At a Friday board meeting where several members of the public spoke heatedly about substantial changes within the university, most comments were geared toward the MSU College of Human Medicine's possible move to Grand Rapids.
College of Human Medicine Dean Glenn Davis, as well as faculty and students, presented statements to the MSU Board of Trustees. Many of the trustees welcomed the resolutions, which urged more input from members of the College of Human Medicine.
"I'm really pleased with everyone's interest in this," Trustee Don Nugent said.
Nigel Paneth, associate dean for research and graduate studies and professor of epidemiology and pediatrics in the College of Human Medicine, represented 91 faculty members and said the entire medical school must be involved in a vote before the decision is made at the next board meeting on May 7.
"You cannot create the new CHM by yourselves," Paneth said. "We are truly in this effort together."
Trustee Joel Ferguson agreed and said there needs to be "a truly public, aggressive hearing" before the trustees reach a decision.
"We'll get a better understanding across the state," Ferguson said. "The more light that we give to this subject, the less heat we'll get."
MSU faculty will meet to discuss the medical school's move and other issues at an Academic Senate meeting Thursday.
Davis' resolution, which was presented by Rae Schnuth, associate professor of human medicine, said an oversight assessment committee to evaluate the proposal should be created.
Among those who spoke at the meeting was first-year medical student Theron Dobson, whose impassioned appeal to the board earned a standing ovation from the about 70 visitors who had come to watch.
"I care," he said at the meeting. "I absolutely care about what happens to the College of Human Medicine."
Dobson added that even though he only has been at the school one year, he feels attached to the school and doesn't want to see it leave the campus.
"The members of CHM and the school itself are not distinct entities," Dobson said after the meeting. "They are both part of each other."
Dobson said he hopes the administration plans to include more response from the College of Human Medicine.
"The lack of transparency in this process" is a concern, he said. "If you want people to buy into this great vision that you are offering us, I suggest you give them some input on the vision."
Dean McFarlane-Parrott, a first-year student who also attended the meeting, said the administration failed to recognize the vast amount of untapped resources of expertise throughout this process.
"There are literally hundreds of years of human experience here," he said.
And, speakers in the meeting insisted, it's that experience the administration should consider.
"Each person should be consulted at their level of experience," Dobson said. "If you want to know how it will affect staff, you should probably talk to the staff.
"That is all people are asking - to be consulted."
