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1964
- University of Michigan Vice President Roger Heyns, inspired by Michigan Governor George Romney's 1963 blue ribbon
committee report on higher education, asks U-M professor Stanford Ericksen to write a proposal for a state-wide learning
center for the university's legislative budget request.
- Although the legislature rejected most of the proposal, it helped spur legislative interest in a computer network that
would help the state's educational and economic development.
1966
- Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and University of Michigan form the Michigan Inter-university
Committee on Information Systems (MICIS) in early 1966.
- At MICIS' recommendation, the three universities form the non-profit Michigan Educational Research Information Triad
(MERIT), Inc. in the fall of 1966, as an entity to seek non-state funds for interuniversity computer communications.
MERIT's original Board of Directors were: Milton E. Muelder (MSU), Allan F. Smith (U-M), and Robert E. Hubbard (WSU).
Photo Credits:
Milton E. Muelder - Muelder International Summer Carillon Recital Series, Michigan State University
Allan F. Smith - Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan
Robert E. Hubbard - Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University.
1967
- After months of difficulty finding funding for their computer network idea, MICIS receives a grant for $200,000
for the computer network. The grant required MICIS to find a matching grant of $200,000 from another source, and was subject
to "systems study" and "cost analysis" requirements, which would cause delay and frustration two years later.
1968
- MICIS submit a $1.8 million proposal, entitled "Development of a Prototype Network of Computer Services for
Self-Instruction and Teaching," to the National Science Foundation (NSF) on January 26.
- Bertram Herzog, a professor of industrial engineering at the University of Michigan, is hired on a part-time
basis to coordinate proposals for additional funding.
- In May, NSF complains about "vagueness and lack of specificity" as well as the amount of money requested in
MERIT's proposal. Herzog and the Proposal Revision Subcommittee work between July and December on a new proposal.
In December, a 200 page proposal asking for $1million is submitted to NSF.
1969
- After lengthy negotiations with NSF, Merit receives $400,000 in funding. On July 17, William Copeland, Chairman
of the House Appropriations Committee sends a letter to Budget Director Glenn Allend stating that he believed that the
legislature's criteria had been met and suggests a joint meeting to discuss release of the matching $400,000 from the State.
Concerns voiced by some legislators and subsequent meetings cause delays. On December 18, the Senate passes a special
authorization to release the matching funds before the 75th legislature adjourns. The final release of state funding
doesn't come until January 14, 1970.
- In the fall, Bertram Herzog is named director for MERIT.
- While the struggles to clear the state funds were happening, Herzog lost no time starting to build the network.
By the August 8th MICIS meeting, he had hired Eric Aupperle as senior engineer. Aupperle immediately began looking for
hardware to make the network operational.
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