Regents respond to suit

Amidst a class action lawsuit that threatens the University's future use of affirmative action in admissions, University President Lee Bollinger announced the administration's plan to educate the campus about the complexity of diversity.

Bollinger said the suit, which claims the University's use of race as a factor in undergraduate admissions is unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment, attacks a long-standing policy that is part of the University's tradition of encouraging diversity.

"What we have with respect to the admission process is the same as every other institution in the country," Bollinger said. "We view this with the gravest possible concern, with the present success of this movement (in California and Texas) ... what has happened to diversity in those institutions is unfortunate, but nevertheless crystal-clear proof of what we will face if this suit is successful."

Bollinger said it is important to view the suit as a discussion in which the University can take a serious look at itself.

"This is an educational institution," Bollinger said. "We must come to terms with it educationally. This will be a difficult time for the University of Michigan. It will test the character of the institution. I do not mean that this discussion, or debate, is unacceptable. On the contrary, we are dealing with something that goes deep into our history."

Provost Nancy Cantor said she and the president have begun to form plans to enrich campus discussion on the topic of diversity. Cantor said activities will include town meetings and a lecture series that will bring in scholars from around the nation to discuss issues ranging from American culture to the particulars of diversity.

"I think we hope people will rise to the understanding that this is one community," Cantor said. "Our core mission is to be a place where all views can be aired."

Regent Philip Power (D-Ann Arbor) said the intricacy of the suit has the opportunity to bring the University community together.

"This is plainly a very large matter. It is striking absolutely at our core as a public institution," Power said. "It is also a very complicated subject, and will require all parts of our community to think about who we are, what we have been and relate that to our existing community."

Power said the suit will allow the University to evaluate its goals.

"I think this debate comes from between the means and the end," Power said. "Mainly the end is for us to have a diverse student body. At this point, affirmative action is the means."

Regent Olivia Maynard (D-Goodrich) said the suits threat to diversity could have consequences reaching beyond the University campus.

"The lawsuit is not unexpected. The whole issue of diversity is more important than just this campus," Maynard said. "We need to educate here a group of men and women who reflect the community in which we live, and the community that will be in the 21st century."

Regent S. Martin Taylor (D-Grosse Isle) said the lawsuit must be taken seriously.

"I am in absolute unequivocal support of the University in this area," Taylor said. "I am confidant that the University will prevail. (Affirmative action) is in the best interest of the students at the University, the entire state and the nation."

Regent Shirley McFee (R-Battle Creek) said she hopes the suit will not deter minority students from applying to the University.

"I think the impact it will have (is) it will make us to take a long look at our policies," McFee said.

"I think the importance of diversity at the University is extraordinary."

- Daily Staff Reporter Janet Adamy contributed to this report.

10-20-97