The authors are presidents of Michigan’s research institutions: Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Michigan State University; Richard J. Koubek, Michigan Technological University; Domenico Grasso, University of Michigan; and Richard A. Bierschbach, Wayne State University.
Guest Commentary
At Bridge, we believe in listening to voices from all over our state. Got something to say? Contact us and join the conversation (details below)
How to submit a Guest Commentary
What to know:
Bridge welcomes a diversity of voices and perspectives from readers on issues important to Michigan. Guest commentaries reflect the views of the author(s), and are independent of the nonpartisan, fact-driven reporting of Bridge’s newsroom staff.
Commentaries must be the author’s original work and preferably will not have appeared first in other publications. Bridge reserves the right to decline submissions at our discretion.
We reserve the right to edit commentary for grammar, clarity, brevity or to address legal or factual concerns. We may offer editing suggestions, but in the service of making your work more accessible, not to alter your views.
We do not pay for guest commentary.
Here are some guidelines:
- Columns are usually 500-700 words
- They generally focus on a Michigan topic or policy and should avoid ad hominem attacks
- The more direct, distinct and/or intimate your perspective, the more effective your column will be
- The best columns do more than identify problems; they also offer solutions and facts to back them up
- Please include a one- or two-sentence bio, including the writer’s organization or relevant background.
- Authors must show their work, by backing up facts with links to reports or studies
- Bridge does not publish self-promotional columns or candidate endorsements
- Send a good quality, large headshot of the writer(s) as an attachment
- We also ask that, in return for publishing a guest commentary, the author(s) and their organizations generously promote the link to the published column through your Facebook, Twitter and other social or professional networks.
That’s about it. Keep the writing clear, conversational and free of jargon, and sell our smart and receptive readership on the argument you are trying to make.
Who to contact:
Email your submission or idea to guestcommentary@bridgemi.com. Please briefly describe who you are and what you would like to say and put the words “guest commentary” in the email subject line.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan’s education crisis is the civil rights issue of our lifetime
Michigan’s education crisis cannot be kicked down the road any longer. We can fix this, but we have to act now.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | The election story no one is telling
We should demand that our elections be accurate. We should ask tough questions when warranted. Accountability and scrutiny are strengths of our system, not challenges to overcome. But we also have to be willing to look at the process for ourselves.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Facts point to need for federal voucher opt-out
Michigan needs stable, rational policy that supports students and educators. At the very least, education policy should aim to promote the public good, not balkanize our institutions and segregate our students.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan Medicaid system works because we invest in infrastructure behind it
Medicaid’s value depends on the systems behind it. Every policy change, however well-intentioned, is only as good as the state’s capacity to carry it out accurately and on time.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Making strides in Michigan’s mental health care
We can do better. We can create a system that prioritizes compassionate care during a crisis, reduces costs, ensures responsible use of taxpayer dollars and keeps first responders available to save lives in their own communities.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | State’s future depends on career and technical education offerings like this
We need CTE programs like the Tri-County Trades High School throughout the state. We also need programs for health care, building trades, and every other career path.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | With the right guardrails, we should consider embracing data centers
Instead of delaying approval of the data centers that power AI, Michigan must embrace the opportunity to lead another transformational industry, just as we did with the assembly line more than a century ago. We simply need some commonsense guardrails.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Hold right industry accountable for unaffordable health care: Big Pharma
Proposed state legislation would safeguard critical cost savings that hospitals reinvest in patient care and community health. Passing these bills would help physicians and safety-net hospitals keep treating patients who can’t afford the prices the manufacturers set.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan schools need better AI rules, not blanket bans
Schools do not need a perfect AI policy, but they need a usable one. Bans reward students who are better at hiding AI use, while still not teaching appropriate use.