President Santa J. Ono said he supports an unarmed, non-police emergency response program that serves the university community.
Ono’s statement of support came during remarks at the Sept. 21 Board of Regents meeting.
His statement is tied to the recent settlement of a three-year contract with the Graduate Employees’ Organization, the union that represents graduate student instructors and graduate student staff assistants across all three U-M campuses.
“In connection with our agreement with GEO, I want to state my support for an unarmed, non-police emergency response program that is available to members of the university community,” the president said.
“Our next steps will be informed by established and emerging national best practices, including those in higher education, municipalities and a similar program that the city of Ann Arbor is putting into place.”
Ono said he would update the community regarding next steps later in the fall semester.
“I’m also pleased for our community that the GEO negotiations have concluded. I hope it is a sign that we are always pleased to negotiate in good faith, and we will always persist in finding solutions.”
