Civil rights activist Reverend Al
Sharpton called on the University
of Michigan to release a report on
the number of African Americans
involved in the management of
the school’s endowment in a letter
to
University
President
Mark
Schlissel and Chief Investment
Officer Erik Lundberg last month.
Sharpton, writing on behalf
of his organization, the National
Action
Network,
requested
diversity data both on University
staff managing the endowment
and
leadership
of
the
asset
management firms the University
works with.
Citing
numerous
studies
that show women and people
of color are underrepresented
in
asset
management
despite
performing at the same level as
their peers, Sharpton argued that
increasing diversity is not just a
matter of moral responsibility,
but
“a
question
of
fiduciary
responsibility.”
“If a trustees’ responsibility
is to maximize returns, why are
elite institutions using women
and people of color at palpably low
rates?” Sharpton wrote.
Robert Sellers, vice provost for
equity and inclusion and chief
diversity officer at the University,
responded to Sharpton’s letter
by reaffirming the University’s
commitment to diversity, equity
and inclusion.
“The University is currently in
the midst of a planning process
where every school, college and
campus unit created a diversity,
equity, and inclusion strategic
plan addressing its unique local
needs and opportunities,” wrote
Sellers.
Sharpton
cited
a
December
University of California report on its
diverse investment strategy as a model
for the University and institutions
across the country. The report detailed
the UC Investment Office’s workforce
diversity trends by racial and gender
makeup, the number of minority- and
women-owned investment partners
and a qualitative survey of diversity
and inclusion approaches at 15 of its
largest investment partner firms.
Instead of leaving Ann Arbor
to go home, Nursing junior Rachel
Quigley still works as a nurse’s
aide at the University of Michigan
Hospital to fill the growing need
for health professionals during the
coronavirus pandemic. She said,
in light of her lung condition, it’s
reassuring to see the hospital taking
extra precautions to keep their staff
on campus safe.
“I love my job and the experience
especially right now, it’s interesting
to see how the hospital is handling
the
situation,
and
what
my
future workplace may look like if
something like this were to ever
happen again,” Quigley said. “I’m
kind of worried about getting the
virus but I trust the PPE (personal
protective equipment). I have a
lung condition so I can’t work with
COVID patients, and they’re taking
extra precautions in making sure
everyone is safe.”
Quigley
said
campus
looks
vacant as people seem to be social
distancing properly to help curb the
pandemic.
“The campus looks very empty
and bare, it’s really sad,” Quigley
said. “If you walk into the Diag or
near the other buildings on campus,
it just feels kind of wrong … I’m
glad though to see people social
distancing. I’ll see when people are
talking from different houses or
groups, they are far apart. It looks
like people are actually taking
it seriously. And if people are
partying, it looks like it’s just their
housemates in their front yards.”
michigandaily.com
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
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‘Campus is pretty dead’: Students who stayed
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As virus spreads, once
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INDEX
Vol. CXXIX, No. 106
©2020 The Michigan Daily
N E W S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 A
S TAT E M E N T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 B
O P I N I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 A
A R T S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 A
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ANN ARBOR
Candidates for Wards 4 and 5 of the
Ann Arbor City Council participated
in an online forum via BlueJeans
Tuesday
afternoon.
During
the
event, students enrolled in Public
Policy 456/756 at the University of
Michigan asked candidates questions
about affordable housing, carbon
neutrality
and
the
coronavirus
pandemic.
Jack Eaton, D-Ward 4, is running
for re-election.
City Council hopefuls debate
local issues at digital event
Letter calls for diversity in management
Rev. Al Sharpton asks ‘U’ to disclose demographics of team overseeing $12.4 billion endowment
ILLUSTRATION BY MAGGIE WIEBE
Candidates
participate in
virtual forum
SAINI KETHIREDDY
Daily Staff Reporter
BARBARA COLLINS &
BRAYDEN HIRSCH
Daily News Editor &
Daily Staff Reporter
CALDER LEWIS
Daily Staff Reporter
DESIGN BY CHRISTINE JEGARL
See FORUM, Page 3A
See LETTER, Page 3A
statement
See CAMPUS, Page 2A