Three candidates for regent present their arguments at the candidate forum

Three of six candidates for two seats on the Board of Regents explained how they would serve the University of Michigan community if elected during an Oct. 22 candidate forum.

Democrat Shauna Ryder Diggs and Republicans Carl Meyers and Sevag Vartanian attended the forum, which drew about 50 people to the Michigan Theater Screening Room. The event, coordinated by the Faculty Senate Office, was also livestreamed.

Democrat Denise Ilitch, Libertarian Andrew Chadderdon and Donna Oetman of the US Taxpayers Party are also running in the Nov. 5 election but did not attend the forum.

Moderator Pauline Jones, Edie N. Goldenberg Endowed Director of the Michigan in Washington Programs, professor of political science at LSA and research professor at the Center for Political Solutions, read three questions submitted by the Senate caucus to each candidate.

The first focus was on recent changes to the Declaration of Student Rights and Responsibilities and the adoption of a Regents Charter on Institutional Neutrality. Candidates were asked to consider the board’s role in formulating university policy and to consider how they might ensure that the voice of elected faculty leadership influences policy within the campus community.

Meyers said he consulted the Michigan Constitution to determine a regent’s role and found a broad mandate for general oversight of the institution as well as control and direct spending.

“There have been some policy changes this summer, particularly with the student handbook and protest rights. “This could have been done better and done in an open forum and should have taken input from all key stakeholders in the university,” he said. “That’s a pretty broad statement, but it really reflects my leadership style. My leadership style is open and transparent.”

As a doctor who listens to patients, examines data and works toward a solution, Diggs said she will bring that approach to the board.

“It’s inclusive, data-driven and more of a consensus-building style. But at a university, our job is not always to build consensus,” Diggs said.

“We are a very diverse place with three campuses and medical centers across the state, but we have a responsibility as an educational space to listen to everyone, engage stakeholders to talk about issues, and engage experts – of which we have many. “on this campus who are knowledgeable and have real knowledge and research the topics at hand – and decide as a group what we will do in the future.”

Vartanian said he believes the way the SSRR changes were made left no time for faculty and student input, and changes that allow the university “to have one complainant, one judge and one jury seem extremely stubborn to me.” He also asked why the law on institutional neutrality was proposed now, since it is based on the Kalven report, published in 1967.

“I think the policy is a means by which the university can avoid meaningful discussions about uncomfortable topics,” he said. “I am a strong supporter of free expression and view universities as a place where lively debates should take place in the open.”

When it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and improving economic access at UM, as well as how regents can ensure the university continues to prioritize DEI-related goals, the candidates agreed there is more to be done in this area work is required.

“The first is commitment, commitment to the concept, and I would say that most regents understand and agree with the general concept (of DEI),” Diggs said. “The second thing is the budget.”

Diggs pointed to the Go Blue Guarantee, a free tuition program for certain Michigan families who meet family income and wealth limits that was implemented during her term as regent from 2013 to 2020.

Meyers praised the GBG and the expansions made since then, but said it “needs to be expanded dramatically.”

“Diversity can be achieved, but I believe it has to be organic and embraced, and we have to be open to the possibility that there are other ways of doing things,” he said. “One of the things that hasn’t been receptive here is the diversity of thought.”

Meyers called his approach to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion “APR” – Action, Partner and Recruitment.

Vartanian said the Detroit News recently published an article he wrote about diversity, equity and inclusion.

“If you don’t involve people in the process, how will they accept the solution? We don’t want heavy-handed approaches,” he said. “Equity is earned. I stand for equal opportunities.”

When asked what a regent can do to “ensure that all members of the university community, including Arab and Muslim students, staff and faculty, are protected on campus,” the candidates agreed that this is an important issue.

“We are against anti-Semitism, we don’t care about Islamophobia, we don’t care about prejudice or racism of any kind on our campus,” Vartanian said. “I think we have an opportunity here to make a bold statement and let’s see what our leadership does.”

“The leadership, the president and the board must take the strongest stance against Islamophobia, racism, anti-Semitism and sexism,” Diggs said. “We simply cannot ignore the fact that personal attacks, violence and attacks based solely on identity issues make no sense and will not be tolerated on campus.”

“I have zero tolerance for hate of all kinds, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, sexual and political hatred, it’s just not right and I think it’s an opportunity again,” Meyers said. “The problem we face at UM is that we have a crisis of trust and we don’t talk to each other enough.”

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