Groups unite for affirmative action

Speaking to a crowd of reporters yesterday, leaders of different campus groups gave symbolic and vocal backing of the University's affirmative action policies.

A panel of 11 student group representatives delivered a statement on behalf of 45 campus organizations that collectively "support the promotion of diversity and equality through the continued implementation of affirmative action policies at the University of Michigan."

Baker

Groups backing the statement include the Black Student Union, the United Asian American Organizations, the Native American Student Association and Alianza, a Latino/a student group.

Led by moderators Diane Nguyen and Keith Parks, leaders of the organizations said they began meeting the day the lawsuit was announced.

"We have come together in the hopes of educating those who are not as informed on this issue," Parks said.

"We're hoping to educate the students and to limit misconceptions of affirmative action," Nguyen said. "We're willing to work with anyone who supports affirmative action."

Panelist Ponni Perumalswami, a UAAO representative, said many organizations have come together with a common purpose.

"We came together to educate our community and begin the dialogue on this issue," Perumalswami said. "We want to further help the dialogue to move along, and the press conference is the first step in terms of putting it forth to the community that students are a part of this - that we have a voice."

Nguyen

The conference centered on the groups' reasons for supporting affirmative action at the University.

Joe Reilly, a panelist and co-chair of the Native American Student Association, said affirmative action is essential to maintaining racial harmony on campus.

"Affirmative action is definitely necessary in order to get equality, to get our voices heard," Reilly said. "Affirmative action is a step in promoting this diversity."

Nguyen said the learning process at the University will be hindered if the University's demographics are altered.

"When I heard of the affirmative action lawsuit, I wasn't shocked as much as I was disappointed," Nguyen said.

"Affirmative action has really enriched my life. My understanding of the world is so much greater. Learning is not only from text, but from who and what is around us."

John Baker, a panelist and representative of the Students of Color of Rackham group, said the number of minority students will drop if affirmative action is eliminated at the University.

"Affirmative action is the one thing that's in place that ensures diversity on this campus," Baker said. "One thing that drew me to the University was its diversity. Many students choose Michigan because of its diversity, so if this lawsuit goes through, many may not want to come here."

Panelists said they have planned events such as teach-ins and letter-writing campaigns to increase awareness about affirmative action issues. Panelists also said they hope to participate in a Nov. 17-20 symposium that will center around presenting opinions favoring and opposing affirmative action.

Parks said the representatives of the different organizations plan to continue working together.

"It plans to be a continuous thing," Parks said. "We would like to discuss things beyond this issue and to increase cultural awareness. One of the great things about this is that all of these groups are able to share with each other things that are new and different."

Perumalswami said uniting the student groups is important in promoting accord on campus.

"The intention of the group is that it's just going to be a place where we throw around ideas, and then a place where we can start to organize things for the community using each of the resources we have," Perumalswami said. "It's not a group that's closed to the public, but then again, it's not a free-for-all. And basically only representatives from student organizations are involved."

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