Page 8B-Thursday, September 6, 1979-The Michigan Daily Regents 'Ayes' and 'nays' dictate future policy By MITCH CANTOR "The three committees are advisory only and the Board of Regents alone has the power to appoint and cannot share this power." -From a set of guidelines passed by the Regents concerning the three advisory com- mittees established to assist the Regents in selecting a new president of the University. This particular passage reflects the Regents' status: .They have the final say regarding major policies of the University. While administrators make lower-level decisions every day, it is the Board which decides the direction of the University-which buildings will be constructed, which programs are to live and die. Each month (usually the third Thurs- day and Friday) the group rolls into town to face thick agendas in the Regents Room of the Administration Building. Sandwiched between the Board's open meetings during the two days is a public comments session on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Concerned students and other citizens may use this time to address the Board on Univer- sity-related issues. OFTEN THE Board's meetings in- clude, presentations from University faculty and administrators about the issues being considered. The Regents also often question such authorities about the matters at hand. Elected statewide for eight-year terms, the Regents come from various parts of Michigan, with two of them-Deane Baker and Sarah Power-living right here in the city. On the opposite end of the spectrum the Board also includes Paul Brown and James Waters, who live in distant parts, of the state (Petoskey and Muskegon, respectively). While the Regents are elected, it is apparent that they don't win their seats because of their positions on issues. Regental races just don't stir the in- terest of the electorate. Even the Board members admit that victorious Regen- tal candidates are usually swept into of- fice as their party finishes. strongly in the November state election. MANY WHO claim these elections mock the democratic process have urged the state legislature to amend the Michigan Constitution to allow the governor to appoint the University's Regents. Gov. William Milliken has per- sonally endorsed the plan, as well as mentioning it several times in recent years. Presently, 10 of the state's 13 colleges have governing boards appoin- ted by the governor. The plan, which hasn't seen much strong legislative support, is endorsed by only one of the University's Regents, David Laro. Milliken appointed Laro to the Board in 1975 to fill a vacancy. While it seems as if very few Univer- sity students can name any single Regent, the group as a whole suffers from no lack of attention. Because of the impact of it's decisions, the Board often draws attention when it comes to town for its meetings. LAST YEAR, for instance, several issues brought students out of the classrooms and into the Administration Building. Early in the year the big issue was a proposed dining complex which would have served as a mass cafeteria for residents of several dormitories. Next came changes in the structure of the Michigan Union. A report that called for making the Union more iv Daily Photo rop-;DER I - Eve rybodyTopside The Sperry Topsider is a Genuine handcrafted moccasin, mounted on an anti-slip yachting sole: In Dark Brown Elk dyed cowhide. Narrow and Medium in Men's sizes 6 to 13 and Ladies' sizes 5 to 10. mm.- .------- ----- -------- . ALSO THESE OTHER FAMOUS BRANDS TO CHOOSE FROM -- 5 " CLARKS e FLORSHEIM WALLABEE. "DEXTER * FRYE " OLOF DAUGHTER CLOGS " BASS SANKAMERICARO DOWNTOWN )CAMPUS 217 S. Main St. Ma t'619 E. Liberty3 Open Mon. and Fri. Open Friday Nites'til 8:30' L 111111111111111 POLITICAL SCIENCE TEACHING Assistant Alan Levy tells the Regents, with former president Robben Fleming at the helm, that Political Science Assistant Prof. Joel Samoff deserves tenure (above). At left, Regent Deane Baker (R- Ann Arbor) offers an opinion on a matter before the Board. Several issues considered by the Regents last year drew considerable attention from the campus community. The Board ata glance:* DELTA TAU DELTA FRATERNI T Y Lce st WeWelco mes ou to, the AF Deane Baker (R-Ann Arbor)-This staunch Republican, president of his own construction company, seems to always say what's on his mind at the meetings. The 54-year-old regent has on several occasions voiced strong disdain for student demonstrations. He often speaks for the interests of the Univer- sity alumni. Paul Brown (D-Petoskey)-Elected to his second term last year, Brown, 44, often seems more responsive to student opinion than the rest of the Board. A man of few words more often than not, Brown practices law in his distant hometown. Gerald Dunn (D-Lansing)-A former state senator, Dunn remains quiet on many issues but brings up key questions on some proposals before the Board. Dunn, 44, is serving his second regional term. David Laro (R-Flint)-Laro is the only regent currently serving that was not elected to the Board. Instead, Governor William Milliken appointed the 37-year-old attorney to the position after a spot was vacated in 1975. Laro, who twice served as Milliken's Genesee County campaign chairman, has at times strongly supported students in their viewpoints while also often defen- ding the power of the Board under cer- tain circumstances. Robert Nederlander (D-Birming- ham)-Also an attorney, Nederlander seems to ask the most-and often the most pertinent-questions on many of the issues facing the Board, The 46- year-old regent is a part owner of Detroit's Fisher Theatre as well as Clarkston's Pine Knob. Sarah Power (D-Ann Arbor)-Power holds several other organizational positions, including one with the United Nations. Usually quiet on most of the Board's business, the 44-year-old regent seems to have several pet issues about which she is quite vocal. Often unpredictable until her vote is cast, she is the wife of publisher and. past senatorial candidate Phil Power. Thomas Roach (D-Saline)-A seemingly unflappable character, this. 50-year-old attorney can often be seen reclining in his plush regental chair' puffing on his pipe, evenwhentconfron- ted by vocal students. Roach can also often be seen meticulously poring over the piles of documents presented to the regents for their review. James Waters (D-Muskegon)-This 39-year-old attorney rarely talks at the meetings, usually speaking only on issues relating to minorities or labor. Waters, the only black member of the Board, is serving his second term as a regent. University of Michigan L A TA 1928 Geddes 761-3123 Back to. 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