University of Michigan officials: Focus on diversity will continue

Michigan, California and Washington have passed bans on affirmative action in the admissions process at public institutions, while Texas has a court-imposed ban.

The bans contrast the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld the Michigan law school's affirmative action policy that offers an advantage to minorities. In a separate case, the justices struck down the points system in undergraduate admissions at U-M, which had awarded 20 points for African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans on an admissions ratings scale.

Among U-M hopefuls in the most recent admissions cycle, underrepresented minority applications - those from African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans - rose 3.7 percent, and offers of admission increased 8.2 percent.

Despite heavy recruiting, more applications and offers, fewer of these potential students enrolled. Underrepresented minority freshmen made up 10.4 percent of the freshmen class in fall 2008, and 9.1 percent this fall - a drop of 11.4 percent, or 69 students.

Lester Monts, senior vice provost for academic affairs, said he spoke to minority students who chose to go elsewhere. Some, he said, were offered full scholarships at elite private institutions not banned from offering aid based on race, ethnicity or gender. Others may have chosen to stay in-state in a tough economy. He said U-M keeps a database detailing reasons potential students decline acceptance.

University officials today emphasized the value they say diversity brings to campus and detailed how they're working to boost racial, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity.

"From virtually every aspect of college life, we showed the court that diversity does matter. It is important," said Ted Spencer, associate vice provost and executive director for undergraduate admissions. "It does have a compelling interest, and students no matter who they are benefit from it."

Monts noted U-M's current focus on recruiting minority as well as low-to-moderate income students. In a press release, U-M President Mary Sue Coleman said the university will "redouble" those efforts in light of the new enrollment data.

"As a whole university, we are looking at demographic data that tells us where students live and the income of that particular area, and we're increasing our outreach to schools and high schools in those vicinities," Monts said.

A partnership with the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, which promotes higher education, aims to bring in more high-achieving students with low to moderate family incomes, Monts said. Transfers into the College of Literature, Science and the Arts are up 100 students over last year.

Other efforts include increased partnerships with K-12 schools and community organizations.

Other figures released by U-M today show:

• University officials said freshman applications for 2009 were up 0.5 percent to a record high of 29,965. Offers of admission were up 19.12 percent. 
• The figures released today show the incoming freshman class is almost evenly divided between men and women and includes students from 1,800 high schools, all 50 states, and almost 70 countries. 
• The number of graduate/professional students increased by 2.9 percent, according to the U-M Office of the Registrar. Meanwhile, undergraduates increased by 0.8 percent. 
• The incoming freshman class is the most well-credentialed on record, with an average GPA of 3.8; 1,500 members achieved a 4.0 in high school.

A greater percentage of undergraduate students at U-M this year are receiving Pell Grant funds, a need-based grant for low-income undergraduates. Recent data is as follows:

• Fall 2009: 3,889 students, 15 percent of 26,208 undergraduates. 
• Fall 2008: 3,400 students, 13 percent of 25,994 undergraduates.
• Fall 2007: 3,334 students, 13 percent of 26,083 undergraduates.
• Fall 2006: 3,114 students, 12 percent of 25,555 undergraduates. 
• Fall 2005: 3,245 students, 13 percent of 25,467 undergraduates.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided $17.1 billion in additional Pell funds and $200 million for work study programs, as well as a $2,500 tax credit for families with college students who meet certain criteria. 

U-M officials expect more Pell Grants will be awarded as the year goes on. Officials say these and other resources amount to the largest financial aid pool ever in 2009-2010.

Juliana Keeping covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528.