Big Victories and a Big Loss in Michigan
| By RyanWerder - Nov 8th, 2006 at 6:18 pm EST |
| Also listed in: Campus Publications | Campus Progress Blog |
Today is a day of bipolar emotions for Michigan progressives. The good news is of the variety that is evident all over CNN's souped-up election ticker: Gov. Granholm won reelection after defeating her opponent who dropped $35 million of his own money on the race. Also, Senator Debbie Stabenow ran away with victory over her opponent early on in the night. These are two wonderful women who have done - and will continue to do - great things for this state.
In far more somber, and possibly even more impactful news, Prop 2 - the "michigan civil rights initiative" which would ban affirmative action - passed with 58% of the vote last night. As Madhu explains in her article posted last week, the effects of this proposition are absolutely devastating.
But today, I was reminded why it's great to be a Michigan Wolverine...
This University, led by President Mary Sue Coleman and the unified front of every dean and our general counsel, is stepping up to this ignorant barrier to diversity and have vowed to do everything and anything to ensure that the University of Michigan remains a welcoming university to all.
Today on the Diag (Michigan's large brick plaza in the center of campus) Mary Sue spoke to a crowd of thousands of students, faculty, and staff to highlight the University of Michigan's completely united devotion to fighting the effects of prop 2.
Her speech was exactly what this campus needed (the text is here and is an absolute must-read). It was a rally call to everyone to hold up our heads and start fighting even harder. In four years at this school, I've never seen the Diag so packed. I've also never been prouder of this campus community. Though the rest of Michigan may have said yes on 2, the student body here voted 76% against it.
For the past decade this University has been America's battle ground over affirmative action. Today, more so than ever before, that battle will continue.
(Cross-posted at www.michiganindependent.com)
In far more somber, and possibly even more impactful news, Prop 2 - the "michigan civil rights initiative" which would ban affirmative action - passed with 58% of the vote last night. As Madhu explains in her article posted last week, the effects of this proposition are absolutely devastating.
But today, I was reminded why it's great to be a Michigan Wolverine...
This University, led by President Mary Sue Coleman and the unified front of every dean and our general counsel, is stepping up to this ignorant barrier to diversity and have vowed to do everything and anything to ensure that the University of Michigan remains a welcoming university to all.
Today on the Diag (Michigan's large brick plaza in the center of campus) Mary Sue spoke to a crowd of thousands of students, faculty, and staff to highlight the University of Michigan's completely united devotion to fighting the effects of prop 2.
Her speech was exactly what this campus needed (the text is here and is an absolute must-read). It was a rally call to everyone to hold up our heads and start fighting even harder. In four years at this school, I've never seen the Diag so packed. I've also never been prouder of this campus community. Though the rest of Michigan may have said yes on 2, the student body here voted 76% against it.
For the past decade this University has been America's battle ground over affirmative action. Today, more so than ever before, that battle will continue.
(Cross-posted at www.michiganindependent.com)
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I just hope that the administration at Michigan and Michigan state businesses, foundations, and other schools are working as hard to find a way around the passing of the MCRI. Though Mary Sue's speech did seem optimistic, it was vague and I'm hoping it's just because the legal team hadn't finished its job yet. I'm hoping in the next couple of days, they figure out ways to keep programs in place: everything from the MultiEthnic Student Affairs office to the Women in Science and Engineering program.
Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping you all hold it down and rep the rest of us who can't be there to support you all (we're there in spirit, fists pumped and all).