Days of action set to begin

Despite midterms and assignments, hundreds of University students may put classroom commitments aside tomorrow and Thursday to participate in the nationwide 2 Days of Action in defense of Affirmative Action.

The event, which will take place nationally at universities such as Yale University, Harvard University and Arizona State University, is supported locally by several organizations on campus including United for Affirmative Action and the Michigan Student Assembly.

The demonstration is in response to a call from professors in California, where affirmative action recently was abolished due to Proposition 209, a law approved by voters in 1996.

They also come as the University braces to protect its affirmative action policies. Two lawsuits filed against the University by white applicants target the use of race as a factor in the admissions process.

Rackham student Jessica Curtin, a member of the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action By Any Means Necessary, said the event aims to strengthen the affirmative action movement.

"The goal is to take the student movement and make it stronger, so as a nation we can succeed to defend affirmative action," Curtin said.

As a way to fortify the movement, various members of the campus community plan to host workshops on the importance of affirmative action throughout the two days.

One of the key events will be a rally and march set to begin on the steps of the Michigan Union at noon tomorrow, featuring speakers from student groups involved in the cause.

Law second-year student Birch Harms, a member of Law Students in Support of Affirmative Action, said he hopes students will use the event to show their support of affirmative action on campus.

"I would hate to be in a school that didn't have representation of the real world," Harms said.

Although Harms said the ultimate fate of affirmative action will be decided in the court system, students can impact the way society perceives the issue.

"If they care about affirmative action, they need to let everyone know - schools, courts, public," Harms said.

Included in the two days' events will be presentations by professors exploring the issue from various aspects, including perspectives from Latino and Asian communities.

While administrators encourage students to take part in the days' discussions, a written statement provided by Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Nancy Cantor warns students to not let the days interfere with classroom activities.

"Members of the University community need to express their opinions about this important issue," Cantor said. "Staying away from class, however, is not the right way to do so. We encourage all of our students to take part in this week's activities while keeping up with their classroom commitments."

But some graduate student instructors and professors are accommodating students who desire to participate.

Amber Peters, a biology GSI, said she will allow students to turn in assignments at a later time in order to permit students to attend the demonstrations and workshops.

"College is an important time to think about values," Peters said. "This is a good way to show what they feel."

Infog:

Wednesday October 21

2:00- 4:00 Mass Meeting - Organizing a National Movement to Defend Affirmative Action Michigan Union Pond Room

6:30-8:00 pm "The History of Affirmative Action: What It Is & How It Was Won" Shanta Driver, National Bamn Organizer MLB Aud 3

Thursday October 22

2:00- 4:00 "Our Voice Will Be Heard: Students' Intervention Into the Lawsuit"

Milton Henry attorney for LSA intervenors, Miranda Massie, attorney for law student intervenors, Student Intervenors

Michigan Union, Anderson A& B

10-20-98