Diligent watchdogs

Central Michigan University President George Ross prepares to testify before the subcommittee on higher education on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 in the Michigan capitol building.


LANSING, Mich. -- Central Michigan University President George Ross testified in a scheduled hearing before the Michigan subcommittee on higher education here Wednesday along with representatives from other universities, as part of an annual plea by the institutions for increases in funding.


Five journalists from Central Michigan Life provided live coverage of Ross' testimony via Twitter, and following Ross' plea, online updates on its website.


Ross' testimony comes at a time when funding for current and past projects by CMU has lately come under close scrutiny. 


In a series of hearings, the subcommittee listens to testimony from all public universities. On Wednesday, the subcommittee heard from Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan State University and CMU.

Central Michigan Life senior reporter David Oltean, left, editor-in-chief Eric Dresden, center, and university editor Aaron McMann take notes and post Tweets during the testimony of CMU President George Ross in the state capitol building Wednesday.

The subcommittee on higher education listens to CMU President George Ross' testimony Wednesday in the state capitol building.

The dome of the capitol building.

Central Michigan Life senior reporter David Oltean stands outside the capitol building.

Central Michigan Life university editor Aaron McMann takes a call outside the capitol building.

Left to right: Central Michigan Life editor-in-chief Eric Dresden, university editor Aaron McMann, video editor Adam Kaminski, senior reporter David Oltean outside the state capitol building.