RUMSFELD STEPS DOWN
NEWS, PAGE 2A
NUMBER 51: WITH RACE IN VIRGINIA
CALLED, DEMOCRATS SNAG SENATE
NEWS, PAGE 3A
!b1e tidigan hail
Ann Arbor, Michigan
www.michigandaily.com
day, November 9, 2006
PROP 2
SNIPPETS
TmsUiest21
TimesUniversityPresident MarySue Cole
man used the word "diversity" in her address
to the campus yesterday afternoon.
26
Times Coleman paused for applause during
the speech.
2,000
Number of people on the Diag for Coleman's
speech yesterday, according to Department of
Public Safety estimates,
COHEN'S REACTION
RC Philosophy Prof. Carl Cohen, a promi-
nent supporter of Proposal 2, discussed the
passage of Proposal 2 with the Daily yesterday
Some of his thoughts:
" "I was proud of the citizens of Michigan
who, in spite of the pressure of newspapers,
and corporations and universities, and other
wealthy institutions, saw clearly that the MCRI
was no more than a statement of our national
commitment to equality of all races, all per-
sons, under the law."
" On the University's intention to fight
the ban: "That would be plainly futile, and it
would reflect badly on us."
" On the heated campaign surrounding
the proposal: "Both sides of this controversy
were fighting to realize their vision of racial
justice. This was not a battle between good
guys and bad guys."
* Read afullQ&A with Cohen on the Daily's
news blog, The Wire, at michigandaily.com/
thewire.
STUDENTS ON PROP 2
'Disheartened and disappointed as we are,
and as lam individually, we must remain vigilant
and steadfast in having difficult conversations
thatexplainwhypeople ocolor andwome are
not equal in today's society"
- Denny Chen, service chair for the United
Asian American Organization
"Stay or get involved in something that you're
passionate about already and use those organi-
zations as a venue to counteract the negative
effects of this proposal"
- Nicole Stallings, president of the Michi-
gan Student Assembly, on how to fight the ban
"I'm a little disappointed that the University
is going to pursue (fighting Proposal 2), being
that it is a big institution and that the state has
spoken."
- Gideon D'Assandro, LSA junior
THE 10-PERCENT FIX
After an appeals court in Texas banned affir-
mative action there in 1996, the state university
system adopted a simple admissions policy: Let
in any student who graduates in the top 10
percent of his or her class. Minority enrollment
there declined slightly, but not as much as in the
University of Californiasystemaftervotersthere
passeda ballot initiativesimilarto Proposal 2.
University President Mary Sue Coleman said
she wouldn't support implementing such a plan
in Michigan as a way to increase diversity with-
out considering race in admissions,
"This kind of approach would not work in
Michigan," she said. "We don't have a sort of
a demographically growing population that's
increasing in diversity."
Coleman also said she thinks such a plan is
unfair to students at top schools, where reach-
ing the top bracket would be harder than at
other schools.
YOUR AID AWARD
IS SAFE
In her address on the Diag yesterday, Uni-
versity President Mary Sue Coleman assured
University employees and students that the
passage of Proposal 2 would not put their jobs
or scholarships in jeopardy.
Scholarships that have yet to be awarded for
next year, though, will be reviewed individually,
University spokeswoman Julie Peterson said.
Nelson Acosta, director of multi-ethnic stu-
dent affairs, said he had heard some employees
express concern about losingtheir jobs.
"I think it's a natural thing to be worried,"
Acosta said. "But it will take us a couple years
to decide what MCRI means."
- Compiled by Kelly Fraser
TODAY'S HI: 64
WEATHER LO: 37
CAMPUS: Coleman
responds to Prop 2 in
historic Diag address
COURTS:'U'lawyers
prepare for battle as
BAMN files first suit
THE DAY AFTER
University President Mary Sue Coleman addresses about 2,000 people gathered on the Diag yesterday the day after Proposal 2 passed, ending affirmative action programs in Michigan.
'U' to fight
Proposal 2
in court
BAMN beats administration
to filing lawsuit to block
proposal's implementation t
By WALTER NOWINSKI
Daily StaffReporter
University President Mary Sue Coleman pledged
yesterday that the University would fight the imple-
mentation of Proposal 2 in the courts.
A defiant Coleman addressed thousands who
gathered on the Diag about the potential impact of
the constitutional amendment that will ban affirma-
tive action programs in Michigan.
The administration's immediate concern is trying
to delay the implementation of the amendment so
all of this year's applicants will be evaluated under
the same admissions guidelines. The constitutional
amendment will likely take effect in late December;
depending on the date the Secretary of State certifies
the election results. If this happens, the University TREVOR CAMPBELL/Daly
would be forced to change its admissions policies President Coleman speaks with a woman after the speech. She mingled with the crowd
See COURTS, page 7A for about 10 minutes before leaving the Diag.
Coleman:'U'
still dedicated
to diversity
President pledges to maintain
all minority affairs programs
By GABE NELSON
Daily StaffReporter
In the wake of Proposal 2's passage, University
President Mary Sue Coleman promised students
and faculty that the University will remain dedicat-
ed to diversity even if it can no longer use affirma-
tive action.
"If November 7th was the day that Proposal 2
passed, then November 8th is the day we pledge to
remain unified in our fight for diversity," said Cole-
man, standing on the steps of the Hatcher Graduate
Library.
The University needs diversity to remain a first-
rate institution, Coleman said.
"I am standing here today to tell you that I will
not allow our university to go down the path of
mediocrity," she said. "That is not Michigan."
Coleman tried to reassure a crowd campus police
estimated at about 2,000 people.
She saidstudents willcontinue toreceive theirfinan-
See COLEMAN'S ADDRESS, page 7A
Rap, rhyme
and healing
Students gather to recover
from affirmative action ban
By ALEX DZIADOSZ
Daily StaffReporter
Last night in the William Monroe Trotter"
Multicultural Center, Nelson Acosta, direc-
tor of multi-ethnic student affairs, stared
downward and smothered his hands in his
pockets.
At the front of the wide, beige hall, he
looked modest and sheepish.
"Last night I couldn't sleep," he said,
referring to his struggle with Tuesday's BEN SiMON/D
passage of Proposal 2. "I was upset, LSA senior Jillian Walker sings in front of a gathering of students who
See TROTTER HOUSE, page 3A creatively interpreted Prop 2 at Trotter House last night.
As speech picked up
steam, apathy ebbed
Students engaged in with phrases like "diversity," "this
great university is threatened"
issue - at least for and "pain and concern" - pass-
ersby were caught like fish in a net
a moment as the crowd ballooned to about
2,000.
By KARL STAMPFL Many were awed by the spec-
Managing NewsEditor tacle. Others appeared confused
---and unaware of the event's sig-
When University President nificance. Perhaps indicative of
Mary Sue Coleman began her the student body's reaction to
post-Proposal 2 speech on the Tuesday's vote to ban affirmative
steps of the Harlan Hatcher action programs, some were riv-
Graduate Library yesterday, the eted and even more seemed impa-
crowd was thin and only reached tient to get back to their everyday
to the the block 'M' in the center lives.
of the Diag. A teeter-totter with two stu-
As she spoke - her voice rising See CROWD REACTION, page 7A
GOT A NEWS TIP?
Call 734-763-2459 or e-mail
news@michgandaily.com and let us know.
ON THE WIRE NEWS BLOG:
The full text of Coleman's speech, plus Dingell on
the Dems' victory. michigandaily.com/thewire
INDEXNES...
Vol. CXV, No.45 NtWS.
0)2006 The Michigan Daily S U DO yKU..
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