The University Board of Regents confronted more issues at its monthly meeting than outlined in its agenda, as protesters outside the Fleming Administration Building demonstrated against financial cuts in the University Hospitals budget.
"They are trying to herd us like sheep and treat us like dogs," said Frank Williams, chief steward for the University Skilled Trades Union. "The people who are going to suffer from this reduction in care is us."
Following the rally, a number of the union members filed into the Michigan Union's Kuenzel Room, where they addressed the regents during a public comments session.
Citizens for Quality Health Care, a consortium of groups concerned about national changes in health care policies, sponsored the rally, drawing the support of more than 60 participants. Coordinators of the event said it was planned in anticipation of the second phase of a three-part budget cutback plan for the University Medical Center.
Speakers included members of supporting unions, hospital employees and community members. Many of the protesters were longtime members of the University community, and some were current students.
LSA first-year student Dave Ginsberg said he was excited about the rally and hoped it would increase activism on campus.
"I think it's great that we can have a labor movement," Ginsberg said. "I think we should do more of this."
The afternoon rally brought back to Ann Arbor former University Medical Center employee Trudy Swanson, currently an Ypsilanti City Councilmember. When it was her turn to speak, Swanson said the workers were "much-needed community servants."
"We have labored, we have worked ... for the community," Swanson said. "Now it is the time for us to get out into the community and tell them, 'We need your help.'"
While other speakers voiced their grievances with the University, Catherine Wilkerson, a doctor representing Physician for a National Health Plan, pointed fingers at some of the University's top officials.
"We have to make 'profit' a dirty word in health care," Wilkerson said. "I charge President Bollinger, the regents ... and others in power to be leaders of the pack."
But not all the action took place outside of the regents' meeting.
The speaker's list for this month's public comments session was unusally lengthy.
Although many of the comments were linked to cuts at the University Medical Center, some speakers raised concerns about the use of the Nichols Arboretum.
Rackham student Ronald Holzhacker issued complaints with the regents about the use of the arboretum by University students in the Reserve Officer's Training Corps.
Holzhacker, who is also a member of the Citizens for the Preservation of Nichols Arboretum, said ROTC's presence in the arb represents a threat to the environment.
"No one has said that ROTC intends to threaten other visitors or destroy plant specimens or frighten off wildlife," Holzhacker said. "The point is that the very nature of ROTC activities threaten other users, damage plant specimens and contributes to the severe erosion problems of the Arb."