The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition - Thursday, September 7, 1989 - Page 7

A day in the life of Vice Provost Moody


Strivin
by Marion Davis
Daily Staff Writer
Since his appointment to vice-
provost of minority affairs, Dr.
Charles D. Moody has become
highly visible. He's participated in
numerous forums concerning minor-
ity affairs and has been quoted by
newspapers around the nation. He
has been interviewed on radio and
was a panelist on a public affairs
television show. But Moody main-
tains "I'm not looking for celebrity
status. I do what I have to do and
that's what I do."
A lot of people are watching
him. Some to see what the new
vice- provost will accomplish. Some
to see where he is going to fail. The

g to rid
day I spent with Vice-Provost
Moody, I was watching to see just
exactly what he is already doing.
Thursday, April 13
9:00- 10:00 Interview candidate
Directorship of Office of
Minority Affairs
10:15, Marion Davis, Michigan
Daily... rest of day
10:00 - 10:30 Tom Rogers, Ann
Arbor News
Dr. Moody was reclining in a
chair, when the reporter asked if he
thought the rash of racist fliers found
on campus was the work of one per-
son or a group of people. In less
than a moment he was waving his
hands in the air as though he was
trying to paint a picture for someone

l

'U'of racism

who didn't understand where he was
coming from. It didn't matter if it
was one person or one hundred peo-
ple; any racist attack is a threat to
anyone's right as a human being to
peacefully exist in his work or social
environment.
The questions went on and on,
until Moody decided to ask a few of
his own. What was he as an individ-
ual doing about racism on his job or
in his community? How many mi-
norities did his employer have on
staff? "People can see the speck in
someone else's eyes but can't see
the gleam in their own eye." Dr.
Moody wasn't accusing, he was ex-
plaining. His job is "more than a
one person job. It is the responsibil-
ity of the entire University commu-
nity and the larger community...
The University didn't get where it is
by the acts and efforts of one person
and we won't get out of it by the ef-
forts of one person.'
11:30 - 1:00 Lunch: Ruth
Freedman, Dr. Greene , Dr.
Anderson
Every now and then Dr. Moody's
input will affect minorities beyond
the reaches of the University.
Moody was having lunch with
two U-M doctors who were seeking
his advice on how to distribute in-
formation about diabetes to the
Black community. He gave sugges-
tions and when he didn't have the
answer he gave a referral. He drank
iced- tea. He quoted statistics and
challenged them not to repeat the
mistakes others have made. "We
keep restating the problem and find-
ing evidence of the problem but we
never do anything about the solu-
tions." He wanted more than just
another proposal. He wanted results.
1:30 Video Producer: Bob Bales
and Jim Beck
"Orientation is a process and not an
event, and that process begins from
the first letter they receive from the.
o University." Dr. Moody was meet-
ing with the writer and producer of a
LL new video that is going to be used to
ointroduce incoming students to col-
lege life. Recruitment and retention
of minority faculty and students con-
tinues to be a top item on the agenda
of the University and Dr. Moody.
Since 1987, OMA has expanded

programs such as The College Day
Program which give high school
minority students a first hand look at
the University. But some critics say
the results of such programs have
not been felt quickly enough. Dr.
Moody is optimistic:" ... we will
see some impact. This University
didn't get this way over night and it
isn't going to change over night...
We're beginning to put things in
place. We've increased the pool of
students... " Racism or no racism
he believes "this is everybody's in-
stitution..."
2:10 A first-year student and his
parents
A minority student, who had
been accepted into the University
was touring the campus. They
wanted Moody to tell them about
racism at the University. What about
the fliers? Is their a lot of tension on
campus? How is the learning envi-
ronment for minority students?
Questions Dr. Moody has heard time
and time again. Questions asked not
only by reporters who have to write
a story, but also by parents who
want to know if Michigan is a safe
environment to leave their children
in for four months. His answer was
simple, concise, and direct. "You
can't let that stuff immobilize you.
Your number one reason for coming
to this institution is to get the best
education and resources."
3:15 - 3:30 A student
Dr. Moody has a relationship with
students that goes beyond his job de-
scription. He often doubles as a
counselor. "I have a philosophy.
You don't make the decision for
people. You let them make it."
3:30 - 4:00 Another student
4:00 - 6:00 Chris Jones and other
Black Student Union officers
"Students. If there were no students
working to change things, this would
not be a job I would want or have,"
Dr. Moody told the newly elected of-
ficers of the Black Student Union.
Dr. Moody regularly meets with an
executive officer of the BSU to dis-
cuss current issues and maybe even
give some insight on leadership.
"Make clear what your mission is
so people will know what business
you're in . It's ok to fail as long as
you're trying. You try and you learn

- --- - "a!y ""iIem oIo
Moody participates in a UCAR press conference. His commitment to
solving issues of race has made Moody a popular presence at the V.

and you pass it on to others." He
told them education is not just in the
classroom. " I also want to learn
from you. I need you to help me stay
on track."
6:00 Open Discussion About
Racism
It is late in the afternoon, but Dr.
Moody day continues with an open
discussion about how the University
should deal with those who commit
racist attacks. It's been a typical day
for him.
At the beginning of the semester
Dr. Moody speaks at on average
three functions a week besides main-
taining his appointment schedule.
Often his weekends are interrupted
by groups who want "just fifteen
minutes" of his time. He is in a
highly visible position and recruits
minority students to a University
that is known for its numerous inci-

dents of racism. Why? "My number
one chief concern is that minority
students expand their horizons."
And when the critics rant and rave
about what he isn't doing: "I look
and see if I've given it my best shot.
Then there's no more 1 can do. "
Friday, April 14
9:00 - 10:00 Interview candidate
Directorship of OMA
And his day begins again.
(Editors note: All quotes in italics
are Dr. Moody's. Some of the
quotes are not from the day Davis
spent with Moody, but rather are
taken from previous encounters and
interviews.) U
UM News in
Te Daily
764-0552

1ir

DON'T LET YOUR
COLLEGE DAYS
GO BY TOO
FAST

As an auministrator, one would think ur. ivioody only says gooa inings
about the University community and never question its image during
interviews. He once told an audience, however, that people must "stop
believing our own press releases about how liberal we are. Ann Arbor is
the most conservative town in the world."





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