Diversity Matters: Statements & Findings
Senate Assembly Resolution on Diversity
[Approved by Senate Assembly on January 22, 2007.]
[Proposed by the Committee for a Multicultural University and endorsed unanimously by SACUA]
Whereas the University of Michigan is among the leaders in global research, education and service, with numerous educational and service agreements and tens of thousands of graduates beyond the United States;
Whereas the University of Michigan has achieved a nationally recognized stature as defender of the value of diversity in higher education;
Whereas the University of Michigan Senate Assembly believes that the goals of an institution of higher learning should be to generate new knowledge, to convey knowledge to others, and involve its faculty, students, and staff in using this knowledge to address contemporary social problems. Further, for the University to excel in reaching these goals, the rich diversity of contemporary society must be viewed as a resource that needs to be tapped. Not only does the education of students from diverse backgrounds itself address societal problems, but collaborative efforts within the University among persons with diverse experiences and viewpoints can facilitate the development of new ideas in traditional areas of our intellectual enterprise and help us formulate creative solutions to societal problems. Civility in discourse and the generation of mutual empathy among diverse parties are crucial to the effectiveness of this process;
Whereas in order for the University to retain its leadership role within the educational community, it must continue and expand upon its efforts to reach out and include all who comprise our diverse society in order to engage effectively its students, faculty, and staff with the major societal problems of the present and future;
Whereas for diversity to be maintained at the University of Michigan, strong faculty support is required;
Be it resolved that:
The Senate Assembly reaffirms its commitment to the value of diversity and urges that all members of the University -- faculty, students, staff, and administration -- work together to develop new approaches to maintain diversity as a critical component of student education, research and service at the University of Michigan.
Note: This document can be found on the SACUA website in .pdf format.
The following are previous Senate Assembly statements on diversity:
Senate Assembly Statement: The Value of Diversity
January 26, 1998
The University of Michigan Senate Assembly, the elected governing body of the faculty, believes that the goals of an institution of higher learning should be to generate new knowledge, to convey knowledge to others, and to involve its faculty, students, and staff in using this knowledge to address contemporary social problems. For the University to excel in reaching these goals, the rich diversity of contemporary society is a resource that needs to be tapped. Not only does the education of students from diverse backgrounds itself address societal problems, but collaborative efforts within the University among persons with diverse experiences and points of view can facilitate the development of new ideas in traditional areas of our intellectual enterprise and help us to formulate creative solutions to societal problems. Civility in discourse and the generation of mutual empathy among diverse parties are crucial to the effectiveness of this process.
Our commitment to diversity means at the most basic level a willingness both to recognize the value of disparate experiences and visions and to weave them into the fabric of our institution. Because of this, we are committed to a policy of recruiting and maintaining a culturally and racially diverse student body and faculty that are representative of contemporary society, and to assuring that these diverse influences are respected and incorporated into the structure of the university. In this way, we can provide students with the unique educational experience and intellectual stimulation that can only come from interacting with and learning to respect a broad range of people with differing backgrounds, life experiences, beliefs, and ideas.
In order for the university to retain its leadership role within the educational community, it must continue and expand upon these efforts to reach out and include all who comprise our diverse society in order to engage effectively its students, faculty, and staff with the major societal problems of the present and future. It is only through such a commitment that the University of Michigan can positively and effectively influence the future of American education and the world of the twenty-first century.
http://umich.edu/~sacua/SenAssb/value2.html
Senate Assembly Resolution:
Senate Assembly Resolution in Support of Diversity
Adopted by the Senate Assembly on October 27, 1997
"Be it resolved that: The University of Michigan Senate Assembly, in harmony with its prior statement of 20 May 1996, endorses the following statement by University President Lee C. Bollinger who, speaking on behalf of the students, faculty and staff of the University of Michigan, said:
'Our mission and core expertise is to create the best educational environment we can. We do this in part through a diverse faculty and student body.'
The Senate Assembly commends the Office of Admissions and the University Administration for their dedication to seeking a diverse student body, faculty, and staff at the University of Michigan, and fully supports their continuing to do so."
http://umich.edu/~sacua/SenAssb/diversity.html
Senate Assembly Statement on Diversity
Adopted by the Senate Assembly on May 20, 1996
Senate Assembly believes that the University must be open to, and provide a supportive environment for, all qualified persons without regard to characteristics such as age, color, creed, cultural background, gender, national origin, physical disability, race, religious affiliation or sexual orientation. Senate Assembly urges the faculty of the University of Michigan to commit themselves to removing the barriers that traditionally have been encountered by individuals from underrepresented groups, to accepting such individuals as full and respected members of the academic community, and to enabling them to progress, thrive and succeed in their profession. Thus Senate Assembly invites all to join enthusiastically with it in this effort.