in the world. They get everything on their own. Everyone else is just leecher. Remember, even if you don't drive, you also benefit from better road. Even if you never get sick, you benefit from a healthy populatioin. Even if you go all your way through private schools, you benefit from a well-educated population. You no longer live in a cave. Other people's well being benefit YOU. You just don't realize it, or choose not to.
Feat of Clay
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
If not one penny of public money went to fund any aspect of your education, I'm curious as to where you attended. Hillsdale, or maybe Grove City?
Rich
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
What is the deal with Mary Sue Coleman? How can your schedule be too busy for the President of the United States? Maybe she could rearrange a meeting or two and try to squeeze him in...
joe.blow
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
Maybe she'll get a direct transmission of the teleprompter. Good for her.
ScioReader
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
If you read the story carefully, Pres Coleman couldn't attend the earlier summit and thus wrote a letter. I assume she will be there Friday!
PSJ
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
Good for President Coleman! She's got a university to run. Why should she rearrange her schedule to listen to the President's campaign speech?
smokeblwr
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:08 p.m.
It is going to be tough getting to my job at the Packard Pub on Friday.
smokeblwr
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:27 p.m.
Nooooooooo!!!! Guess I'll go to the ObamaRally and voice my displeasure at being unemployed, eh?
xmo
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8 p.m.
"tackle the issue of high college costs and decreasing public university funding. " Why does the public have to pay for YOUR education? Shouldn't the University price college so that students can afford it? Why not have public funding for my car purchase? for my house purchase? For my TV purchase For My vacation?
bobr
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:25 a.m.
I suppose with your reasoning you built the road you drive your car on.
Anthony Clark
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 3:02 a.m.
Because your car purchase does not benefit society as a whole. An educated population does.
Max Maximus
Thu, Jan 26, 2012 : 2:36 a.m.
The U of M is a public university in perception only. They could pull the plug on state funding any day and it wouldn't hurt their finances very much. It was *the* University of Michigan long ago, but it's a self-sustaining entity these days.
Anders
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 10:21 p.m.
Because other people pay for things that you use and they don't use. It's called social contract. We are not in a primitive society any more. Selfishness is destroying this country. Rhetorics like yours are convincing at first. But disastrous after giving a little bit more thought.
leaguebus
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:39 p.m.
Without public funding for things like education, the playing field gets really skewed to the rich and the American Dream as we know it goes down the tubes. But maybe thats what the we don't have any money and still need to cut taxes crowd wants, especially if they are in the Romney 15% crowd.
Are you serious?
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:18 p.m.
We live in a society where we all share expenses for other people but we don't get any direct benefit ourselves. Most people don't have children in public school. Some never had children yet they all pay taxes for public school education. Should only parents pay for public school education? You can make that argument, but I think most of us agree that sharing expenses for the society at whole is a fair system. Are you willing to give up your mortgage tax deduction on your house? If you are good for you but otherwise you're being subsidized by people who rent. The list is endless how we all share expenses to create a society, education and higher education is just one of them.
smokeblwr
Wed, Jan 25, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
Your ideas are intriguing to me, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.