A Big House Divided

Grand remodeling plans for Michigan Stadium might have to be altered if a group of 33 current and past Michigan faculty members, including former president James Duderstadt, have a say. The 80-year-old facility, arguably the crown jewel of college stadiums, needs a makeover, and officials have proposed adding luxury boxes to pull in additional revenue. Not so fast. "Private luxury boxes would symbolize a dramatic, disturbing and damaging departure from the university's egalitarian values and tradition,'' according to a letter the group sent to the Board of Regents. Such seating would also, "physically divide fans who have always sat and cheered together, elevating a select few above the rest solely by virtue of their wealth.'' Wolverine fan John Pollack has joined the cause by starting the site Save the Big House. Pollack estimates between 1,200 and 1,300 people have signed his on-line petition that calls for enclosed seating to be dropped from the plans.