University moves forward, seeks input on diversity issues

Updated 10:00 AM January 15, 2007

University moves forward, seeks input on diversity issues

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By Laura Lessnau
News Service

The University should host workshops on racism and stereotypes during orientation, develop creative student recruitment efforts and enhance programs to improve the climate on campus—these are some of the ideas brought to the Diversity Blueprints task force by speakers at its first community meeting.

Three more public sessions are planned:

• 9-10 a.m. Jan. 22, Michigan Union Anderson Rooms B, C, and D.

• 11 a.m.-noon Feb. 7, East Room, Pierpont Commons, North Campus.

• 4-5 p.m. Feb. 23, location to be determined.

"It's great to get some of the key facts out there and focus on new ideas," said Kevin Szawala, LSA senior who spoke at the Jan. 10 meeting at the Towsley Center. He proposed a Challenge Day program that includes role-playing and discussion. "I still feel there's a lot of division with students, so I hope they latch on to some of these programs."

Diversity Blueprints, a new campuswide task force, meets regularly to encourage brainstorming and creative thinking among all segments of the University community. The group, comprising administration leaders, faculty, staff, students and alumni, will develop action plans to pursue the best ideas developed through this process.

The task force is co-chaired by Teresa Sullivan, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, and Lester Monts, senior vice provost and senior counselor to the president, and includes students, staff, faculty, alumni and administrators. The University is committing significant resources to some of the best and most promising recommendations that the Diversity Blueprints task force brings forward, Monts says.

"We are pleased that the campus community takes this issue seriously and wants to participate in this process," he says.

Initial recommendations will be presented to President Mary Sue Coleman on Feb. 15, and implementation of the most promising ideas will be considered by March 15.

Efforts are under way across campus to promote, develop and support diversity.

The Division of Student Affairs is offering a retreat for students about campus climate Jan. 27, with a full day of presentations, programs and breakout sessions that will include: the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching; Office of Undergraduate Admissions; Center for the Education of Women; Office of Student Activities and Leadership; and the Office of the General Counsel.

About 100 students, including representatives from student groups and those interested in post-Proposal 2 initiatives, are being invited to attend.

Topics include: Relationships among students; programs, services and student organizations in the postelection environment; strengthening student relationships with faculty and advisers; women's issues and climate issues for students who are parents; housing climate and residence education; attracting newly admitted students; and graduate student issues.

"We are marching ahead on this," says Susan Eklund, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students. "We want to provide the best possible climate for students, and we value their input."

The University resumed admissions Jan. 10 at all levels, after a one-week postponement, removing race, gender, ethnicity or national origin as factors in the decision-making process.

The admissions process is designed to consider all aspects of a student's record and experience, and is not intended to admit applicants solely on the basis of grade point averages, test scores, or any other single criterion, says Christopher Lucier, director of recruitment and operations in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. He says the process is comprehensive and holistic.

Altogether, students are evaluated on more than 50 criteria, including whether they have an outstanding array of academic and extracurricular credentials, and if they have overcome any obstacles, including adverse family or social conditions. Other considerations: socioeconomic background; geographic location; and wide-ranging interests, achievements, experiences and talents.

Admissions and financial aid commitments made on or before Dec. 29, 2006, under the University's previous admissions and financial aid guidelines, will remain in place. Students with questions or concerns about financial aid should contact the Office of Financial Aid for assistance.

"We offer considerable financial aid for Michigan residents and nonresidents, and undergraduate and graduate students, and we will continue to honor our commitments," Sullivan says. "We want students to feel secure in their education here at Michigan."

The members of the Diversity Blueprints Task Force include:
Shari Acho, associate athletic director, Department of Athletics
Rebekah Ashley, Human Resources & Affirmative Action academic labor relations
Deborah Ball, dean and professor, School of Education
Percy Bates, professor of education and director, Programs of Educational Opportunity, School of Education
Catherine Benamou, associate professor of American culture and screen arts and cultures
Mary Elizabeth Bunn, alumna
Courtney Cogburn, graduate student and president of Students of Color of Rackham
Elizabeth Cole, associate professor of women's studies and Afroamerican and African studies
Philip Deloria, professor of history and director, program in American Culture
Angela Dillard, associate professor of Afroamerican and African Studies and associate professor in the Residential College
Anthony England, professor of electrical engineering and computer science and associate dean, College of Engineering
Billy Evans, professor emeritus of chemistry
Jamila Fair, undergraduate student
Kevin Gaines, professor of history and professor and director, Center for Afroamerican and African Studies
David Gordon, professor and associate dean, Medical School; chair, University Diversity Council
Patricia Gurin, professor emerita of women's studies and psychology
Brittany Marino, undergraduate student
Robert Megginson, professor of mathematics and associate dean, LSA
Lester Monts, senior vice provost and senior counselor to the president, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Music and Diversity Blueprints Task Force co-chair
Donney Moroney, counselor, Medical School administration
David Munson, dean and professor, College of Engineering
Linda Newman, University Housing, senior associate director/community living
Robert Ortega, associate professor of social work
Scott Page, professor of political science and economics
David Schoem, adjunct associate professor of sociology and director, Michigan Community Scholars Program
Joseph Schwarz, former U.S. Representative, R-Mich.; alumnus, and chair of the Board of Directors of the U-M Alumni Association
Charles B. Smith, professor of pharmacology; chair, Senate Advisory Committee on University Affairs
Edward St. John, professor of education
Richard Stacy, alumnus
Nicole Stallings, undergraduate student and president of the Michigan Student Assembly
Jim Stapleton, alumnus
Amy Stillman, associate professor of American Culture and program director, program in American Culture
Teresa Sullivan, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs; Diversity Blueprints Task Force co-chair
Perry Teicher, undergraduate student
Sanjaya Thakur, graduate student and president of Rackham Student Government
Monique Washington, director of admissions, Rackham School of Graduate Studies
Grace Wu, psychiatry administration, Medical School
Mieko Yoshihama, professor, School of Social Work.
Evans Young, assistant dean, LSA Task Force senior administrative advisers
Philip Bowman, director, Center for Institutional Diversity
Susan Eklund, associate vice president and dean of students
Pam Fowler, director, Office of Financial Aid
Carol Hollenshead, director, Center for the Education of Women
Maya Kobersy, assistant general counsel
Richard Lempert, professor of law and sociology
John Matlock, associate vice provost and director, Office of Academic Multicultural Affairs
Laura Patterson, associate vice president for Administration Information Systems
Julie Peterson, associate vice president for Media Relations and Public Affairs
Ted Spencer, associate vice provost and director, Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Laurita Thomas, associate vice president for Human Resources and Affirmative Action
Anthony Walesby, assistant provost and senior director, Office of Institutional Equity

Task Force coordinators

Crisca Bierwert, associate director, Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT)
Dilip Das, project manager, special counsel to the Senior Vice Provost
A.T. Miller, coordinator of Multicultural Teaching and Learning in CRLT; director of Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates in the National Center for Institutional Diversity

University moves forward, seeks input on diversity issues

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