University of Michigan promises to 'take action' and improve racial diversity on the Ann Arbor campus
/University of Michigan is promising a renewed focus on diversity.
Black enrollment at the Ann Arbor college has dropped by a third in the past seven years and, last month, hundreds of black students took to twitter and rallied against feeling marginalized and alone on campus. Events on campus in the fall, including a planned fraternity party with racist undertones, intensified those feelings.
The Being Black at Michigan hashtag, #BBUM, was the most trending topic on social media for a time in December. The message from students was clear: They want more diversity and inclusion on campus.
"I was chastened by the comments from the students," U-M President Mary Sue Coleman said in a recent editorial board interview "Our numbers are not where we'd like them to be."
Last week U-M Provost Martha Pollack acknowledged the need to reassess how U-M promotes diversity.
