These will be my guiding principles as a University of Michigan Regent
Put Michigan Kids First
Did you know that half of the students at U-M are not from Michigan? [Source] Over $500 million of our tax dollars each year support the university and our students should reap the benefits of that. I want to see at least 2/3 of undergraduates be from Michigan, and at least 50% of graduate students. Other “elite” public universities manage to stay true to their home state; UNC Chapel Hill is 85% in-state, Univ. of Texas at Austin is 80%, Univ. of Florida 75%, and Cal-Berkeley 67%. For reference, Michigan State enrolls 78% in-state students.
Improve Affordability
The cost of a college education continues to grow and is out of reach for so many. The Regents need to enforce a culture that constrains costs so that tuition increases are kept as low as possible. The “Go Blue Guarantee” needs to be expanded with higher income thresholds, and home equity needs to be removed from the assets formula.
Protect Free Speech & Free Expression
Universities should be one place where everyone can feel free and secure to express themselves authentically. This means protecting free speech but not speech that incites violence or is used to intimidate. I want our students and faculty to engage in rigorous debate on the pressing issues of our time, but done in a respectful way. No one should feel that their life, property, or academic standing is in jeopardy because of what they believe or how they feel.
Address the Housing Issue
U-M is struggling to house all of their students in either campus-owned housing or off-campus. The school needs to explore all options to bring these costs down. Capping tuition growth is important, but so is driving down room and board costs.
Protect Women’s Sports
While I support everyone feeling free to express themselves how they want (see free expression above), I do believe that individuals who went through adolescence as a male should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports. I support the University’s current policy on this subject.