In a resolution passed by a vote of 28-9, the faculty senate at the University of Michigan called on the administration to focus on increasing the diversity of the student body. Today, Blacks make up 5 percent of the student body, compared to 8.8 percent in 2001. In 2006, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment that bars state-operated universities from considering race in their admissions decisions. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on the constitutionality of this ban.
The resolution stated, in part, “The University of Michigan is a great public institution. It is imperative that the university continue to work strenuously to create a learning community that reflects its aspirations to be a leader in public institution in our increasingly diverse twenty-first century society.”
This is great news!!! Now, the work must begin on diversifying the faculty to help support and retain African American students.