15 Year Book - Flipbook - Page 123
The 2006 enactment of Proposal 2, the State of Michigan referendum restricting the use of race- and genderconscious approaches in admissions, hiring, and other functions in public institutions, presented a significant
setback to the University of Michigan's efforts to infuse diversity into campus life and beyond. The legislation
prompted then-President Mary Sue Coleman to proclaim in a speech on the Diag:
"I am standing here today to tell you that I will not allow this University to go down the path of mediocrity. That is
not Michigan. Diversity makes us strong, and it is too critical to our mission, too critical to our excellence, and too
critical to our future to simply abandon."
In response to President Coleman's pronouncement, a cadre of faculty, staff,
and administrators began to seek ways to enhance institutional diversity
while complying with state law. In consultation with colleagues at the
University of California, where the 1996 anti-affirmative action legislation
(Proposal 209) had passed and upon which the Michigan legislation was
primarily based, we determined that outreach efforts were permissible
within Proposal 2 guidelines. Hence, a proposal for a more focused set of
initiatives became a part of the Diversity Blueprints Task Force Proposal.
While outreach programs and activities were vital to the Office of
Undergraduate Admissions (OUA), the Office of Academic Multicultural
Initiatives (OAMI), and many undergraduate schools and colleges, the new
Center for Educational Outreach (CEO) provided much-needed partnerships
and coordination.
CEO'S SUCCESS ... IS
BASED ... [ON] ITS STAFF,
THE COLLABORATIVE
EFFORTS WITH FACULTY
VOLUNTEERS AND
SCHOOL/COMMUNITY
PARTNERS, AND ITS
MISSION TO PROMOTE
THE TENETS OF
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND
INCLUSION
Dr. William Collins, former director of the Comprehensive Studies Program
(CSP), became the CEO director and established a robust set of progressive
initiatives. From those roots, and with cooperation from faculty, staff,
students, and K-12 collaborators around the state, CEO's outreach through programs such as the Wolverine Express,
Michigan College Advising Corps, Camp Kinomaage, GEAR UP, and programs on college advising, admissions and
financial aid workshops, enhanced prospective students awareness of the joys and challenges of University life.
The CEO's success over the last 15 years is based in considerable measure on the leadership and professionalism of its
staff, the collaborative efforts with faculty volunteers and school/community partners, and its mission to promote the
tenets of diversity, equity and inclusion that are heightening the educational awareness of prospective college students.
These components have laid a strong foundation for advancing the importance of the CEO's mission well into the future.
— Dr. Lester Monts
123
