Former regent hopes to win seat on board

Former University Regent Deane Baker (R-Ann Arbor) announced he will attempt to reclaim the seat he held for 24 years, but lost in the 1996 election.

"It is an important institution and I feel I can contribute to its well being," Baker said.

For the past two years, Baker, an Ann Arbor resident, has been busy working with his construction and land development business, but said he has kept up-to-date with events at the University.

Baker

"I feel reasonably knowledgeable about the University and recent events," Baker said.

Secretary and Vice President for University Relations Walter Harrison said he is not surprised by Baker's decision to campaign.

"Regent Baker served the University fairly and well for 24 years," Harrison said. "It doesn't surprise me that he wants to continue to serve."

The terms of regents Shirley McFee (R-Goodrich) and Phillip Power (D-Ann Arbor) - who have worked with Baker in the past - end this December. McFee said she does not plan to run for a second term.

"I do not plan to run for re-election," McFee said. "What former regent Baker plans to do is up for him to decide."

McFee said her decision not to seek re-election stems from a desire to trim her responsibilities.

"I've reached a point in my life where I'm cutting back on commitments rather than adding them," McFee said. "I've enjoyed my years on the board."

Should she feel that the Republican candidates are unqualified, McFee said, she would consider campaigning.

"The only thing that would cause me to change my mind would be for reasons other than my own personal reasons," McFee said. "There are other things I'd like to do with the rest of my life."

Power could not be reached for comment. But Miyoshi Shaw, communications director for the Michigan Democratic Party, said potential candidates have not yet been discussed.

"The party has not endorsed anyone yet," Shaw said. "We haven't heard anything from (Power) one way or the other."

Michigan Republican Party officials said they have four possible candidates for University regent. The official candidates will be chosen at the delegates' convention in August.

"We will put up the best candidate for the job," said Michigan Republican Party Communications Director Sage Eastman about candidates Baker, Jessie Dalman (R- Holland), David Brandon, a former Republican finance chair, and Jim Riske, an Engineering junior.

Eastman said the gubernatorial elections may set the election's tone, since Gov. John Engler is running for re-election.

"Having the governor at the top of the ticket bodes well for us all the way down the line," Eastman said.

During his three terms as regent, Baker took active stands on the issues of adding a student regent, the Medical Center and admissions policies.

Baker said it is important for the University's admissions policies to fall under the law.

"I said it is certainly important that the University comport with the law," Baker said. "The regents have an obligation to review those methods they are using and make sure they comport with the law.

"I think the federal courts are the final arbiter of these matters. If the court rules for the plaintiff, then we should modify our procedures to comport with the law."

Baker is still opposed to creating a student regent for the University. There are too many conflicts of interest for an enrolled student, Baker said.

"I think it would be an error to have a student regent," Baker said. "It is a position of power in the University ... deciding tenure, policies. ... If you are a student, you are in conflict when you have to make those judgments."

But Baker said his biggest concern is with the Medical Center.

"All universities with medical campuses and hospitals are subject to some kinds of problems," Baker said. "If the wrong decisions are made and the medical facilities become expensive and lose money in a serious way, that could have consequences.

"If it were not solid financially, it might inhibit some of the teaching programs," he said.

Baker attributed his 1996 loss to a heavily Democratic ticket during the last election, which coincided with the U.S. presidential election.

"Obviously I didn't get as many votes as the two democrats did," Baker said. "If you have a runaway election as Clinton did, you really have an (advantage over) the other party."

01-27-98