Pagemike@standardsmichigan.com, Author at Standards Michigan

August 14, 2003

“The world is changed by examples, not by opinions.”

– Marc Andreesen (Founder of Netscape, the first dominant web browser)

August 14, 2003 Power Outage at the University of Michigan

Spoon University was founded in 2013 by Northwestern University students Mackenzie Barth and Sarah Adler. While living in their first off-campus apartment, the duo realized they lacked basic cooking skills and decided to create an accessible food resource for college students. Starting as a campus magazine and website, it quickly expanded to over 100 U.S. schools, empowering 3,000+ student contributors to share recipes, reviews, and tips on everything from dorm hacks to trends.

A dessert popular in the United Kingdom, where rhubarb has been cultivated since the 1600s, and the leaf stalks eaten since the 1700s. Besides diced rhubarb, it almost always contains a large amount of sugar to balance the intense tartness of the plant. The pie is usually prepared with a bottom pie crust and a variety of styles of upper crust.

In the United States, often a lattice-style upper crust is used. This pie is a traditional dessert in the United States. It is part of New England cuisine. Rhubarb has long been a popular choice for pies in the Great Plains region and the Michigan Great Lakes Region, where fruits were not always readily available in the spring

University of Nebraska: Rhubarb Cream Pie

TU Dublin: Rhubarb Pie Using Sweet Shortbread Pastry

Strawberries

Kitchens 200

Food Safety

Intellectual Property

It is impossible to overestimate the sensitivity of this topic but poke at it, we will. At the moment, the less written here; the better. Much of this domain is outside our wheelhouse; though it has settled on a few first principles regarding patents, trademarks and copyrights relevant to the user-interest we describe in our ABOUT.

Many large research universities have a watchdog guarding its intellectual property and trying to generate income from it, and; of course, for branding. We will dwell on salient characteristics of the intellectual property domain with which we reckon daily — highlighting the market actors and the standards they have agreed upon.

Additionally, technical standards developers are generally protected by copyright law, as the standards they create are typically considered original works of authorship that are subject to copyright protection. In the United States, the Copyright Act of 1976 provides copyright protection for original works of authorship, which includes technical standards. This means that the developers of technical standards have the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and create derivative works based on their standards, and others must obtain permission or a license to use or reproduce the standards.

Some technical standards may be subject to certain exemptions or limitations under copyright law. In the United States, there is a doctrine called “fair use” that allows for limited use of copyrighted works for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research, without the need for permission or a license from the copyright owner. Almost everything we do at Standards Michigan falls under the fair use doctrine. This is why we have no search feature and most pages are protected. If we err in this; let us know.

Innovation management

Why The U.S. And China Fight Over IP

For Every Lawyer, There is an Equal and Opposite Lawyer

Free Speech and Innovation

More

Patent Act: This is the primary federal law governing patents in the United States. It sets forth the requirements for obtaining a patent, the rights of patent owners, and the remedies available for infringement.
The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 and the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 prohibit anticompetitive behavior in the marketplace, including the use of codes and standards to exclude competition.
Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations: This contains the rules and procedures related to patents, including rules governing the filing and examination of patent applications.
America Invents Act: This is a major overhaul of the U.S. patent system that was enacted in 2011. It includes provisions such as the transition to a “first-inventor-to-file” system and the creation of new post-grant review procedures for challenging the validity of patents.
Manual of Patent Examining Procedure: This is a guidebook for patent examiners that provides detailed information on the rules and procedures for examining patent applications.
Everett Rogers: Diffusion of innovations
Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17)

Protection of Intellectual Property in the Supply Chain

ASTM International Intellectual Property Policy

Healthcare Standards Institute IP Policy

International Code Council Copyright Protection

IEEE Patent Policy

NFPA Regulations and Policies

Underwriters Laboratory Patent Policy

Vad är en standard? Syftet med standarder är att skapa enhetliga och transparenta rutiner som vi kan enas kring. Det ligger ju i allas intresse att höja kvaliteten, undvika missförstånd och slippa uppfinna hjulet på nytt varje gång. https://t.co/zKhgPXPdpW pic.twitter.com/oKejdKSm47

— Svenska institutet för standarder, SIS (@svenskstandard) July 15, 2019

Intellectual Property 101

Innovation – Market Acceptance – Standardization – Human Right

Patents data at a glance

Patents data at a glance June 2026

We celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Director John A. Squires spent time at our exhibit and thanks all who visited. There is still time to come see us and learn about American innovation. pic.twitter.com/yNoVsAo5Ua

— USPTO (@uspto) July 6, 2026

Many universities support patent filing for students and faculty through their Technology Transfer Offices or Offices of Technology Commercialization. This often includes covering or reimbursing patent costs, especially if the university owns or co-owns the IP. Some also offer dedicated “gap,” “proof-of-concept,” or “innovation” funds.

University of Michigan — Innovation Partnerships
University of Minnesota — Early Innovation Fund: Competitive grants up to $10K for early-stage innovations (open to faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and staff).
University of Rochester — Technology Development Fund: Supports researchers translating inventions toward commercial opportunities, including patent-related activities.
University of Notre Dame — Berthiaume Institute Technology Development Fund: Awards for precision health and related innovations.
University of Utah — Ascender Grant program: Substantial funding to bridge research discoveries toward market readiness (including IP protection).
Boston University — Technology Development office supports the full process from idea to patent filing.

Note: Support is common at major research universities with active TTOs (e.g., University of California system, MIT, Stanford). Always check the specific TTO or IP policy for eligibility.

2026 National Patent Application Drafting Competition (Results)

Intellectual Property 101

School Bonds Michigan

Ballotpedia

Exterior Appearance of a One Room School House

History of One Room Schools | Central Michigan University

School Construction Bonds Confirmed for August 2026 Election Referenda

School District	Amount	Election Date
Harper Creek Community Schools (Calhoun County, MI)	$28,000,000	Aug 4, 2026
Homer Community School District (Calhoun County, MI)	$11,920,000	Aug 4, 2026

For reasons that may be obvious, construction companies make markets with their public relation enterprises.

Triangle Construction

About

Why the 10-Year Treasury Note Matters to School Bonds

The yield on the U.S. 10-year Treasury note is the principal benchmark for long-term borrowing throughout the American economy, including the municipal bond market that finances schools, colleges, and universities. When Treasury yields rise, investors generally expect higher returns from tax-exempt school bonds as well. To attract buyers, educational institutions must offer higher interest rates, increasing the cost of financing new classrooms, laboratories, residence halls, athletic facilities, and utility infrastructure.

Conversely, when 10-year Treasury yields decline, borrowing costs often ease, enabling school districts and universities to finance capital improvements at lower interest expense and reducing the long-term burden on taxpayers or tuition revenue. Although the final interest rate on any bond issue also reflects the issuer’s credit quality, market demand, insurance, and overall economic conditions, daily movements in the 10-year Treasury yield remain one of the most closely watched indicators of the direction and relative cost of educational facility financing.

As a rule of thumb, every 0.25 percentage point (25 basis point) increase in the borrowing rate adds about $25,000 per year in interest for every $10 million of outstanding principal.

Albert Kahn detail at the Alexander G. Ruthven Building at the University of Michigan

Timon of Athens

The Oxford Union Debating Society, founded in 1823, is one of the world’s most prestigious debating societies, affiliated with the University of Oxford. It has hosted numerous influential speakers and debates, including historical figures like Winston Churchill and Malcolm X. Over the years, it has played a vital role in shaping public discourse and fostering critical thinking among students. The society’s iconic debating chamber and rich tradition of lively debates have made it an enduring institution in the world of debate and public speaking.

“In an era of cancellation and defenestration we sometimes forget that we both cannot go on like this and that we have been here before. We know this because our greatest writers and artists have addressed this question in their own times.

When Roger [Scrouton] was going through his own battle with the shallows I often thought of Shakespeare’s rarely performed but great play Timon of Athens. Timon has the whole world before him. He is surrounded by friends and admirers. He is generous to all. Yet he falls on hard times and when he does absolutely everybody deserts him. He is left with nothing and nobody, and risks being filled with despair and rage. It does not help that he is shadowed by the cynical philosopher Apemantus, who has warned him that just such a desertion might occur.”

— Douglas Murray

Collier County Florida

Interactive Campus Map | The Institute for Sacred Architecture: Everglade Oratory

Standards Florida

Ave Maria University was founded by Tom Monaghan, the founder of Michigan-based Domino’s Pizza, whose Catholic faith—rooted in his orphanage upbringing under nurturing nuns—drove a vision to renew faithful Catholic higher education amid secular trends and doctrinal challenges in existing institutions.

After selling Domino’s in 1998, Monaghan founded Ave Maria Institute (later College) in Ypsilanti, Michigan, that year, committing hundreds of millions to create an authentically Catholic liberal arts university loyal to the Church’s magisterium.Development accelerated in 2003 with a move to an interim Florida campus, followed by the permanent site in Ave Maria Town (2007), built on donated land from the Barron Collier family and Monaghan’s initial $250 million+ investment.

The university emphasizes faith-integrated academics to form ethical leaders. Under Monaghan’s ongoing stewardship as founder and chancellor, he has guided its growth, emphasizing Catholic identity, leadership formation, and cultural renewal, while transitioning day-to-day operations to presidents while remaining actively involved in its mission.

This is your moment: bring it to the world! Registration is OPEN for Ave Maria University’s Summer Leadership Conference. Join high school juniors and seniors from across the country for a week of formation, community, and unforgettable joy. Rising high school juniors and… pic.twitter.com/IE9PKGmmlu

— Ave Maria University (@avemariauniv) January 8, 2026

Founder’s Choice

Fontaines

Water fountains enhance campus outdoor settings by creating serene, inviting spaces that promote relaxation and social interaction. Their gentle sounds of flowing water reduce stress, mask noise, and foster a calming atmosphere conducive to study or reflection.

Aesthetically, fountains serve as focal points, adding elegance and visual appeal to courtyards or green spaces. They attract students, faculty, and visitors, encouraging gatherings and community engagement. Environmentally, fountains can support local ecosystems by providing water for birds or plants.

Well-maintained, they symbolize a campus’s commitment to beauty and sustainability, enriching the outdoor experience and enhancing the overall campus ambiance.

“At the Water Trough” 1876 J. Alden Weir

Indiana State University

Ithaca College

Harvard University

Lunds Universitet

University of Louisville Kentucky

Florida Southern College

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Michigan State University

University of Albany

Florida State University

Eastern Kentucky University

University of Texas Austin

Mineral Area College Missouri

Henry Ford College

California Institute of Technology

Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

University of New Mexico

Regent University

Iowa State University

Berry College

Indiana University

University of Southern California

Furman University

University of Washington

Western Michigan University

Missouri State University

University of Michigan

Water 100

Dawn Chorus: Bird Song

“Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.”

— Psalm 108:2

Standards New York | ♡ Homophily New York ♡

Animal Welfare Act (AWA) Regulations for Birds (9 CFR Part 3, Subpart G)

@CornellPondCam End of day at Sapsucker Woods … pic.twitter.com/zbE5BMEZlp

— susan dimitrakopoulos (@nightsky333) November 10, 2020

University Policy 1.2: Research Integrity

Terrestrial Animal Health Code

Animal Safety

Cornell University’s status as a land-grant institution, coupled with its location in Ithaca, far from New York’s urban centers, fosters a campus atmosphere of grounded normalcy. As a land-grant university, Cornell emphasizes practical education, research, and outreach, rooted in its mission to serve the public good. This ethos cultivates a community focused on collaboration and accessibility rather than elitism.

Ithaca’s rural setting, surrounded by gorges and rolling hills, creates a tight-knit, insulated environment where students engage deeply with academics and each other without the distractions of a bustling city. The slower pace encourages a balanced lifestyle, with traditions like Slope Day and local eateries fostering camaraderie. The lack of urban pressures allows for a focus on intellectual curiosity and personal connections, while diverse student organizations and cooperative extension programs reinforce a sense of purpose and community, grounding Cornell’s atmosphere in authenticity and approachability.

Camerapoint

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