Jennifer Gratz considers run for U-M Board of Regents
Anti-affirmative action activist Jennifer Gratz is considering running for a seat on the University of Michigan's Board of Regents, the Detroit News reported.
Gratz has been working across the country to push for the end of affirmative action as a factor in admission decisions at higher education institutions and in public hiring processes.
Jennifer Gratz
“I recall there being some sort of exclamation that proponents of (the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative) should have lobbied the Regents to change policy rather than pushing a constitutional amendment — that voters, nor the legislature, nor the governor, nor the constitution had any say in the matter,” Gratz told the Detroit News. “With that line of thinking, it made me think to myself — if the only way to change policy is through the board of regents, then we may want to start focusing on who makes up these governing boards.”
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
blue85
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 2:40 p.m.
In all of the discussion about Ms. Gratz and the preference given minority candidates, I seldom see a discussion of: 1) her grade point average and scores, which I believe/remember were both mediocre; 2) the number of minority students -- however defined -- with lower gpa and scores than her who were admitted (I've literally NEVER seen this figure, nor an explanation of why, if our "system" is just, minorities are represented at a level that is roughly 1/3 of their representation in the broader population); 3) a convincing argument that she would have brought anything extra to the party; 4) a convincing argument as to why anybody with a lower gpa/score would NOT bring something different to the party; 5) an explanation of why she couldn't be bothered to submit a request to join the wait list at Michigan. To sum up: 1) she wasn't a viable candidate; 2) she didn't avail herself of every opportunity to join the class by applying to the wait list; 3) given the first two points, the only convincing reason to have admitted her would have been because she was willing to take what she so vehemently seeks to deny to others: some form or privilege or preference. She wasn't accepted based on her merit and wants to use some form of due process to get what she didn't get under the system as constituted. I don't see that quest as contrary to the social contract, but it is immensely hypocritical.
arborani
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 4:27 p.m.
Applause, applause.
clownfish
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:19 p.m.
If she does not win election, who will she blame?
Jaime Magiera
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 4:10 a.m.
snow cone. chance. hell.
LXIX
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 2 a.m.
Well, in lieu of affirmative action I suppose Non-slave descendents could give up at least 40 acres of prime real estate in FLorida/A2 and a new Tesla.. How Republican is she ?
metrichead
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:45 a.m.
Her candidacy ought to be quite interesting. Usually candidates for the Board of Regents at Michigan, MSU, or Wayne State never draw this much attention. The winner is usually the beneficiary of a "Republican year" or a "Democratic year" regardless of how they campaigned because they ride in on the stronger party's coattails. If I were a betting man, I'd say (1) incumbent Governors are very hard to beat, (2) 2014 will be a difficult election for Obama to maintain enthusiasm now that he's in his sixth year, and (3) MI Democrats want to beat Snyder more than they want to elect Mark Schauer. That means, Snyder will probably win, and Gratz will win as a result of riding in on the Governor's coattails.
Basic Bob
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:21 a.m.
I always like to see the bottom 1% succeed by trying harder. That seems especially unlikely with her.
Ric
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:01 a.m.
No one in this town is ready to vote for sanity at the U of M.
Jaime Magiera
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 4:09 a.m.
JBK, they are all Democrats. They all have weed, martinis and a Liberal agenda - thank God.
David Briegel
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:43 a.m.
Or, it's entirely possible that you two are the ones smoking illegal substances!
JBK
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:15 a.m.
Ric - My thoughts too until the recent City Council elections, AND then an EPIPHANY. I woke up and thought I was in Utopia. Ann Arbor voters put down their weed, martinis and Liberal agenda and actually kept Councilman Kunselman and voted in Jack Eaton. SO it is entirely possible that the voters come to their senses one more time and vote for someone that is asking for nothing more than a fair playing field for all. I know that is a bitter pill for some to swallow, but they will get over it.
hmsp
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:01 a.m.
I'm all for her candidacy -- after all, over the last three decades, we have seen an alarming increase in middle- and lower- class wages and life opportunity. The last thing we need is for these people to get even more of a leg up on the 1%.
GoNavy
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 11:40 p.m.
Hmm, no thanks. As a member of the same cohort who managed to get into the "U" that year, I'd rather see another individual run who wasn't quite "on the margin" of admission.
YpsiGirl4Ever
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 11:35 p.m.
Oh, this will be one vote, I make sure to vote for someone else.
Michigan Man
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 11:33 p.m.
Little surprising that in Ann Arbor we would want merit, results, performance and no excuses over affirmative action and equal outcome. This woman has my vote or however many I can stuff into the ballot box!
Michigan Man
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 11:20 p.m.
Superior Township - Some in Ann Arbor just love hating on basically anything that is different, unique or innovative than the plantation thinking that they have had for decades - here is the good news - that gene pool is rather quickly disappearing.
Superior Twp voter
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 3:53 a.m.
Count on Briegel to pop in with more anti-Republican hate.
GoNavy
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:45 a.m.
In terms of "merit," try to envision the hundreds of students that year who were admitted to the University solely on merit. Ms. Gratz wasn't *quite* one of them -
David Briegel
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:42 a.m.
The only known voter fraud is TeaPublicon voter fraud!
Usual Suspect
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 11:12 p.m.
If an ambulance chaser can be a regent, anybody can. Following the insanity of allowing international trespassers to pay in-state tuition, we definitely need new voices on the Board.
GoNavy
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:46 a.m.
To their credit, they do an awful lot of advertising. After all, Sam Bernstein worked for me -
Jay Thomas
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:23 p.m.
What a dream... Get back here, Jennifer. Our current regents are fine with illegal aliens being admitted over Americans and legal applicants from other countries (and every other crazy liberal idea out there).
pseudo
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:19 p.m.
whatever
Colorado Sun
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 9:52 p.m.
Jennifer Gratz was present at the Michigan Republican Convention in Detroit in May of 2012 and delivered one of the most impassioned speeches I have ever heard denouncing the candidacy of moderate GOP leader Saul Anuzis, who was running for a seat on the epublican National Committee. Even though Anuzis had been well-known in GOP circles as a longtime chairperson and had the support of the vast majority of Republican leaders, Gratz' speech criticizing Anuzis for lack of a position on her case struck a chord with delegates and they roundly booed him when he spoke. Anuzis ended up losing in a landslide delegate vote for the committee seat to ultraconservative Dave Agema.
Superior Twp voter
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 3:56 a.m.
Count on Briegal to pop in with more anti-Republican hate.
metrichead
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 1:50 a.m.
Highly unlikely Jennifer Gratz turned the tide for Saul Anuzis. It wasn't like Anuzis had it in the bag to begin with. It was anything but. Dave Agema stood a better chance of winning because he was anti-establishment, an anti-establishment has been a big thing in Republican circles since the mid 2000s.
Jay Thomas
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:19 p.m.
That was great.
David Briegel
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:05 p.m.
And that will help to seal the fate of the "crazy party"!!
J. A. Pieper
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 9:28 p.m.
Knowing her history with our area, I wouldn't vote for her. Also don't like that she lives in florida, but has a condo here, that makes her an appropriate candidate?
Eep
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 9:43 p.m.
It probably makes her ineligible to run. She'd have to move back to Michigan with the intent of making it her permanent residence (and become a registered voter) in order to become eligible, and then she'd have to be nominated by a political party to get on the ballot.
Charley Sullivan
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:17 p.m.
Amy, what are the residency requirements to run for the Board of Regents?
Eep
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:31 p.m.
From the Michigan Election Law: "A person shall not be eligible to membership on . . . the board of regents of the university of Michigan . . . if the person is not a registered and qualified elector of this state on the date the person is nominated for the office." "At its fall state convention each political party may nominate 2 candidates for membership on the board of regents of the University of Michigan. . . . Nomination to membership on the board of regents of the University of Michigan shall occur in 1966 and every second year thereafter."
bill s
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:15 p.m.
I'm not sure Ms Gratz knows where she's at. Everyone from around here knows diversity is a one way street...
David Briegel
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 11:08 p.m.
Because there's no such thing as White Privilege!
DonBee
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:14 p.m.
I welcome the diversity of opinions, let her run. Once most people hear her positions, I suspect they will decide to vote for someone else. Years ago we had the Wobblies running in Ann Arbor, I never voted for them, but I thought they had every right to run.
David Briegel
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8 p.m.
Just what we need, a single issue zealot.
amlive
Fri, Aug 9, 2013 : 12:32 a.m.
Yes Jay, in the related context I think fixation on race consideration in the admissions process can be safely placed in the "single issue" category.
Jay Thomas
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:17 p.m.
Is civil rights a "single issue?"
Dog Guy
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.
What is her position on closing Main Street for football games?
An Arborigine
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 8:49 p.m.
Guessing she wouldn't affirm that action either.
Somargie
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:28 p.m.
Does this "person" even live in MI? What are the rules for running for a "regent" in a state? For someone who was so offended that she didn't get to go to the "main" campus but had to go to another UM campus, why is she still hanging on? Wow...
Jay Thomas
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 10:17 p.m.
The comments made here are quite condescending.
Somargie
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 9:21 p.m.
"Now we are putting "person" in quotes, as if whites don't qualify as real people? Wow." This is either a new definition of either "utter ignorance," "stupidity" or a clear example of "racist troll comments." How this comment got past the reviewers is amazing.
Amy Biolchini
Thu, Aug 8, 2013 : 6:42 p.m.
Gratz lives in Florida but has a condo in Michigan, according to the Detroit News.