MSA resolves to support lawsuit intervention

As affirmative action opponents have become increasingly vocal and active, rallying behind two lawsuits that target the University's race-based admissions, student leaders who support racial preferences in higher education are also making their views heard.

Forty-one University and high school students filed a motion two months ago to intervene in the lawsuit filed against the Law School, saying they would help represent the views of students on the issue of affirmative action.

The Michigan Student Assembly voted Tuesday night to pass a resolution in support of the students' attempt to intervene in the lawsuit.

The assembly, as a body, will sign a petition being circulated by the law students, requesting to allow the students to join in the suit as defendants. The petition will be presented to Judge Bernard Friedman.

Miranda Massie, lead attorney for the students' intervention, said MSA's endorsement of the intervention would help the students' case.

"It shows that students and community members understand that those who are the target of this racist lawsuit, that is affirmative action beneficiaries, have a right to be present for the termination of their rights and interests," Massie said. "They will assist the University's defense and provide the court with information."

Rackham Rep. Jessica Foster, a Public Policy first-year student, said she is in favor of the students' right to intervene.

"I support the intervention because I think that minority students have a valid stake in this lawsuit," Foster said. "We're just stating as students that we support other students' rights. We're not trying to put pressure on the judge."

LSA Rep. Dan Serota voted against the measure, citing his worry that the intervention would hinder the University's defense of its affirmative action policies.

"I'm concerned about whether the intervention would damage the case of the University to defend affirmative action," Serota said. "I also question whether we should support students outside the University."

Some of the students are also circulating the petition around campus, asking community members to support their efforts to intervene.

Law first-year student Jasmine Abdel-Khalik, one of the students attempting to intervene, said signing the petition does not mean supporting affirmative action, only supporting the right of students to have their day in court.

"It's not necessarily a petition to support the position of the law students for affirmative action," Abdel-Khalik said. "The petition is saying you support the students' right to be heard."

04-16-98