SPP Brochure 8-04 - Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy ...

From the PresidentWelcome to the University of Michigan,one of our country’s great public universities.One of the many reasons Iam thrilled to be part of this university communityis because of its long-standing commitment todiversity. I firmly believe that we can learn some oflife’s most important lessons from each other. Themore varied the perspectives represented, the richerour education. Our differences—whether theybe the academic questions that engage us, age, economicbackground, gender, or race, to name just afew—bring a buoyancy to our campus communityand help create the intellectual vitality that makesMichigan internationally renowned.Since its founding more than one hundred andeighty years ago, the University has aspired to providean outstanding education to a diverse studentpopulation. Former President James B. Angell,in his 1879 commencement address, said, “Goodlearning is always catholic and generous. . . .It frowns on caste and bigotry. It spurns the artificialdistinctions of conventional society. It greets allcomers whose intellectual gifts entitle them toadmission to the goodly fellowship of cultivatedminds. It is essentially democratic in the best senseof that term.”Several years ago, Michigan’s faculty, through theUniversity Senate, reaffirmed its commitment “torecruiting and maintaining a culturally and raciallydiverse student body and faculty that are representativeof contemporary society, and to assuring thatthese diverse influences are respected and incorporatedinto the structure of the University.”I am proud to belong to an academic communitythat historically has embraced diversity and is ascommitted today to this ideal as it was during thedays of President Angell. I invite you to join me insupporting Michigan’s ongoing efforts to promotean appreciation of and openness to the viewpointsand contributions of others.Sincerely,Mary Sue ColemanPresident, University of MichiganF ORD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY