Dental faculty, students review affirmative action

Students and faculty gathered in Kellogg Auditorium yesterday to listen to panel members and speakers discuss the past, present and future of affirmative action at the University.

School of Dentistry Dean William Kotowicz began the lecture by talking about the school's history of racial demographics.

"What was it like in the School of Dentistry before affirmative action? It was white and male," Kotowicz said.

Kotowicz addressed changes in the student and faculty populations due to affirmative action, as well as the school's current standing.

"I think that we now share in our successes and failures in achieving multiculturalism," Kotowicz said. "While it has improved, there is still a lot of work to do."

Kotowicz also discussed his fears related to two lawsuits that target the University's admissions policies.

The lawsuit "will have an affect on the University of Michigan," Kotowicz said. "We need your help to negate that effect."

Marilyn Woolfolk, assistant dean for student services at the School of Dentistry, spoke about the future of affirmative action.

"In the new millennium, we must go beyond clinical competence and make sure our students have cultural competence as well," Woolfolk said.

Woolfolk also spoke about creating a school that is supportive of all students, regardless of race.

"Hand-in-hand with the process of choosing students who represent a breadth of experience and background, we should be concerned with creating an environment that supports all students," Woolfolk said.

A panel comprised of members of the School of Dentistry reacted various to the topics presented by the lecturers.

Dental third-year student Brad Griffin said retaining students after recruiting them is an always a very important function of affirmative action.

"I feel the University of Michigan has done a great job as far as the programs, groups and societies for Dental students," Griffin said.

Many panel members spoke on the importance in retaining affirmative action in the School of Dentistry.

"I think without affirmative action at this institution we open the floodgates for prejudices and biases," said Synthinia Pryor, manager of human resources at the School of Dentistry.

"I think it is unfortunate that affirmative action had to be instituted in the first place," Pryor said.

LSA sophomore Brendan Davis said he did not feel the panel changed his views on affirmative action.

"I'm not a supporter of affirmative action and this did little to change my view," Davis said. "They speak of diversity being a very important part of the University, but they don't say how it is important."

01-20-98