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So you're about to embark on a new adventure at the U-M Business School. Needless to say, the rumors and myths are probably floating around about what to expect over the next two years. Well, like always, these rumors are either myth or fact or, eh-hem, conspiracies by the feudal lords of America depending on your point of view.
Oh, who cares! The real issue is that you have overcome these obstacles to rational thought and have made a rational decision to attend the best business school in the nation, which is unsurprisingly located in the perfect college town. So, before you arrive, let me dispel some of the myths that might lead you astray in what to expect of your last two years of being a college student.
Myth #1
You spend your two years of business school yearning to get back into the work force and become a productive member of society.
Although it would be nice to have a positive cash flow, I have already become remorseful about the coming end of my college days and the excitement and thrills that have accompanied them throughout. The months so far have been great, and I will miss the camaraderie that accompanies B-school. Whereas some schools (Chicago and Harvard) might foster a competitive spirit and a disdain for having fun, Michigan embraces these aspects.
Myth #2
You cannot have a child while attending B-school.
Not only can you come here with a baby and flourish among the large Baby MBA population (50 MBA kids this year and counting) but you also can have babies while attending school. The water seems to be fortified with nutrients that increased the fertility of students and helped to contribute to the birth of 10 more Baby MBAs this year.
Myth #3
Michigan football is exciting.
The tradition is great, the fan support is motivating, and the fight song is at least the second best in the nation. But excitement ... well that's hard to find. Although there might be over 100,000 at each game, more noise is generated at a billiards match. And to enjoy Michigan football, lets just say you better get use to enjoying the nuances associated with run blocking. Regardless, don't throw out that ticket application. The games are enjoyable, and being a Michigan football fan has the misery and heartbreak college sports fans live for. But the real excitement can be found in Yost Arena, where hockey is played.
Myth#4
Chicago is the only Midwestern town with good food.
Yes, I know it sounds impossible but Ann Arbor does have good restaurants. Sure it's wanting for a decent taco, but it has a fine assortment of restaurants. In fact, a clever MBA student can sample these restaurants for free during the first semester by attending corporate presentations and joining the best organization on campus, The Monroe Street Journal.
Myth #5
Michigan MBA students don't learn how to dodge speeding bullets.
Sad but true. While Michigan has proved to excel in all disciplines, this still remains the core competency of that other school in Philadelphia. Ann Arbor is one of the safest cities in the nation that inevitably deprives its students of an environment to showcase their agility.
Myth #6
Ann Arbor is like the frozen tundra of Antarctica.
This is the biggest myth of them all. I came from Southern California, where we think it's cold when the temperature drops to 50 degrees. So, take my word for it when I say it is not that cold and it does not snow that much. In fact, the seasons are gorgeous in Ann Arbor, especially in the fall when you are immersed in the rigors of first year excessive preparations for class discussions.
Myth #7
It's difficult to find out about Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan Business School.
I know some things are better left for you to enjoy on your own and this is probably not a myth ... but here are some Internet sites that have useful information regarding Ann Arbor and the business school, for those of you who are too curious to wait until you arrive in August:
* The Monroe Street Journal Online, view old issues at: http://www.umich.edu/~msjrnl
* Scenes of Ann Arbor at: http://www.triada.com/triada/annarbor.html.
* Postcards from Ann Arbor at: http://http2.sils.umich.edu/AnnArbor/ index.html
--Franz Klein, Opinions Editor
franzk@umich.edu
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Brunt Of The Rant: MSJ Opinions Editor Franz Klein. |
by Harley Sitner, MBA1
I must begin this week's Rant with a kind rebuttal to my good,
yet sorely naive friend, Franz. Earlier this month, Franz chided me for
believing in such crazed notions as conspiracy theories. Franz, I think
you misunderstand what I mean by a conspiracy. Let's briefly review a few
of your top ten conspiracies from last week, and see if there might be
the remote possibility of some sort of cover up or attempt to avoid the
truth (i.e., a "conspiracy").
I really was offended by number nine, about the rumors that the CIA was involved in the importing of cocaine during the 80s. Just consider for a moment the well known existence of covert drug operations during the Vietnam War. Is it really that much of a stretch to believe that such an undertaking could take place again? Especially given the enthusiasm with which the Reagan White House put foreign policy above obeying the law (remember Iran-Contra? That was just a "conspiracy" until felony charges were obtained).
And what was the number two? "China bought favors through campaign contributions. (The U.S. has historically sponsored foreign elections so ...)."
So what? Once again, the pre-election allegations regarding illegal fundraising and influence peddling started out as "conspiracy theories," now they're commonly accepted. And what about the little parenthetical aside? I guarantee you that if I had mentioned to you that the U.S. openly sponsored and manipulated the outcome of foreign elections, you would have shouted, "Kook, what are you doing? Reading the Internet news groups again?"
Wake up, Franz! The world is a wily place, full of people in power who make mistakes and then try to cover them up. These cover ups are pushed to the margins by their creators using the moniker of "conspiracy."
Remember the so-called Gulf War syndrome back in 1992? Both the Left and the Right thought the veterans complaining of mysterious ailments were crazy hypochondriacs. Anyone who even postulated that the government might be covering something up was quickly marginalized as a conspiracy kook.
Did you read the newspaper last week? "Recent" investigations are concluding that the CIA and military intelligence both failed to identify known chemical weapons bunkers prior to sending in U.S. soldiers. So they erred, you say. How quickly yesterday's "conspiracies" become today's facts! And this involved U.S. soldiers! Imagine how hard the truth must be to get if the cover involves ordinary citizens without champions in Congress.
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Anyway, I hope everyone has a great summer! And as a tip to incoming students: don't mind the Office of Career Development; you can get an internship while wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and five days' worth of facial-hair growth. I did.
by Kelly Hutchison, MBA1
The 1996-1997 academic year is closing and the UMBS community
is poised to continue its progression and development as the top business
school. During this academic year we saw many remarkable milestones and
upward trends for this community. Highlights include: receiving two first
place and one second place ranking among business programs, plans were
made for a new Executive Education Facility, alumni are more heavily recruited
and are receiving higher starting salaries than ever before, applications
are at an all time high, and the Michigan reputation for academic research
and teaching excellence continues to attract the brightest business minds.
We are proud of our achievements and give the departing members of this community a unanimous and heartfelt thank you for your contributions. This is a professional community and all members, including alumni, have essential roles. We could not have done it without you. We wish you well in your endeavors. You will be missed.
As we bid farewell to our friends and colleagues we should prepare ourselves for what may very well be the best and brightest incoming class UMBS has seen. We are the most diverse business school and the qualifications of UMBS students goes well beyond job experience and grade point average. It is not easy, at all times, to become a member of the UMBS community. The different languages, cultures, religions, and values within this community refreshes present members of the community, but presents a host of challenges to incoming students, eager to grow, learn and find their new home. Members of this community, and the Executive Board of the Student Government Association (SGA), will help incoming students overcome these challenges and enjoy the many rich opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. The opportunity is before us to accelerate the establishment of a cohesive, high-performance professional and educational environment.
As a guide to incoming students, the Executive Board will support the community during this transition in the following ways: serve as a conduit between the administration and students, provide leadership and guidance for student concerns and wishes, promote solidarity within the student body, coordinate student club activities, and assist faculty and students in their educational endeavors when needed.
The incoming Executive Board extends its gratitude to the outgoing Executive Board for its excellent leadership and support for the student body throughout the year. On behalf of the Student Government Association and the UMBS community, have a fantastic summer and we look forward to next year.
by Kelly Hutchison,MBA1
The B-school's Student Government Association is in the midst
of working through a complicated series of events over its leadership for
the next academic year, as the presidency of Kishore Kagolanu has been
called into question. SGA's Executive Board has requested Kagolanu to resign
after learning of the recently elected President's plans to attend a foreign
exchange program from approximately next Winter Break to Spring Break.
This is being written to inform the UMBS community about what has been
happening.
While the 1997 Executive Board was handing over administration to the 1998 Board earlier this month, both incoming and outgoing Board members discussed Kagolanu's pending status with respect to an exchange program at the London Business School. The Board members reached a consensus that the responsibilities of SGA President were too important and time-consuming to make the exchange-program and SGA-President opportunities compatible. Accordingly, the Boards asked Kagolanu to choose one opportunity or the other.
The events that followed made the President's status in the exchange program unclear. After several attempts by both parties to resolve the issue, the remaining members of the Executive Board felt that the President had breached their trust.
In a decision reflective of that belief, the Executive Board requested that the President resign under provisions within the SGA constitution. The President rejected the request and approached the Central Student Judiciary of the Michigan Student Assembly for a temporary restraining order on the Executive Board's request. (The MSA is the University central student government with authority over MSA participant schools.)
In naming the UMBS Student Government Association as defendants and the Kagolanu the plaintiff, the MSA granted a temporary restraining order against SGA action to strip Kagolanu of his presidency.
The order was in effect from April 21 to April 25, at which time the Central Student Judiciary held a hearing on the matter. The CSJ remanded the case back to the UMBS SGA under the pretext that the current SGA constitution does not allow parties adequate notification and protection under commonly accepted principles of due process of the law in matters involving requests for resignation. It was suggested that a process be ratified to allow for a structured notification of consideration and reply.
To that effect, the CSJ referred parties at the hearing to their own rules of conduct, which are known as "Robert's Rules provisions." However, the CSJ did not challenge the merits of the Executive Board's actions, and the remaining members of the Executive Board maintain that they acted correctly under the UMBS SGA constitutional provisions. Kagolanu has notified UMBS that he will attend the exchange program next year.
by Judah J. Levine, MBA1
While leafing through the glossy pages of B-school brochures,
it is often difficult for the uninitiated to distinguish between one program
and the next. The smiling faces of successful alumni who typically adorn
such publications offer little substantive insight into the particulars
that make any one program truly unique. Left to their own devices, prospective
students may find themselves blinded by inflated statistics and rosy quotations,
not to mention the pearly teeth of those glossy brochure models.
One must peer into subtleties, then, to get at the core value of any given MBA program. And while Michigan offers as strong an academic environment as any, the program is particularly blessed in one area: the social consciousness shared and exhibited by many of its students.
The B-school houses three student clubs whose direct missions relate to social service. A handful of other student organizations periodically sponsor volunteer events. Additionally, the university maintains strong links to several social welfare organizations in the greater Detroit area, some of which new students will have an opportunity to visit during orientation activities at the end of the summer.
Global Citizenship, a student-organized club at the B-school, espouses the philosophy that with exceptional privilege goes exceptional responsibility. It is in this spirit that Global Citizenship seeks to facilitate and expand on the number and type of volunteer opportunities available to UMBS students. Additionally, in an effort to make use of the unique skills and talents of UMBS students, the club aims to sponsor a wide variety of business-related endeavors in the local area.
Club members have successfully organized several events over the past year, including the First Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive Competition, a clothing drive, and the MS Walk (for multiple sclerosis). The club also has sponsored volunteer activities at local schools, soup kitchens, hospitals, and other venues throughout the year.
Next year, Global Citizenship will expand the scope and frequency of its events. Early next semester, you will learn about an exciting array of fall events coming your way. Among these will be an expanded Thanksgiving food drive that will encompass several other business schools from around the country; a faculty-student volunteer challenge; non-profit consulting in Ann Arbor and Detroit; and enhanced mentoring programs at local schools. The club intends to continue its support of the UMBS Supports Habitat For Humanity project, whereby Michigan students aim to volunteer the funds and labor hours necessary to build a house for a local needy family.
A volunteer fair will be held in the student lounge during the third week of next semester; new and returning students will have the opportunity to meet several local agencies and sign up to volunteer for causes that match their interests.
While community service resides at the core of the club's charter, Global Citizenship offers itself as a parlor of enjoyable social interaction. To this end, the club will sponsor a party during the first month of the term to allow new students to meet returning members. Global Citizenship also intends to organize a lavish charity gala which is certain to be a blast.
In short, Global Citizenship offers an exciting and meaningful way to get involved in both the B-school and the community external to it. The club challenges students to contribute to the welfare of the region's less fortunate citizens by way of making a long-term commitment to community service. Global Citizenship does not profess explicit solutions to the various woes that plague our communities. Rather, the club offers itself as a catalyst for action and thought, both on an individual and a communal level. Moreover, Global Citizenship provides a fun and social atmosphere in which students enjoy the company of individuals of diverse backgrounds and interests.
A Dane, a Finn, a Norwegian and a Swede, all chairmen of multinational Scandinavian companies, were having a morning stroll on the beach at Kovalam, near Trivandrum, Kerala, India. They were enjoying a free morning from the Business Strategy seminar being held in the five-star luxury hotel. As they walked along they came across a fisherman lazing on the warm sand between two large fishes. He smiled broadly and greeted them in perfect English. Surprised to meet a seemingly poor fisherman speaking good English, they stopped to chat with him. They asked him what he was doing on the beach. He said he was waiting for customers to come to the beach in a couple of hours to buy his fishes, for which he would get $5 profit.
The Swede, a little surprised at this intelligent man wasting his time lying on the beach, asked him why he did not go out and catch more fish before the customers arrived. The fisherman queried him as to what he would do with more fish. The Finn said that he would get more money if he sold more fish. The fisherman appeared confused and asked what he would do with more money. The Dane explained that he could buy a small boat, go out to sea and catch more fish. The confusion of the fisherman appeared to grow. He asked what he would do with even more fish. The Norwegian quipped that he would get even more money and possibly be able to buy good Norwegian trawler to catch more fish. The fisherman was astounded--he asked them what he would do with even more fish. The Swede was now impatient. He told the fisherman that he could fish in international waters and catch more fish and make more money. In fact, he could become a rich man.
The fisherman was quite taken aback. He asked them what he would do with all the money he got. The Finn was quick to tell him that he could form a multinational company, get others to do his work while he relaxed on the beach, enjoying the sun and the sand. The fisherman looked at them incredulously. He asked them a simple question, "What am I doing here just now?"
by Martha Lunbeck, MBA1
Dear Class of 1999,
The UMBS community eagerly awaits your arrival in Ann Arbor. A smorgasbord of opportunities awaits. Club meetings, social activities, intellectual discovery and internship recruiting will soon fill your fall calendar. In the midst of this hectic season, I hope you will make time to check out an organization called Students for Responsible Business (SRB).
SRB, founded in 1993, is the largest network of business students and alumni dedicated to integrating issues of social responsibility into the business school experience and their careers. Its mission is to expand the vision of tomorrow's business leaders by bringing newer models of business management to B-school students, alumni, and campuses nationwide. With over 1000 members, SRB-National provides a support structure for 100 campus chapters.
The national organization offers many exciting opportunities for members, including an annual conference (at UCLA next November); an internship program with both for-profit and nonprofit positions; and the New Venture Competition which supports MBAs' new business ideas. To learn more about SRB-National, check out its web page at www.srbnet.org.
Right here in Ann Arbor, the U-M SRB chapter has grown tenfold since our founding in 1995. Our mission is to provide the UMBS community opportunities and resources for the integration of social responsibility into business education and practice.
We are a group with diverse career interestsþfrom consulting to nonprofit work to marketing to environmental management. And we are interested in a broad vision of social responsibility, which includes work and family life, community welfare, and environmental stewardship. This year we aim to engage everyone in the exploration of how to make corporate responsibility pay and how to delight all stakeholders, employees, and the community.
Plan to participate in this year's activities, including:
National Conference Trip: Travel to Los Angeles for a weekend of thought-provoking workshops and networking opportunities with 500 MBAs from around the world. Learn about companies with broad views of corporate responsibility and new models of business for the future.
Faculty Panel: Co-sponsored with Global Citizenship, a forum for B-school professors to tackle the benefits and costs of social responsibility. Promises to be lively.
Forums on Work/Family Balance and Managing Diversity: Information we can use both in managing our personal lives and in leading organizations.
Informal gatherings: Meet with local business people, faculty and SRB alumni to discuss the job search, business practices, academic research, and other topics of interest.
Social events: SRB happy hours and potlucks ensure that we have fun--and that we don't take ourselves too seriously.
Sound intriguing? There are lots of opportunities for involvement in SRB. Check us out online: www.umich.edu/~srbumich. We look forward to seeing you on campus.
Remember: you are here for only two years, so keep some perspective (work/life balance). A lot of learning is done outside the classroom, homework assignments, and cases.
--Elisabeth Stiefel, MBA2
Always remember, everything in moderation--including moderation.
--Jon Lawniczak, MBA2
Brush up on pithy sayings and phrases like "value-added," "NPV," "core competency," "Jack Welch" and, also, "Jack Welch."
--Eric Horowitz, MBA1
My advice would be, "Waive as much as you can."
--Steve Hain, MBA1
Take it easy, relax and have a good time! Life is too short to be worried. Yes, you are going to study long hours. Yes, you are going to miss lots of weekends--but you can also meet new people, make friends, and learn a lot from your peers.
--Andres Piacentino, MBA 1
Select classes taught by the renowned thinkers of the B-school versus simply by the content shown in the course description. When it comes right down to it, the personal knowledge, anecdotes, and flavor of the best faculty far outweigh anything that can be learned via a textbook.
--Erin Roberts, MBA2
Buy NoDoz or Vivarin in bulk quantities now to get the discount.
--Jeff Liebl, MBA1
First, take the opportunity to get to know the diverse group of students in your class. It's a great chance to learn about other cultures and countries. Second, don't get so wrapped up in school that you don't take time to do other things that are important to you. The time I took to exercise every day and to read books and magazines unrelated to business helped me keep my sanity in this busy environment.
--Trina Callie, MBA2
Don't take yourself too seriously ... and try the bread bowl of soup at Dominick's.
--Mark Giles, MBA1
Contrary to popular, paranoia belief, you don't need to buy a computer with all the bells and whistles known to man. Buy something good enough because things are going to change soon. Save the money for beer. Yes, we drink beer in Ann Arbor. You betcha.
--Ty Wang, MBA1
By a computer before you get here!
--Bill Cosby, MBA1
Spend time outside the books and cases. You can learn a lot from your classmates while you're having fun! Also, join The MSJ. It's a blast!
--John Lipinski, MBA2
Think skills! Sounds strange, but an MBA is a lot more about honing skills than picking up business knowledge. My advice is to start thinking about what type of skills are most important to you and/or need the most work, so you can have a framework for prioritizing your time here. There will be too many things going on at once for you to do them all. You will have to make choices. Start thinking about those choices now.
--Scott Goldberg, MBA2