Attacks on out-of-state enrollment continue

Some people think students should be admitted to universities solely based on their high school academic performance. Others argue factors such as race, economic status and alumni legacies should augment a student's application.

And each year, state legislators, students, admissions counselors and Michigan citizens debate whether state high school graduates should gain admission preference over out-of-state applicants to state-funded universities.

State Sen. John Schwarz (R-Battle Creek), who chairs the Senate Appropriation Subcommittee on Higher Education, said this issue emerges yearly during the Legislature's debate on state funding for Michigan's 15 public colleges and universities.

"The issue has never really come up in any forum other than the pertaining to the University of Michigan," Schwarz said. "The University is accepting virtually all qualified, and I underline qualified, Michigan high school graduates that apply."

Although this year's admissions data is not yet available, the University historically has been composed of about one-third out-of-state students and two-thirds in-state students. That guideline, while not official, dates back to the former University president Robben Fleming, who suggested limiting out-of-state enrollment to 30 percent of the student body in the late '60s.

Vice President for Government Relations Cynthia Wilbanks said that number "remains in the memories" of state legislators, and their debates on the issue often center on Fleming's idea.

"The issue was raised years ago by the Legislature," said Wilbanks, the University's Lansing lobbyist. "Now, the Legislature says the University should work hard to recruit and admit qualified Michigan students," but the Legislature stopped short of setting a quota.

That legislative intent is included in a boiler plate - the list of suggestions and requirements given to the University along with their budget appropriation.

While some legislators, including state House Appropriations Committee Chair Morris Hood (D-Detroit), advocate further action to admit state students, the autonomy of state universities must be maintained, Wilbanks said.

State Rep. Jessie Dalman (R-Holland), a candidate for regent, said she has never voted to mandate a quota, but she does think this issue should be dealt with at the University.

"We need to deal with it at the (University) Board of Regents level," Dalman said. "One third of students coming from out of state at a state supported school does not make sense."

Regent Phil Power (D-Ann Arbor), the only incumbent running for re-election this year, said residency should not be an issue in admissions, there is a much greater issue at hand.

"The issue is how we get the most diverse student body, so we can ... augment the University experience," Power said.

Gov. John Engler does not support quotas but said he would like to see as many Michigan students that are qualified admitted into Michigan schools. He said work on primary education will help students have the tools needed to be admitted.

Schwarz said this argument has no foreseeable end, and the University should not bow down to people and let unqualified students into the University just because they are from the state.

"The University of Michigan has been called an elite school, and that's because it is an elite school," Schwarz said. "It takes the best of the best. No one should ever suggest that the University should lower their standards.

"There will always be a repository of ill will toward Michigan," Schwarz said.

The University works to recruit and admit students from the state every year, Wilbanks said.

"Admissions decisions are very near and dear to the University," Wilbanks said. "We have to make sure the legislature doesn't trample on the University autonomy."

10-07-98