University of Michigan Presideny Mary Sue Coleman delivered the line “We are Michigan and we are Diversity” today in discussing the school’s response to the passage of a statewide ban on affirmative action in Michigan. (I suspect this won’t be a cheer heard at the Big House anytime soon.)
Coleman also said that the school will seek a legal answer to how the school should proceed with increasing diversity without affirmative action. She also hinted at a legal challenge on the measure saying, “I believe there are serious questions as to whether this initiative is
lawful, particularly as it pertains to higher education. I have asked
our attorneys for their full and undivided support in defending
diversity at the University of Michigan. I will immediately begin
exploring legal action concerning this initiative.
But we will not limit our drive for diversity to the courts, because
our conviction extends well beyond the legal landscape.”
This sounds like a case of, as Jon mentioned earlier, of higher education leaders running past the law or the will of the people.
