At the time of the Regents' announcement of Mary Sue Coleman as the next President of the University of Michigan, SACUA Chair Charlie Koopmann sent the following message to the media and the University community:

I will try to summarize my impressions of President Coleman's selection as our next University President:

1.   Selection Process:  I would congratulate the Regents on the way they conducted the search process and with the lack of 'leaks' during the deliberations.  It is highly unlikely that a sitting president (especially one from another Big Ten institution) would have been able to be considered if his/her name were subjected to public scrutiny during the deliberations.  It is my opinion that those who felt that protecting the identities of the candidates have been vindicated.

 2.  President Coleman:  President Coleman appears to be an excellent choice for leading the University of Michigan.  She has held multiple administrative positions at other public institutions.  Her background as a funded scientist will be helpful to our mission as a research institution.  Her experience in matters of public health issues and as a member of the Knight Commission (intercollegiate athletics) will serve our university well.  I certainly hope that her experience at Grinnell College (an excellent liberal arts school) will translate to a renewed emphasis upon enriching the experience of our undergraduate students as well as rewarding teaching excellence among our faculty.  I wish to congratulate her on her selection as President of the University of Michigan.  I am looking forward to establishing a working relationship with her as soon as her schedule permits.

 3.  President Joseph White:  In his short tenure as Interim President Joe White did a remarkable job.  Many of my associates were quite impressed with his interest in improving faculty input into university governance, in the rapidity with which he understood complex issues, and with the effort that he made to 'connect' with his constituency.  I would suggest that students and faculty alike learn from his example-specifically the graceful and dignified way in which he conducted himself during the past few months and especially in the last 48 hours.  I consider it a privilege to have worked with President White and hope that we shall continue to collaborate in the future.

 C. F. Koopmann, Jr., MD, MHSA

 Faculty Chair