Three of six candidates for two seats on the Board of Regents outlined ways they would serve the University of Michigan community if elected, during a candidate forum Oct. 22.
Democrat Shauna Ryder Diggs and Republicans Carl Meyers and Sevag Vartanian took part in the forum that drew about 50 people to the Michigan Theater Screening Room. The event, which was coordinated by the Faculty Senate Office, also was livestreamed.
Democrat Denise Ilitch, Libertarian Andrew Chadderdon, and Donna Oetman of the U.S. Taxpayers Party also are 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 in LSA, and research professor in the Center for Political Solutions, read to each candidate three questions submitted by the Senate Assembly.
The first centered on recent changes made to the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities and the adoption of a Regents’ Bylaw on institutional neutrality. Candidates were asked to consider the board’s role in writing university policy, and how would they ensure the voice of elected faculty governance is informing policy within the campus community.
Meyers said he consulted the Michigan Constitution to determine what a regent’s role is and found a broad charge of general supervision of the institution and control and direct expenditures.
“There were some policy changes this summer, namely with the student handbook and the rights to protest, it could have been done better and done in an open forum, and should have had input from all the major stakeholders at the university,” he said. “That’s a pretty broad statement, but it really reflects also what my governance style is. My governance style is open and transparent.”
As a physician who listens to patients, examines data and works to find a solution, Diggs said she would bring that approach to the board.
“It involves all stakeholders, it’s data-driven and it’s more of a consensus-building style. But at a university, our job isn’t always to build consensus,” Diggs said.
“We’re a very diverse place with three campuses and medical centers across the state, but we do have a responsibility as an educational space to listen to everyone, to engage stakeholders to talk about issues, to enlist experts — of which we have many on this campus who know and have real knowledge and do research on the topics at hand — and decide as a group what we’re going to do moving forward.”
Vartanian said he believed the manner in which the SSRR changes were made did not provide time for input from faculty and students, and changes that allow the university to become a “complainant, judge, jury seems extremely heavy-handed to me.” He also questioned why the institutional neutrality bylaw was proposed now, given that it is based on the Kalven Report, which was released in 1967.
“I think the policy is a means by which the university can avoid having meaningful discussions about uncomfortable topics,” he said. “I am a strong proponent of free speech, and I look at universities as a place where vigorous debate should be had in the open square.”
With regard to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and improving economic access to U-M, and how regents can ensure the university continues to prioritize the goals associated with DEI, the candidates agreed more work is needed in this space.
“The first thing is commitment, commitment to the concept, and I would say 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 that meet a family income and asset threshold, and which launched during her term as regent from 2013-20.
Meyers applauded the GBG, and the expansions it has undergone since, but said it “needs to be expanded dramatically.”
“Diversity can be achieved, but I believe it has to be organic and it has to be embraced, and we have to be open to the possibility there are other ways of doing things,” he said. “One of the things that has not been receptive here is diversity of thought.”
Meyers called his approach to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion “APR” — action, partner and recruit.
Vartanian said The Detroit News recently published an article he wrote about diversity, equity and inclusion.
“If you’re not including people in the process, how are they going to buy into the solution. We don’t want to have heavy-handed approaches,” he said. “Equity is earned. I stand for equality of opportunity.”
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 this was a major issue.
“We are against antisemitism, we don’t care for Islamaphobia, we don’t care for prejudice or racism of any kind on our campuses,” Vartanian said. “I think we have an opportunity to make a bold statement here, and let’s see what our leadership does.”
“The leadership, the president, the board has to have the most firm stance against Islamaphobia, racism, antisemitism, sexism,” Diggs said. “We just cannot have any wavering about the fact that personal attacks, violence, attacks based on things that are identity alone make no sense and will not be tolerated on campus.”
“I have a zero tolerance for hate of all kinds, Islamaphobia, antisemitism, sexual, political, it’s just not right, and I think it’s once again an opportunity,” Meyers said. “At U-M, we have to face a problem that we have: We have a crisis of trust, and we don’t talk to each other enough.”
