As the `what’s in, what’s out’ assessment slowly progresses, one thing seems certain: Wayne State University—the historic, public research institution of 28,000 multi-ethnic students that has called Detroit home for more than a century—shows no signs of abandoning ship.
“We are Detroit and Detroit is Wayne State,” said Ned Staebler, Wayne State’s vice president for economic development. “We’ve been here since 1868; we’ll be here [in] 2168,” he added, echoing the sentiments of the university’s leadership, including its board of trustees, its president and other administrators.
Confidence aside, Wayne State, located in the heart of they city, is closely following the issues relating to Detroit’s bankruptcy. The city’s plight has been the topic of countless informal water cooler conversations. The university’s Honors College course on American cities, which includes a special emphasis on Detroit, has woven the latest chapter of the city’ history into class discussions.
The city’s bankruptcy has also been the topic of least two university-wide forums, including one this week convened by former Wayne State President Dr. Irvin D. Reid. Dr. Reid led the institution for more than a decade until he retired in 2009.
Reed’s Forum on Contemporary Issues in Society (FOCIS) assembled Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr and Mayor-elect Mike Duggan with a panel of experts from across the country who have been working with other cities “that are in or emerging from significant financial stress, up to and including bankruptcy,” according to program information. “These voices from other places can teach us a lot about what citizens of Detroit may be facing for years to come,” the forum information flyer said.
“People who care about this place [Detroit] are very concerned,” said Wayne State Professor Dr. Jerry Herron, dean of the Honors College and a Wayne State faculty member for 31 years. “It’s our home.”
