May 12, 2004 == MEDIA ADVISORY
When local college and university presidents pledged two years ago to work
together to overcome racism and foster reconciliation on their campuses, and in
West Michigan, they knew challenges to their pledge would arise.
But they were determined to face those challenges head-on.
That's why they are hosting, on May 24 at Calvin College, a panel discussion
on affirmative action.
The presidents of Aquinas, Calvin, Cornerstone, Davenport, Grand Rapids
Community College, Grand Valley and Reformed Bible College have joined with
colleagues at Hope, Ferris State and Western Michigan University, as well as
Cooley Law School, now that it has a Grand Rapids campus, to organize the
upcoming event.
They say it will provide a balanced look at a critical issue for their schools
and for Michigan voters.
The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative has proposed amending the state
constitution to prohibit the University of Michigan and other state
universities, as well as the state and all other state entities, from
discriminating or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color,
ethnicity or national origin.
So, to be addressed at the May 24 panel dicsussion will be such thorny
questions as:
*Why is affirmative action such a huge issue in Michigan and nationally right
now?
*What is the meaning of the current affirmative action proposition?
*How will this proposition affect me, my family, and my community?
*How can I get fair and accurate information from both sides of this issue?
The event will feature panelists from both sides: the Michigan Civil Rights
Initiative (which is sponsoring the current proposal to ban affirmative action
in Michigan through a constitutional amendment) and both Citizens for A United
Michigan and By Any Means Necessary (BAMN), both of which are opposed to the
proposition.
The event will take place on May 24 from 9:45 am to 11:45 am at the Fine Arts
Center at Calvin and is free and open to the public.
Contact: Goldie Adele, Thomas Cooley Law School at 517-371-5140, x2818, or
Mike Zhang, Davenport University at 616-732-1180
-end-
Received on Tue May 11 16:55:19 2004
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