ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY FIVE YEARS OF EDITORIAL FREEDOM
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Ann Arbor, Michigan
michigandaily.com
TRI CAMPUS EDITION
The Daily’s first collaborative edition with the U-M Dearborn and U-M Flint student papers. Design by Maisie Derlega
Andres Ochoa/TIMES, Ava Farah/DAILY, Holly Burkhart/DAILY
FLINT
ADMINISTRATION
Genesee County Board of No updates on Dearborn Commissioners approves chancellor search as Flock camera funding Syverud steps away The search committee, including faculty amid public backlash and administrators from all three campuses, was named in November
The decision comes amid public outcry about privacy concerns, overpolicing and risks of mass surveillance ANDRES OCHOA Times Staff Writer
The Genesee County Board of Commissioners, as part of the Governmental Operations Committee of Genesee County, has voted to continue funding for the use of Flock cameras. This decision comes amid public outcry in the form of demonstrations and public comments at previous meetings, citing privacy concerns, overpolicing and risks of mass surveillance, which have delayed the voting since January. The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department says the cameras are useful in eliminating violent crime. The Board of Commissioners of Genesee County met March 11 as part of their monthly committee
meetings on matters pertaining to government operations in Genesee County. The committee voted 6–1, with two members absent, on two resolutions. The first approved a $30,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to pay for the contractual renewal of the current Flock cameras that are operational in Genesee County, and the second included a $60,000 renewal of fully grantfunded cameras. Genesee County Commissioner Beverly Brown, D-District 4, was the only commissioner to vote against both resolutions. Brown said, “I distrust systems; I trust individuals. I am concerned about creating and fostering systems that violate civil rights.”
See FLOCK CAMERAS, Page 4
HARRISON STIDOLPH Journal Co-Editor in Chief
The Board of Regents announced early last Wednesday that President-elect Kent Syverud would no longer be assuming his duties, citing in a letter from Syverud to the campus community that he would soon start undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with brain cancer. In the letter – originally an email to Michigan students and staff – Syverud wrote that he wasn’t feeling well the previous week and after seeking medical care at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, he traveled to the University of Michigan for further assessments from specialists. “I want to be straightforward with you:” Syverud wrote. “I
have been diagnosed with a form of brain cancer.” In his announcement, the President-elect wrote that he will be stepping down in order to receive treatment, expressing his gratitude and confidence in the teams at Michigan Medicine and Crouse Hospital. He stated that despite his circumstances he would still return to the University, serving as a member of the Law faculty and an advisor to the Board of Regents. “While my diagnosis and treatment will prevent me from serving as the 16th President of the University of Michigan, I am deeply moved by the generosity of the Regents, who have invited me to continue contributing as a professor in the Law School and as a special advisor to the Board,” Syverud wrote. See CHANCELLOR, Page 6
ADMINISTRATION
Amir Makled defeats Jordan Acker at state Democratic nomination convention
Makled will run alongside incumbent Paul Brown against two Republicans for two seats on the U-M Board of Regents GLENN HEDIN, ALEXA CHEANEY & BRADY MIDDLEBROOK Daily News Editor & Daily Staff Reporters
The floor of the Michigan Democratic Party’s state endorsement convention was filled with cheers late Sunday night, as progressive challenger Amir Makled beat incumbent Jordan Acker in the race to be one of the party’s two nominees for the University of Michigan’s Board of Regents. Incumbent regent Paul Brown was also renominated by the party and will be running with Makled against Republican nominees Lena Epstein and Michael Schostak in November. The race between Acker and Makled has mirrored national
divides between moderate and progressive Democrats. Acker is seen by many progressive activists as representative of the Board’s current policies, such as ending the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs; cutting gender-affirming health care for patients under the age of 19; and prosecuting pro-Palestine student protesters. The victory of Makled — who provided legal representation for protesters and has been critical of the current Board — was perceived by many convention attendees as a major progressive upset. In his acceptance speech, Makled thanked those who voted for him at the convention and promised to embark on a program of reforms at the University. See MAKLED, Page 8
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