Members of the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint communities will have a chance to address university regents at two public forums the board will host this fall.
The two events come amid each campus’ efforts to develop a strategic plan.
“These events will offer a unique opportunity for my colleagues and I to hear from members of these communities about what matters most to them at a time when each campus is working through an important strategic planning process,” Board of Regents Chair Ron Weiser said during a Sept. 19 board meeting.
“These institutions are critical components of not only our mission at the University of Michigan, but also the public higher education landscape here in the state of Michigan.”
The board will host the first hourlong forum at 11:15 a.m. Oct. 17 in the UM-Flint Theatre, 327 E. Kearsley St.
The second event will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 28 in Quad E of the Fairlane Center’s north building, 19000 Hubbard Drive, at UM-Dearborn.
To ensure the sessions are productive as possible, regents will ask community members to address one of three questions that are pertinent to each campus. Regents will share the questions at the start of each session.
All members of the UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint communities are encouraged to attend.
“It’s vitally important that we as regents are attuned to these communities’ concerns and welcoming of their ideas,” Weiser said. “With new leadership on each campus, now is a great time to host these events.”
UM-Flint Chancellor Debasish Dutta started his tenure in August, while the appointment of UM-Dearborn Chancellor Domenico Grasso began a year before.
As part of a strategic planning process at UM-Dearborn and UM-Flint, campus leaders are working broadly with their university communities to develop priorities for advancing each institution.
In July, President Mark Schlissel announced he would designate funds to “help jumpstart the strategic priorities identified by the chancellors and their campus communities.”
Clarence Wheeler
There need to be greater opportunities for non traditional student to get grants or scholarships to continue their goal of finishing school. Most of the student government are younger students there is no one representing the older students. U of Michigan – Flint should get some type of funding from Ann Arbor to aid in making the journey of graduating from here a better rewarding experience.