One of the University's most celebrated activists is coming home today.
University alum Tom Hayden, a California state senator and human rights activist, is expected to bring his message back to Ann Arbor today when he stops in town for a book signing, reception and a speech on the "Evolution of Activism" at the Michigan Union, sponsored by the Michigan Student Assembly.
"I've wanted to bring Tom Hayden to campus for some time," said Anne Marie Ellison, chair of MSA's Student Rights Commission. Ellison said she hopes the former student leader will "light a fire under some of my fellow students in terms of getting active on some issues."
Although the political climate on campus today is not nearly as volatile as when Hayden served as editor in chief of The Michigan Daily and was active in student government in the 1960s, Ellison and SRC have pushed the campus to revive student activism on issues such as the Code of Student Conduct.
"Tom Hayden sort of represents exactly what (the University of) Michigan was at one time - a place where activism was the norm," said MSA Vice President Probir Mehta.
Many of Hayden's pet issues are still relevant today, Mehta said.
Hayden is interested in higher education as a state and federal issue, Ellison said. "He's still got a real keen eye for higher education public policy," she said.
Hayden gained fame as one of the founders of Students for a Democratic Society, an activist group on college campuses during the 1960s. His work with SDS eventually led Hayden to Chicago for the 1968 Democratic National Convention, where he became one of the "Chicago Seven" - a group arrested during protests that week.
Hayden has since taken a different role in the political process, becoming a state senator in California and returning to Chicago this summer as a delegate to the 1996 Democratic National Convention.
"He still continues his activism, albeit in a different arena," Mehta said.
Hayden has focused his recent energies on environmentalism and his recently published book, "The Lost Gospel of the Earth." Hayden will be reading excerpts and signing copies of his book at Shaman Drum Bookstore from 4 to 6 p.m. today.
Prior to the book signing, Hayden will attend a public reception in the Pond Room of the Union from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is scheduled to speak in the Pendleton Room from 1 to 2 p.m.