Connerly served on the University of California's Board of Regents when it voted to end its use of affirmative action in its admissions processes in 1996 and currently chairs the California Civil Rights Initiative. Members of Students for America, the campus organization sponsoring Ward's visit, said they hope his visit will give the University an opportunity to hear some dissenting views on affirmative action. This past fall, the Center for Individual Rights filed lawsuits against the College of Literature, Science and the Arts and the Law School targeting their use of race as a factor in their admissions processes. Lester Monts, associate provost for academic and multicultural affairs, said he is unsure of the reception Connerly will receive on campus.
Free speech is a hallmark of our democracy.
However, he should know that his opinion may not be well-received at the University of Michigan. In preparation for Ward's visit, campus organizations that support the University's affirmative action policies have been solidifying plans to stage a protest before the event. BAMN member and LSA senior Jessica Curtin said supporters of affirmative action should take Connerly's visit very seriously. We want to make it crystal clear that Ward Connerly does not speak for us. He does not represent our campus, and he does not speak for blacks, women or minorities.