Election may impact admissions suits

By Jen Fish

Daily Staff Reporter

With the partisan makeup on the University Board of Regents hinging on the outcome of next week's election, those who voted in support of the University's admission policies could find itself outnumbered.

Challengers to Democratic incumbents Larry Deitch and Rebecca McGowan have discussed the possibility of stopping the University's defense in the two affirmative action lawsuits.

Michigan's constitution grants the board "general supervision of its institution and the control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds," and they in turn, have delegated the day-to-day running of the University to President Lee Bollinger.

"If I were on the board, I would seriously question this lawsuit and seriously question the cost of what the University is spending," said Susy Avery, a Republican running for a seat on the board. "It just doesn't seem to be an effective use of University money."

Hypothetically, the regents could ask Bollinger to settle the case, or, if the case's outcome is appealed by either side, direct him to not engage the University in an appeal process.

"One of the critical issues is whether or not we're going to continue to fight for our affirmative action policies," said Regent Kathy White (D-Ann Arbor), a Wayne State University law professor.

When asked at a regent candidates forum if they would ever vote to appeal the lawsuits, Deitch and McGowan had one simple, emphatic answer: Yes.

"Our admissions policy is legally, educationally and morally correct. I would defend the University's policies to the United States Supreme Court if necessary," Deitch said.

McGowan said she is in complete agreement with her colleague. "There are a lot of people riding on this. Everyone is counting on us," McGowan said. "We're going to take this further than any other institution has taken it."

Whatever happens in the lawsuit, Deitch and McGowan are staunch supporters of the University's position. Both candidates are emphatic about their devotion to affirmative action.

"I think that this place is infinitely better than it was in the past because of its commitment to building a diverse student body," Deitch said. "Nobody owns a place in a class at the University of Michigan. When you look at the history of the University, taking race as a factor is appropriate and justified."

Both incumbents have expressed uneasiness at their opponents' discussion of settling the lawsuits before they have even gone to trial. "Suggesting before we've had our first time in court that it's time to settle is beyond the bounds of believability," McGowan said.