Intern Blog

It’s not every day that students sleep in boxes out in the January cold.

But that’s what many did in preparation for Friday’s visit by President Barack Obama to the University of Michigan campus at Ann Arbor. The students had gathered outside Wednesday night in hopes of scoring some of the 3,000 tickets made available for the president’s speech.

It’s the president’s second visit to the university in the last two years, following his 2010 Spring Commencement speech. But a repeat visit doesn't mean students aren't eager to see and hear him again.

They began lining up at 10:00 pm Wednesday at the Union, but had to relocate outside to the bitter cold at 2 a.m., when the building closed. More students and locals joined in, even prompting a dance party around the iconic "Cube." 

Friends made hot cocoa and doughnut runs, and many were wrapped in blankets throughout the night and early morning. Freshman Aashka Soni got in line around 5 a.m.

"I was in high school when he spoke the first time, but now I want to see him because I'm in college and I think I'll have a different perspective on what he says," she said. Soni not only missed most of her night of sleep, but also two classes that morning.

Senior Ashley Willis was one of the lucky ones. She had friends waiting in line at 3 a.m. and brought hot drinks and breakfast at 8 a.m., an hour before tickets were distributed. Willis saw Obama speak on his previous visit, but was still looking forward to Friday.

"I was excited when I saw him speak in 2010, and I think he's lived up to that speech, but I'm still hoping to see more change." Willis also hopes to hear Obama talk about matters that are important to her as a student.

"I want to know what he's going to do for tuition fees," she said, "I think he's back here because Michigan is a swing state and U-M votes are important. We got him elected last time."

Several other students said they wanted to hear the president talk about the tuition issue. In 2011, tuition for the University of Michigan increased 6.7 percent for in-state students, and 4.9 percent for out-of-state students – well above the national inflation average.

Rising prices aren’t the only tuition issue on campus. The Central Student Government of the university on Tuesday passed a resolution to give undocumented Michigan students tuition equality. This will allow them to be eligible for in-state tuition, rather than the significantly more expensive out-of-state rates they've had to pay in the past. The resolution must still be approved by the state legislature.

A number of Ann Arbor locals and out-of-state residents joined the shivering students in line. Stephon Randeau, 26, arrived at 3 a.m., and at 10:47am was doing a victory dance with his friends, tickets in hand.

"I'm not really focused on him talking about higher education. I want to hear about the future and what he'll do if he makes it back in office," said Randeau, "But I do want to know what's he going to do about schools being closed. Something has to happen."

Others like Charlene Marshalls, 51, didn’t have to wait as long. She and her daughter got in line at 6 a.m., and still got tickets. She’s looking forward to hearing the president deliver more than just words.

"I'd like to hear something that he'll truly make happen, not just a promise," said Marshalls, "I want to hear that he'll put more money in education and put teachers back in schools." Either way, Marshalls said, "It's a chance to see the president of the United States, whether you like him or not."

Other students had their own motivation for braving the elements.

"I'm here to say I saw Obama,” said sophomore Alan Jacobson. “I'm not big for the politics. I'm here to be here. That, and my mom would kill me if I wasn't."