2 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 23, 1996 4 AW -W -W v The M Duderstadt's legacy: A commitment to diversity The !)en THIS SUMMER, THE 12IN PRESIDENTIAL ADVI COMMITTEE WILL MEET ] THROUGH APPLICATIC CANDIDATES AND NARF POTENTIAL CONTENDER Mandate pushes minority enrollment up to 25% Few President James Duderstadt says that being a university president is like play- ing the role of a frontier sheriff. "You are like a sheriff in an old western movie that every morning drags himself out of bed and straps the guns on again," he said. "You've got to be the first one on the battle line." Sometimes the fights can get tough. "From time to time, you'll get wounded," Duderstadt said. Duderstadt's on-going commitment to diversity was a battle he said he fought vigorously during his presidency, often having to defend the need for programs such as the Michigan Mandate. "He came forward with the man- date when it was being publicly as- sailed from the left," said Walter Harrison, vice president for Univer- sity relations. "And now he is stick- ing to it, when it's being publicly assailed by the right." The Michigan Mandate, which in- tends to increase the presence of minor- ity students, faculty and staff on cam- pus, began in 1987 when Duderstadt was provost. "We have one of the best examples ... that diversity and excellence go hand in hand," Duderstadt said. Under Duderstadt's leadership, mi- nority student enrollment has reached the highest point ever. As a result, the number of students of color on campus is now twice the total amount of mi- nority students that were enrolled in 1986, two years before the Mandate began. Students of color now make up al- most 25 percent of all University stu- dents. The Mandate also set goals to in- crease the hiring of minority faculty on campus. Andre Hewitt, founder of the Black Volunteer Network, applauded Duderstadt's commitment to enroll- ment, but said more efforts still need to be made to retain these students and faculty. "He set some lofty goals and he chipped awayat certain pieces ofthem." Hewitt said. "But we all come back to the underlying issue. After someone is accepted, how do you retain them at the University?" Hewitt said the intergroup dialogues that began during Duderstadt's presi- dency are important for students be- cause they help "build bridges" be- tween different groups. "He has done an excellent job," Hewitt said. Harrison said the Mandate shows Duderstadt's commitment to humaniz- ing the University. "He built the campus physically," Harrison said. "But more importantly, he built its human side." Duderstadt said programs that were originally created to support minorities also have improved the opportunities for all students. He cited the 21st Cen- tury program as one initiative that fo- cused on minority students, but now has expanded to accommodate all types of students. "President Duderstadt has definitely taken the lead in making this University more diverse and multicultural. The Michigan Mandate is a very good ex- ample of that," said Johnny Su, a mem- ber of the United People's Coalition. But Su cautioned against placing too much weight on statistics. "Even though there are a lot of im- provements, there also have been areas in which some of the numbers are not indicative," he said. Duderstadt said it is essential that the programs continue after he steps down. Jeffrey Lehman Chair ® Dean of the Law School since 1994; member of the faculty since 1987 * Professor of Law and Public Policy J.D., magna cum laude University of Michigan Law School Named one of 40 "Rising{ Stars in the Law" by the National Law .Journal, Nov. 20, 1995. Nationally recognized expert on taxation and welfare law Huda Aki Professor of Psychiatry; member of University faculty since 1978 n Gardner C. Quarton professor of neurosciences Co-director and research scientist, Mental Health Research Institute Paul Courant Chair of the department of economics; professor of economics and public policy; member of the faculty since 1973 Senior staff economist with President's Council of Economic Advisers Received the Excellence in Education Award from LSA for four years At an office in the Perry Building, 12 mem- bers of the University community will work throughout the summer to find the next presi- dent. The committee intends to follow the advice and presidential job description given to them by the University Board of Regents earlier this year. As Regent Philip Power (D-Ann Arbor) told them, "We are trying and are going to pick just the right person at just the right time." The group, which was selected by the regents, will work to recruit candidates and conduct pre- Photo courtesy o News and InormationServices President James Duderstadt speaks to about 100 Detroit-area community leaders on the Michigan Mandate in 1988. "I am always concerned about sus- taining those agendas," he said. "It takes great passion and commitment." The next president may have to fight the opposition even more vigorously, with affirmative action policies being challenged throughout the country. Most recently, the University of California's board of regents voted to eliminate affirmative action programs that are based on race and gender. "You have to lead people into battle to protect the institution," Duderstadt said about his commitment to diver- sity. Leading the University to become a more diverse institution is one battle that Duderstadt said he has won. "As this University has become more diverse," he said, "it has become a bet- ter and better institution." Michgan Mandate 1987-1994 The Michigan Mandate, the University' diversity, has brought the enrollment C liminary interviews to try t suspect"that the board has indicated they want. The committee is part of the regents' plan to keep the names ofall candidates secret until the final stages of the search, scheduled for around October. Pro- vost J. Bernard Machen recommended the commit- tee members to the board. The committee consists of seven faculty members, two students, two staff members and one alum. Law School Dean Jeffrey Lehman will serve as the committee's chair. "It is with a sense of humility, responsibility and gratitude that we are undertaking this role for you," Lehman told the board in March. The advisory commit- tee will have no contact with the board until its scheduled meeting in Sep- tember or October when the committee will present the results of its search. "It is a preparatory step to the ultimate selection of the president," said Regent Shirley McFee (R-Battle Creek), a co-chair of the presidential search commit- tee. "We hope that you will conduct a vigorous search for candidates." The committee was formed with the intent of o find the "unusual Timeli o A Committee Ac Dec. 1995 - Jan. 1996 The regents, meeting a Search Committee (PS nine public forums acr also selected a search Jan. 1996 The PSC authorized the member advisory comm Feb. 1996 Provost J. Bernard Mac persons for the PSAC.I the membership. At ap PSC discussed the sea the PSAC, including a j the next president. March-Sept. 1996 The PSAC will recruit a reviews of candidates. Sept. 1996 The PSAC presents a p candidates, recommen but not eliminating any Sept.-Oct. 1996 X The PSC will then de finalists, who will be in campus in open meetin consider persons not r PSAC. * Public campus inter for finalists. R The regents meet an president complying with the choices. Members of the board have said this will help protect some candidate confidentiality. McFee defended the closed search process, say- ing it would help protect the candidates' reputa- tions at their current job. "Just because a person's name is on the list doesn't mean that they were ever considered," McFee said. "It does not mean they have any interest in pursuing it at all." But McFee also cautioned the advisory com- mittee about keeping strict confidentiality. "Leaks can occur through casual conversation or interaction with a close IvIsory friend, spouse," McFee said. : itiy LSA junior Jennifer Norris, the undergraduate is the Presidential student of the group, said C), held a series of she is working closely ss the state. They with graduate student consultant. Doneka Scott to get the opinions of students. "We have been going a creation of a 12- around to different stu- nittee (PSAC). dents and organizations," Norris said last week. Norris also said she has hen recommended been eating in all the dorms The PSC approved in order to talk to a variety public meeting, the ofstudents-notjustiden- rch process with tified student leaders. She job description of said she has already met with about 30 to 50 stu- dents. The advisory com- nd provide initial mittee has been meeting about every two weeks, she added. Norris said she is work- ublic list of ing with Scott to develop ding at least five, other means to gauge stu- 'one. dent input. She hopes to set up a table at the Michi- gan Union so they can be velop a list of accessible to many stu- terviewed on dents. The two students ngs. The PSC may might also organize an e- ecommended by the mail group so students can send them more input. views are scheduled While the committee members talk to their re- d select a spective constituencies, they also will meet in pri- vate - along with hired search consultant Malcolm MacKay - to conduct most of the legwork for the regents. MacKay, managing director of the New York- based consulting firm Russell Reynolds Inc., was hired earlier this year to help with the search. The University is paying him at least $87,000. The board has stressed repeatedly that they still have the final word on whom is elected president. "Any name at all can be considered and will be considered, by the board," said Regent Laurence Deitch (D-Bloomfield Hills). r Source: Office otthe President JOSH WHITE/Daily Duderstadt's Agenda addresses women's issues on campus In addition to implementing the Michigan Man- date, President James Duderstadt has been com- mitted to further improving the lives of women on campus. The Michigan Agenda for Women, which he unveiled in April 1994, is an attempt to reach gender equity, making women "full and equal partners at the University of Michigan." "During Jim Duderstadt's tenure, a number of actions were taken under his leadership and with his support that have benefited women on cam- pus and will continue to do so," said Carol Hollenshead, director for the Center of the Edu- cation of Women. The Agenda outlines issues that women on campus face, from safety concerns to problems of affordable daycare facilities. More specifically, under Duderstadt, the administration worked to increase lighting, make training programs on women's is- sues mandatory, and to draft a sexual harassment policy. Efforts also were made to attract - and retain - more women faculty. Currently, only one in 10 full profes- sors is a woman. More opportunities for female students also went into effect during Duderstadt's presidency, including the Women in Science and Engineering residence hall program. Duderstadt also supported equality for other mi- nority groups. He stressed gay and lesbian rights I when he defended policies that would forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation. Duderstadt stood behind the in- clusion of sexual orientation into the Regents' Bylaw 14.06, the University's non-discrimination policy. The bylaw, which was amended in September 1993, now allows same-sex couples to re- ceive the same housing, financial aid and staff insurance benefits as other members of the Uni- versity community. Duderstadt came under fire for this action from University members who disapproved of the amendment, including Regent Deane Baker (R- Ann Arbor). "It was a serious matter of equity, justice," Duderstadt said. "This is one of the areas that universities are probably ahead of society. That doesn't mean I haven't had some wounds inflicted because of it." Hollenshead said she hopes the next president will continue to fight for equality as much as Duderstadt did during his presidency. "There is always a concern in a transition of leadership about continuation of policies and pro- grams," Hollenshead said. "We are pleased to see in their job description that the regents have emphasized these areas. We trust that the next president will also be supportive of increasing race and gender equity." Mary Ann Drew * Administrative associate II, College of Architecture and Urban Planning; staff member for 10 years Assistant to the dean with the Executive Committee and the Program Chairs Nora Faires Associate professor of history at the University's Flint campus; member of the faculty since 1982 Director of the Master of Liberal Studies Program at U-M Flint Allan Gimour University alum of the Business School Member of the Business School's Development Advisory Board and former chair of the Visiting Committee Member of the President's Advisory Group Open Meetings Act while still providing some candidate confidentiality. According to state law, all regular meetings of the Board of Regents must be conducted in public. Because the committee's task is designated as "purely advisory," it is not required to meet in public. When the list of candidates is presented to the regents, all names that were considered will be made public. In addition, the committee will not eliminate candidates, but will provide a list of five unranked individuals who they consider the top