University collaborates with rivals

Mortal Enemies. Fierce Rivals. Friends?

The University of Michigan and Michigan State University have joined forces to address various higher education issues in Michigan.

Vice President for University Relations Walter Harrison said he thinks the University administration has a "workable, friendly rivalry" with MSU administrators in East Lansing.

The Midwest Universities Consortiun for International Activities is one of the first projects the universities are tackling. For this project , University officials are collaborating with MSU and the rest of the schools in the Big Ten Conference to combine library resources using the Internet. Now, students will be able to access holdings in libraries from State College, Penn. to Minneapolis.

Another project involving resources from the two schools is the Auto College. Through non-profit union both universities offer courses that cater to auto industry employees looking to further their educations.

MSU President Peter McPherson chairs the board for this project, and former University President James Duderstadt serves as its chief executive officer.

Terry Dembow, MSU's vice president for university relations, said McPherson does not have immediate plans for the venture yet.

Dembow said McPherson plans to work together with officials in Ann Arbor on issues like shared faculty or keeping tuition costs down.

"Synergies that occur when great minds come together are limitless," Dembow said.

The University and MSU are also joining forces in Washington in an attempt to strengthen the federal government's commitment to student financial aid and reasonable tuition costs.

Harrison said there is a higher education bill up for re-authorization in Congress in the near future that would reassess student financial aid policies. Both schools are keeping a close eye on this subject, he said.

Harrison said the Wolverines and the Spartans don't carry rivalries off the athletic field.

"(Many have the) mistaken impression that because they are athletic rivals they are rivals in other things," Harrison said.

Overall, students in Ann Arbor seem to be pretty open to the idea of joining hands with the green and white.

LSA first-year student Chris Leland said the schools should "share the ideas between the two universities and try to compensate for what is lacking. It's worthless to try to show each other up. In the end it's better for all students."

Other students thought the University could learn things outside of the classroom from the Spartans.

"We take for granted how many resources we have - clubs, organizations and sports," said LSA senior Todd Clobes. "We need to tap what we have here. Michigan State makes better use of its resources."

LSA junior Trent Thompson said he thought that the University could give a little back to MSU by helping them out "academically."

Despite the all out war on the gridiron at East Lansing scheduled for Oct. 25, it seems that Michigan and Michigan State will may be able to be friends the other 364 days a year.

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