You are viewing this article in the AnnArbor.com archives. For the latest breaking news and updates in Ann Arbor and the surrounding area, see MLive.com/ann-arbor
Posted on Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 5:59 a.m.

More than 300 volunteers clean up the Big House following Michigan football games

By bob horning

See All Thumbnails

I've often wondered — how long does it take to clean up the Big House after a game? Cindy Pressprich, who organizes the crew from Father Gabriel Richard High School, claimed it takes them two hours. I was skeptical, so I decided to check it out the morning after the U-M vs. MSU game to see just what it was like.

Cindy and her co-coordinator, Jerry Bonar, had been there for a half-hour when I arrived at 8 a.m. A couple dozen people already were working, and a steady stream of others were coming in. The eventual count for the day was 346, about half being students, plus parents, siblings, even grandparents and friends.

They sign in, grab rakes, brooms, blowers and trash bags, walk to the top of the stadium, and begin moving the trash down 100 rows. There is the usual pizza and popcorn and peanuts and nachos and containers and bottles. This week, in addition, everything is covered in yellow — the remains, often shredded, of thousands of pom poms given out before the game.

In such a big place, 346 people looks like nobody, and I calculated that each person would be picking up after 300 fans. Two hours didn’t seem realistic. On the other hand, Gabriel Richard has been doing the job for most of the past 35 years.

I talked to several people as they worked. Abby Mackinnon, a junior from Plymouth, comes with her mother, and they stop at McDonald’s for breakfast on the way in. Abby was in section 40 putting water bottles into a white plastic bag for recycling. "The work isn’t my favorite thing to do," she said. "But it’s well-organized and the time goes fast. And it’s much better than going around my neighborhood asking for money through fundraisers to help with tuition. Nobody enjoys that."

She was referring to the money that the school makes for cleaning, which goes into the general operating budget and so effectively lowers the tuition for everyone.

10212012_ENT_MichiganStadiumCleanUp_DJB_0507.JPG

Temporary grounds crew member Jordan Lerch uses a leaf blower on the astroturf of Michigan Stadium on Sunday.

Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com

Then I met Jeanne Roelant and her two daughters and two nieces, ranging in age from seven to 12, and her mother, Mary. The kids already have logged 15 years between them in cleanup. Mary has learned to let them do the bending and picking up while she holds the bag. Jeanne, who has had two children graduate from Gabriel Richard, said doing the work fosters a sense of service and cooperation, and said she hopes it makes her children think about leaving trash in a public place.

While the cleaning is going on in the bowl, Boy Scout Troop 111 is cleaning outside the bowl and around Crisler Arena, and athletic department facility worker Scott Clayton’s crew is cleaning the field itself and collecting trash from the 110 containers in the parking lot and nearby streets.

Clayton told me that it’s easy working with Gabriel Richard. "They come in, get their tools, and off they go. They know what to do and have a plan. They need minimal help, no monitoring, and they do an excellent job. A couple years ago, vendors started selling peanuts in the shell, so that makes their job a bit tougher."

Bill Pressprich, Cindy’s husband, has been at the stadium for 14 years. "I have eight to go," he said. Five of their children have graduated from FGRHS and two more will.Bill is able to run a one-man operation with the help of an iron D-ring that he puts inside a trash bag to hold it open, then scoops the garbage in with a dust pan. "Cold and wet days are the worst because the trash freezes to the stands," he said. "But it’s great that more people are coming all the time, and seem to like it."

The sun, already shining brightly inside the north and west end of the stadium, is beginning to hit the south end where Joe Chavey is working with some other students. He is one of only a few to wear shorts, and his decision seems wiser now with the rising temperature.

More from the Beyond Football series

Miss last week's story? Check out the links below for all the Beyond Football stories from this season.

A short distance away is Joe’s father, Rusty, a family medicine physician at U-M Hospital. This is his first year working at the stadium since their first three children were home schooled through high school. "Doing this develops a sense of community and citizenship," he said." There’s something about seeing people from all walks of life picking up trash. There is no rank. We show up and follow orders — rake, sweep, use the blower, whatever they need."

Nearly two hours have passed and Fr. Richard Lobert, chaplain at FGRHS, is getting help setting up for Mass high up in the north end. He said that "Mass at the stadium is a convenience for folks who get up early to help and who would otherwise have to go home, change, then go to their own parish." 80 percent of them are able to stay this Sunday.

During the service, the grounds crew is down on the field throwing bags of trash onto a cart that holds two dumpsters. Twelve full dumpsters are taken from the bowl itself, and seven more full of recycled bottles and cardboard will be collected in and around the stadium.

Fr. Lobert said "the ‘congregation’ has learned to overlook the distractions of the work still going on, and at the same time appreciates the ambience of having Mass in a place where exciting athletic things happen. On cold or rainy days, the university has graciously allowed us to use the concourse at Crisler Arena."

Besides cleaning the stadium, the connection between the high school and the university has another aspect: Father Gabriel Richard, the Catholic priest after whom the school was named, was a co-founder of the University of Michigan, served as its vice president from 1821 to 1827, and was on the board of trustees until he died in 1832.

Afterwards, there is a short social time with juice and donuts — 34 dozen donuts this week to be exact, from Washtenaw Dairy.

After everyone has left — and after cleaning up their own food, of course — the mess in the stadium is gone and I was wrong. It did only take two hours. It is ready for the lacrosse game at 1 p.m., for the events during the week, and of course, for the U-M vs. Northwestern at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Comments

FGR Fan

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 5:14 p.m.

I'm just a Mom who participated in "stadium cleanup" during the 4 years my son was a student at FGR. I cleaned up plenty of cigarette butts, vomit, water bottles filled with chewing tobacco, pom poms, pizza boxes, cups, beer cans and liquor bottles - why?? For the chance to support Catholic education and for the glory of God. Sure - it's not for everyone but for those of us who have sacrificed to provide a Catholic educations for our children it has been a profound experience. The camaraderie and teamwork is priceless. Don't think for a minute that we are all rich and upper class - plenty of us are struggling economically but believe in Catholic education and the sacrifice it requires. All of us work side by side towards a common goal and for that opportunity I am grateful!!

mercury69

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.

A Catholic High School, and bigoted Boy Scouts... Where are more of my Tax dollars going?

a2citizen

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.

The two groups you mentioned are not paid out of the taxpayer-assisted, U-M operating fund. The volunteers are paid from the profits of the very profitable Athletic Department.

Ann23

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 11:46 p.m.

Paul Taylor, while your questions were abiguous at first, it seems you are now getting to the heart of your opinion in your responses. How does the idea of children and their families working for their education in a mutually beneficial situation, instead of relying on taxes, not benefit everyone? Unless you are against freedom of religion.

a2citizen

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:28 a.m.

Ann, Astute observation. Though this article emphasized GR's participation several other schools (in Saline and Ann Arbor, for example) help clean up to support their sports programs. From the article: "Cold and wet days are the worst because the trash freezes to the stands," Anybody can volunteer in September but the novelty generally wears off the first cold, rainy Sunday morning in October.

Ann23

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : midnight

I'm not Catholic. I do believe everyone should have the freedom to choose their religion (athiesm is a religion) and live by it without being demonized for doing so, as long as that religion respects human life.

AllDownHill

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.

Father Gabriel Richard High School must be happy with the arrangement to have done it all these years so i hope this article doesn't change that. They have made no big deal of the religious service and its only for their volunteers so that doesn't bother me either. I found Dr. Rusty Chavey's comments regarding social status and picking up trash interesting, particularly for someone in this town and most particularly in the new stadium. I still remember the old stadium. The most perfect college stadium in the country. A stadium where you might sit next to someone who could barely afford a ticket, or next to the president of a big company. I really don't care to look up and see the trash sitting above me. That's something the volunteers can't pick up.

a2 Brute?

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 11:15 p.m.

Hey Paul, I think I'm going to volunteer Nov 11, the day after the Northwestern game. I plan to kneel down in the end zone and say a "Hail Mary" just for you.

Ann23

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 11:07 p.m.

Oops, I didn't refresh well... Sorry for the repeat, thank you a2citizen for the additional information.

Ann23

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 11:06 p.m.

Paul, I would take it up a step and, instead of changing this great example, why not find more opportunities like this for other organizations? There should be more of this.

a2citizen

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.

Paul, It's not a question of another group having a crack at it. Everyone is welcome...atheists, mormans, jews, muslims, parolees, BLTGWs, crossdressers, Christians, pro-life democrats, pro-choice republicans, liberals, moderates, left wing radicals, right wing fanatics, Iraqi dissidents, Ugandan political refugees,... I'm not sure why they don't show up. Maybe 8am on a Sunday morning is too early. Or maybe they found out what the UM is paying.

Ann23

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.

Paul, I would take it a step further and suggest that more opportunities like this be found for other groups. It is a great example and instead of this example being changed, why not create more?

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.

Would there be something wrong with another group having a crack at it? It is a big stadium, and there is a lot of trash to go around.

Ann23

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 9:11 p.m.

I don't see a downside or reasons for criticism here. Families are working together to earn the ability for their kids to have a good education in a family oriented school. All of the money changing hands here goes right towards educating children. UofM benefits also. It teaches a good work ethic to the kids. And, maybe they value their school and education more because they're working for it. The parents may also be more invested because they are working for it (I am not saying that all public school parents and children aren't. I am a public school parent and I love my kids' school). Taxpayers don't have to pay for the education of these children.

a2citizen

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:39 a.m.

@paul taylor: Rather than question why Catholics volunteer, why not question why other creeds don't?

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 10:33 p.m.

This arrangement does not benefit everyone. It benefits the students of a private Catholic preparatory school, and definitely does not benefit the homeless and the under or unemployed. It benefits Catholics, and not the laundry list of other creeds and sects. Of course, had the report asked the questions I have raised, then all this back and forth would be rendered moot.

Ann23

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 10:09 p.m.

Basically, money for childrens' education needs to be made somewhere and be provided in some way. This seems to do that in a way that benefits everyone.

Ann23

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 9:54 p.m.

Paul, you have thoughtful questions and are not wrong in your points. I'm not quite clear on what you are getting at though. I am willing to guess that if other non-profit organizations wanted to find an opportunity like this to pursue, those opportunities are out there. Washtenaw County's unemployment rate is at a relatively great 5%. This is a situation of providing a service in exchange for money. That service is not provided in exchange for money that pays for an individual's wants and needs but for a benefit to the community. In a situation like this, two non-profit organizations working together for the education of children (something that benefits the community) and cutting out the "middle-men" and consequently, unneeded expenses, I can't see a downside, only many benefits. UofM needs this to be done anyway, why not funnel the money directly to an organization that benefits children in a way that teaches things that more children could benefit from learning.

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 9:36 p.m.

Addressing the issue of taxpayers paying for their tuition, if the money comes from the University, a tax-funded institution, then, yes, taxpayers are paying for tuition to this private school. Even if the funds come from coffers filled by ticket sales, the opportunity would not exist if not for the taxpayers providing, and paying for, the institution and the facilities it enjoys.

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.

The criticisms have less to do with what FGRHS is doing than with the lack of answers to questions that naturally arise in the course of the story. Such questions are 1.) how much does the U pay for this service, 2.) how does this impact University employees, and, 3.) is this arrangement open to other groups. The criticism is that annarbor.com, in the course of reporting the story, does not address these relevant issues.

HENRYK

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 8:15 p.m.

The University has so much $ and they take volunteers to clean it up. $40.00 to just park your car and free labor here. I know people want to do this but everyone needs some extra cash always.

smokeblwr

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 6:22 p.m.

I bet UM writes any compensation off as a tax deduction. Nobody is more conniving than UM.

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 7:44 p.m.

I think it is more likely that central office beancounters and attorneys are unaware of the existence of this arrangement. Its existence would seem to cause more potential headaches than it solves.

a2citizen

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 7:24 p.m.

The UM does not pay taxes.

Erhard Rothe

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.

How much does UM Pay? A reasonable sum for 346 people working for two hours at minimum wage is about $5200. I certaily hope that the sum "donated" is more than $10,000. But is it? An why is that not in the story?

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 7:41 p.m.

Good questions.

justcurious

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 5:19 p.m.

Great article. Very informative and it sounds like a great group of folks participate in this.

MMB95

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 3:14 p.m.

The article still says the Northwestern game starts at 8. I really don't think it's going to be a night game (I haven't heard anything suggesting that anyway) and the UM Football page still lists the time as TBA. I think the author got the Nebraska away game confused with next week's Northwestern game. Also, isn't Crisler Arena supposed to be referred to as Crisler Center now?

Doug

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 3:08 p.m.

You left one thing out about the character of these workers. My family and I used to be part of the clean up crew. We were novices but the pros came over and always helped use finish our section. It shows the true character of these fine people.

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.

I realize that this is a "feel good" story, but it raises a host of questions, such as: Do these volunteers sign waivers in case of injury? I imagine some University-affiliated actuary having a fit of apoplexy reading the article. Are other groups offered the use of the facility for religious services in exchange for their cleaning services? Is this part of the package, or simply something FGRHS throws into the mix? Could other religious organizations use cleaning as an entre into use of the Big House as their god's house? How do the various unions feel about "volunteers" performing their work? Surely the University and/or the athletic program can afford to pay legitimate employees to perform what is an essential task. After all, how big is the endowment? Look for these questions, and many others, to be answered.... Never.

Pat

Sun, Oct 28, 2012 : 1:43 p.m.

I believe the relationship with FGRHS started when Don Canham was athletic director for U of M and his son was teaching at FGRHS. The athletic department has found a great way to avoid minimum wage laws for cleaning up their arenas and selling concessions. If you add up what they get paid compared to the hours they put in it is usually less than minimum wage. It does do a lot for the organizations in building a sense of community and fostering teamwork, but I think U of M should be paying at least minimum wage. FYI - he Tigers do the same thing at many of their concession stands.

a2 Brute?

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 11:34 p.m.

Paul, you said: "Response: I do not question their motives." Then you said: "Christ never said to clean a stadium for compensation". Sounds like you're questioning their motives.

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 10:30 p.m.

A2citizen: 1. "...Is this part of the package, or simply something FGRHS throws into the mix?..." Thousands of people volunteer every day for many different causes, for even more reasons. Why do you question someone's reason for volunteering? Response: I do not question their motives. I question the University providing a place of worship under what appears to be a preferential arrangement. 2. "...How do the various unions feel about "volunteers" performing their work?..." Why is it "their" work? Unions don't have a say in who volunteers. Why should a volunteer have to join a union? Response: I assume that Unions might have a grievance over work being taken from them. Labor agreements spell these things out. Workers died to win such recognition. My assumption is that there is work to be done, and which is generally done by union workers, and that such work may be kept from them by this arrangement. I never said volunteers need to join a union. 3.: "...Could other religious organizations use cleaning as an entre into use of the Big House as their god's house?...? Yes, other organizations could. Muslims, Jews, athiests, LBGWT's can volunteer. But if they do, will you question their motives? Response: I do not question their motives. I question the free use of a tax-funded facility for the apparently preferential use of one religious group for their worship. 4.: "...Surely the University and/or the athletic program can afford to pay legitimate employees to perform what is an essential task...." And then what would have the volunteers do? Mow your lawn? Response: Certainly not. They could do any number of things which more directly impact the people that Christ said they should tend to. Christ never said to clean a stadium for compensation stolen from laborers (Catholic doctrine is pretty clear in its stance on the rights of labor).

a2citizen

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 10:03 p.m.

"...Is this part of the package, or simply something FGRHS throws into the mix?..." Thousands of people volunteer every day for many different causes, for even more reasons. Why do you question someone's reason for volunteering? A person's reasons for volunteering are often personal. Maybe, just maybe, they just enjoy helping out just to help out...being it cleaning The Big House or sitting with patients in a hospice. "...How do the various unions feel about "volunteers" performing their work?..." Why is it "their" work? Unions don't have a say in who volunteers. Why should a volunteer have to join a union? "...Could other religious organizations use cleaning as an entre into use of the Big House as their god's house?...? Yes, other organizations could. Muslims, Jews, athiests, LBGWT's can volunteer. But if they do, will you question their motives? "...Surely the University and/or the athletic program can afford to pay legitimate employees to perform what is an essential task...." And then what would have the volunteers do? Mow your lawn?

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 9:02 p.m.

Concerned neighbor: if I want a "nice" story, I'll pick up Reader's Digest. That is the place for puff pieces. However, I want to read good journalism from a professional news outlet. There is a difference, albeit highly blurred today, between entertainment and journalism. Regarding your feelings... As an adult, one SHOULD have control over intense emotions, so I commend you. However, maturity means that you don't feel the need to tell the object of your anger that you are just barely managing to not blow your stack. That is the realm of adolescence. Now, responding further, I never questioned anyone's loyalty. I do not see where that enters into the picture. Of course, if you are truly concerned about loyalty, then you should be questioning the loyalty of the University to its own employees, on the one hand, who might be robbed of an opportunity to earn their wages, and to the unemployed people in the area, who have to deal with the University shadow in their lives every day, and who would also be happy to be doing this work for pay. You know, not being a 47-Percenter, earning their way, etc., etc., ad nauseum. Also, you needn't be sorrowful for my having the concerns I have expressed; they arise directly from my Catholic upbringing, wherein I was taught things like laying mountains low and lifting up valleys, caring for one's fellow man, keeping agreements, etc., etc., etc. At least, that is what I took away from it, and not scornful cries to accept that "life isn't fair," and attitudes that smack of "we've got ours, now you get lost." Such Randian Objectivism is anathema to Christianity, generally, and Catholicism, specifically. But, thanks for reading, and have a great day!

Concerned Neighbor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.

My oh my...there is always somebody who wants to rain on a nice story. Get a life and leave others alone. I feel very sorry for you to have such concerns. Must be an ambulance chaser. LIFE IS NOT FAIR! Accept it. Loyalty means something. Geeze. I am really controlling my real feelings towards you and similar thinking people.

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 7:39 p.m.

Doug: is the ACLU handling media criticism these days? 1bit: to ask if something is legitimate is not to indict its quality. Google the word for a definition. Whether or not volunteer labor is stepping on the toes of organized, contracted labor ("legitimate," in this case, according to definition) is an old question, and a fundamental one to be raised in an article ike this (which it was not). This is a question related to the serious matter of labor in our society. 1bit: Actually, FGRHS *is* a religious organization, both in practice and in definition. Moreover, this religious organization gets a special dispensation to hold a religious service on public property, and we are not told if this is offered to other religious groups. That is an entirely relevant question for journalists to raise, assuming they raise it. In this case, they did not, which is why, as a reader, I raise it in the comments section. It rises directly from a reading of the article: is this arrangement official, and are other organizations--religious or not--free to take part, or are they discriminated against? The length of time of the established relationship is irrelevant to the question of whether it is APPROPRIATE for UM to offer preferential treatment for one religious group over another, with regard to offering space for worship. FGRHS has a campus available for such activity; let them worship there. Sorry if you chaps don't like good journalism, but it means a lot to me, which is why I asked the questions.

1bit

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 3:36 p.m.

1. Not a "feel good" story. Just an informational bit. 2. I don't know whether they get waivers, but I'm sure there is insurance for it if they don't. 3. FGRHS has been working on Sundays for 35 years - it probably makes sense for the University to continue the relationship. FGRHS is not a "religious organization" it is a Catholic high school. 4. Did you know that the vendors at many of U of M athetic events are organizations (charitable and private)? They work for a portion of the proceeds. What makes these people any less "legitimate"? You don't think these people can sell goods or clean as well as union members?

Doug

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.

Paul, Maybe you should get the ACLU after them.

observer

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 1:55 p.m.

one would think that the university could pay them for their work.....I mean billions in endowments....just an observation....or maybe it is not so simple......

observer

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 6:48 p.m.

thank you 1bit, I need to hone up my reading comprehension skills some.....

Tesla

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 4:24 p.m.

lol....I opened this specifically to see if you clarified dfor the third time. Nicely done.

1bit

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.

Wow. It's a hat trick. Please re-read the article and my replies to the two previous posters who wrote the same thing. They get paid - it's in the article: "She was referring to the money that the school makes for cleaning, which goes into the general operating budget and so effectively lowers the tuition for everyone."

Paula Gardner

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.

Northwestern is the next home game (on Nov. 10), so that's been clarified for this story. Nebraska is tonight at 8 - an away game, so no stadium cleanup required!

Karen

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 12:51 p.m.

Maybe Nebraska has moved to Northwestern - it could happen :-)

UM owns

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 12:33 p.m.

"and of course, for the U-M vs. Northwestern at 8 p.m. Saturday." What??

HB11

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 12:14 p.m.

Wait- don't these groups do this for a donation to their organization? I have participated in cleanups such as this at other universities, and it is not done out of the goodness of your heart. It is done for the good of your organization receiving the fund-raising compensation.

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 2:27 p.m.

They also, apparently, are allowed to hold religious services in the stadium as part of the exchange.

1bit

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 12:57 p.m.

It's in the article, Tesla's post and the replies. Yes, they get paid for doing this.

Tesla

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 11:28 a.m.

Please tell me that the University makes a donation to a charity or something at least and this isn't them getting a huge service for free from people who are just excited to be on the grounds. From a business perspective, free labor is good but if they get this done for free and don't chip in something and can sleep at night, they are further gone than I am.

kms

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.

I recall my daughter's Pioneer volleyball team cleaning Cliff Keen arena and getting about $500 for the effort. They were thrilled to get the gig and it sure was easier than selling candy or having a car wash.

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 2:29 p.m.

From a business persepective, the liability exposure is horrible.

1bit

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 11:47 a.m.

FGRHS has actually made out very well over the years and it has helped fund their new school and athletic programs. Back in the day it wasn't completely "voluntary" as anyone participating in athletics had to come on Sunday to help out. I'm not sure if it is still that way. As the article states, however, there is something to learn from picking up other people's trash. Especially on cold, wet and/or icy days. If you are ever awake or bored on a post-game Sunday morning and want to get a real sense of community, head out to the stadium and see these folks for yourself.

Tesla

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 11:38 a.m.

My bad. I see that now. Still reeks of a freebie somehow.

1bit

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 11:34 a.m.

In the article it says they receive compensation.

A2comments

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 10:40 a.m.

How much does U of M pay them?

Craig Lounsbury

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 10:27 p.m.

Terry Starr21, We did read the whole thing. The wonder is how much the University of Michigan Athletic Department pays Father Gabriel Richard High School. We are fully aware the volunteers are working on behalf of the high school as volunteers. You misunderstood the question.

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 7:48 p.m.

The University recognizes the labor with some measurable contribution to the organization. This is payment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payment

Terry Star21

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.

Which part of the word 'volunteer' did you not understand ? They don't get paid, they get free donuts and juice donated by Washtenaw Dairy. "... which goes into the general operating budget and so effectively lowers the tuition for everyone." Maybe try 'reading' the whole article next time.....

Paul Taylor

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 2:31 p.m.

A very good question, and one that my journalism professor might have expected answered in our introductory class, or marked us down for not asking.

Craig Lounsbury

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 12:38 p.m.

I was kind of wondering the same thing.

a2cents

Sat, Oct 27, 2012 : 10:24 a.m.

Fans trash residential areas also... c'mon uom, help.

Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

© 2013 MLive Media Group All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of MLive Media Group