The possible closing of MSU’s visual impairment education programs was a subject of discussion at Friday’s Board of Trustees meeting.
MSU officials are considering closing the program due to low enrollment. The issue was not on this month’s action agenda.
Fred Wurtzel, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan and a graduate of the Michigan School for the Blind, told the board many of his teachers were educated by the university’s program.
“I learned how to pour acid into a test tube. I learned how to bend glass tubing over a Bunsen burner,” said Wurtzel, who is blind.
“You are throwing away a major opportunity here. I ask you, I implore you, I beg you, whatever the words are that would get you to reconsider this issue.”
MSU Trustee Dee Cook said the issue is being weighed heavily by the administration. “This was not a precipitous decision,” she said. “This is one of those really tough things that tugs at your heartstrings.”
Also at Friday’s meeting:
• Dr. William Strampel was appointed College of Osteopathic Medicine dean. Strampel has been interim dean since the December death of Dr. Allen Jacobs.
• The board accepted patent donations from General Motors Corp. and Delphi Technologies Inc. that will allow the university to license transparent film antennas for automobiles.
They are valued at more than $11 million. MSU will own the rights until 2015.
