Page 14-The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition - Thursday, September 6, 1990 Minority faculty numbers increase... slowly by Megan McKenna Daily Staff Writer "Our country is rapidly becoming more ethnically and racially pluralis- tic, and the University must reflect this change," said University Presi- dent James Duderstadt. For years, students have been pressuring the University to increase minority representation on campus, an important part of which includes the presence of minority faculty. Dr. John Matlock, director of minority affairs, emphasizes the im- portance of minority faculty on the campus environment. "Having more faculty makes a difference because it provides a better campus climate for minority students," he said. Since 1970, minority groups on campus have been demanding the University increase the percentage of minority faculty on campus. That year, members of the Black Action Movement (BAM) organized a week long strike and presented the Univer- sity with a list of demands including increased minority student enroll- ment and minority faculty hiring. - Minority representation improved 'sightly as a result of the student Protest. By 1977, 7.1% of the Uni- vcrsity faculty were minorities. Ten years later in 1987, the percentage of mninority faculty increased more than one percentage point, to 8.8% of the total faculty. In 1987, members of student or- ganizations such as the United Coalition Against Racism (UCAR) and BAM organized a sit-in at the Fleming Building and reinstated their demands which they felt had not been properly met. As of Fall 1989, minority faculty had increased to 9.7% of the total faculty. Dr. Matlock said the situa- tion will improve with constant "pressure by students, the commu- nity and all those who work at the University. There's nothing wrong with student protests. We must keep the pressure up." Matlock cites the lack of signifi- cant improvement in minority fac- ulty representation as a slacking off in pressure. "Somehow the com- mitment got put on the back burner." In the Fall of 1989, President Duderstadt issued the Michigan Mandate in an attempt to remove all institutional barriers to education for people of all races, creeds, ethnic groups, and national origins, with- out regard to gender, age, or orienta- tion. It was intended as a new direc- tion for the University to improve conditions for minorities on campus. Some students feel that more should be done to improve the situa- tion. UCAR member Latrice Dixon said "the Mandate is reactionary and only puts a nice face on things. I'd like to see concrete changes." Unusual demands may be placed on the minority faculty because of their relatively few numbers, Dr. Matlock said. This should be avoided in order to keep the minority faculty that we have, he said. UCAR member Tracye Matthews said that tenure granting tends to be biased and that changes should occur in this system to offer more oppor- tunities for minority faculty. Matthews also said that recruiting more minority graduate students would help increase faculty. In Fall1989, the Minority Fac- ulty Development Fund was created to provide money for research and other 1-rojects involving minority faculty. The Target Opportunity Program was developed three years ago to recruit minority faculty for positions which are not yet opened, as not to limit hiring to specific openings for which there may not be many mi- nority candidates. Dr. Matlock recognizes the chal- lenge put to the University. "We're in it for the long haul. We must continue the intensity," he said. FILE PHOTO Dr. Charles Moody (left), vice-provost for Minority Affairs and Dr. Henry Davis, original chair of the Black Action Movement, at last year's conference assessing the progress of Blacks at the University since 1970, when BAM was founded. While there have been changes, in the past 20 years, many of the problems still exist. "N SHANTIES Continued from page 12 ment of a policy that will regulate how long shanties or any form of expression can remain in public ar- eas of the University. But such regulation could in- fringe on first amendment rights. "My understanding of the United States Constitution is that people should be allowed to express them- selves," said political science gradu- ate student Jeffrey Hinte. This fall, students and administra- tors are likely to once again debate the future of the shanties. But no matter which way the future is de- cided, students know that the shanties presence has served its pur- pose. DAILY, Continued from page 10 ation draws near, you lean back from the screen, put your hands behind your head, and remember the day you walked in the door. Yes, you decide , the first step was defiantly easier than the last one will be - the one when you will walk out the door for the last time. (Ed. Note: This article was reprinted, with permission, from the 1989 version of the NSE.) mmea QUESTIONS Continued from page 7 J amm in' FILE PHOTO A student relaxes in his dorm room while pondering his musical selection. Most likely he will choose a Traffic album, John Barleycorn Must Die, or Mr. Fantasy, perhaps. boys and girls leave home and live on their own among other things they earn the right to be called men and women. You'll find most the of residence staff uses these terms. Another popular phrase is "first year student" in place of freshman. Freshman is said to be sexist as it is derived from the word man. First year student is gender neutral. While it may seem foreign at first, this progressive language is based, on important ideas and deserves to be given a chance. Q. How did Ann Arbor get it's name. A. The name Ann Arbor is a combination of two ideas. The first half is derived from the common name, Ann, of the city's founders' wives. The second half, Arbor, was added because of the luscious stands of oaks that were located on the banks Huron river in 1837 when the city was founded. Q. Can I bring a microwave into the dorm? A. While the residence halls rules prohibit you from keeping mi- crowaves and large refrigerators in your rooms, these rules are rarely, if ever, enforced. It's important to check with your roommates before carting your large appliances halfway across the country, however. While one refrigerator is a convenience, three are definitely a crowd. Q. Where do I get a loft? A. Used to raise your bed off the floor, lofts come in a variety of shapes, sizes and prices. Again, as this is America, where there is a market for a product, you can bet someone is selling it. Lofts are no diferent. Buying a used loft, no dif- ferent than a new loft in my estima- tion, will cost about $100 to $120. To build a loft of your own will cost about as much in materials, not to mention the value of your time. If you do decide to build your own loft there are always people on your hall willing to lend their hands and/or their expertise. To buy, build or bunk, the choice is yours. Q. What things should I need to remember to take to school. A. Money is good for starters.R For the first couple of days after you .r' arrive the cafeterias are closed, and unless you've always wanted to try the starvation diet, a little green can come in handy. A small fan can save you from many a sleepless night in September. If you have carpet from home, it can help spruce up your room. While there are always en- trepreneurs ready to sell you floor coverings, at their prices it often be comes a choice between having warm feet in the morning and paying your tuition bill. Q. Can I a visitor from another college stay the night in my room? A. While University rules don't allow students to let take in board- ers, friends are permitted to sleep over. Here again, while your RA is probably not going to tell your* friend to go home, your roommate is probably the one to check with. He or she may be upset if you dont clear things with them in advance. While roommates are generally happy to oblige each other, good communication is the key to making things work. '"7 Gan't touch this! .........M ichigan:. D~a iy .5 .1 .r cTHE Fife Photo;:::":::"":::".:::'a= . : . A\"n"::":: :: -A :""" :':: "."::t :.h s "::i ha nW:::':' :=:: .:.:e .. :.:.:.Y.:#.:::: .. '.Un: ivrit }{y f :....... :"J ': } .:: ?r t":":::r . :.r t M "}":Y}{ ,:c.{}:: " i""_: { "[:.. ::r}} . r......... I~e icbian Dily ~moe t~ anes:.wr!. Wi, MICHIGAN BBA A nationally recognized junior-senior program offering: The Start of School Can Bring All Sorts of Pressures... " Leaving home . Test anxiety " Family problems " Substance abuse " Peer pressure - Suicidal feelings - Relationship conflicts " Roommate troubles " Eating disorders - Competition But SupUportis Close at Hand 76-GUIDE 76-GUIDE isan anonymous, confidentialpeer counseling telephone line on campus, open throughout the academic year (September through April). So if you ever need to talk, don't hesitate to pick up the phone and call (764-8433). .'_- --. }A.4>h I 4 r v .... * a comprehensive business curriculum * the opportunity to focus on accounting, marketing, finance, human resources, or other management fields Prerequisites: * Junior standing * coursework in calculus, economics, English, and accounting hen you need to talk, we're here to-Ilisten." 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