The University Record, October 16, 2000

MSA offers Affirmative Action 102

From the Michigan Student Assembly

The Peace and Justice Commission of the Michigan Student Assembly (MSA) has created an educational series that began Oct. 15 related to the admissions lawsuits against the University, one involving LS&A and the other the Law School.

The programs are intended “to provide the University community with the background information necessary to appreciate the critical importance of the trials,” sponsors say. Researchers, scholars and activists from around the country will discuss the scientific, legal, political and social issues in the lawsuits and the debate on affirmative action.

Oral argument on summary judgment motions in the LS&A case will be held Nov. 21. There is no currently scheduled trial date. The trial date for the Law School case is Jan. 15. Filing of motions was due Oct. 15.

Scheduled events include:

  • Racial and Gender Bias, The Social Construction of Race and the Fallacy of Standardized Tests, 3–5 p.m. Oct. 16, Schorling Auditorium, School of Education.

  • Why We Choose to Stand and Fight, 7 p.m. Oct. 16, Room 1640, Chemistry Building.

  • Student Mothers: Fighting for Educational Access and Opportunity, 11 a.m.–noon Oct. 17, Room 2105D, Michigan Union.

  • Educational Benefits of Diversity: The Research Case, 2–3:30 p.m. Oct. 17, Room D1270, Business School.

  • Education and Affirmative Action, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17, Mendelssohn Theatre.

  • The Myth of Meritocracy and the Necessity of Affirmative Action, 8 p.m. Oct. 18, Auditorium B, Angell Hall.

  • Black Political Legal Defense, 10–11 a.m. Oct. 19, Room 100, Hutchins Hall, Law School.

  • Rally and March, noon, Oct. 19, Diag.

  • BAMN Mass Meeting and Conference, 2:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Auditorium A, Angell Hall.

  • Asian Pacific Americans and Affirmative Action, 5 p.m. Oct. 19, Room 100, Hutchins Hall, Law Quad.

  • A Space of Our Own: Scholarship and Activism about Women, 4 p.m. Oct. 20, Rackham Auditorium.

  • The Civil Rights Movement, Then and Now, 1 p.m. Oct. 21, Anderson Room D, Michigan Union.

  • Doing Well, Doing Good: Michigan’s Minority Lawyers and the Myths of the Anti-affirmative Action Movement, 2 p.m., Hussey Room, Michigan League.

  • The Impact of Affirmative Action on Native Americans, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Anderson Room D, Michigan Union.

  • Debate: Affirmative Action, Pro and Con, 8 p.m. Oct. 25, Michigan League Ballroom.

    In addition to MSA and its Peace and Justice Commission, the following have endorsed the program series: Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action by Any Means Necessary (BAMN); International Union, UAW President Stephen P. Yokich; United for Equality and Affirmative Action; Single Mothers in School; Women in Science and Engineering Program; Michigan Community Scholars Program; Women Law Students Association; VOICE; Center for Afroamerican and African Studies; Institute for Research on Women and Gender; Office of Academic and Multicultural Initiatives; ABSCME locals 312 and 1583; United Auto Workers Local 6000; Law Students for Affirmative Action; Dialogues on Diversity; Law School; Program in Intergroup Relations; Black Law Students Alliance; and Latino Law Students Association.