Lana Oconnell
The University of Michigan has a complex history when it comes to racial diversity and equality. In 1934, Willis Ward, an African American student, was sidelined from a football game due to racial discrimination. In the 1940s, the University of Michigan Law School began to advocate for the hiring of African American faculty members and their access to higher education. In 1964, the university saw an increase in its African American community from 0.5% to 3%, marking the first time that a significant number of African Americans had access to this well-known state school. However, in 1968, students protested against the university administration for a lack of support for minorities on campus, and in 1970, the Black Action Movement protested the slow progress of integration. The University of Michigan has since demonstrated a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, launching a campus-wide DEI Strategic Plan in 2015.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first Black student admission | N/A |
| Year of first Black graduate | N/A |
| First Black student | N/A |
| First Black graduate | N/A |
| First Black student body president | N/A |
| First Black faculty member | N/A |
| First Black dean | N/A |
| First Black with an honorary degree | N/A |
| First Black with a Ph.D. | N/A |
| Year affirmative action banned in Michigan | 2014 |
| Year of lowest percentage of white students | 2015 |
| Year of first Black Action Movement protests | 1970 |
| Year of second Black Action Movement protests | 1975 |
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What You'll Learn
- The University of Michigan was one of the first universities in the US to admit women, in 1870
- In 1934, Willis Ward was sidelined from a football game due to racial discrimination
- In 1964, the University of Michigan saw an increase in the African American community from 0.5% to 3%
- In 1970, the Black Action Movement protested for better representation on campus for Black students
- In 2006, voters approved Proposal 2, banning the University from considering race in its admissions process
The University of Michigan was one of the first universities in the US to admit women, in 1870
The University of Michigan has a long history of championing diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 1870, the university admitted its first female student, Madelon Stockwell, marking a significant milestone as one of the first universities in the nation to open its doors to women. This pioneering step towards gender equality in higher education set a precedent for the university's ongoing commitment to access and positive cultural change.
The admission of Madelon Stockwell in 1870 was just the beginning of a broader movement towards gender equality at the University of Michigan. The following year, in 1871, 34 more women joined Stockwell, forming a small but determined cohort within a predominantly male student body. The presence of these pioneering women gradually reshaped campus life and helped to challenge societal expectations of women's roles. They navigated a male-dominated environment, contributing to a more democratic and broad-minded outlook on campus.
The early female students at the University of Michigan encountered a campus in the midst of transformation. The 1870s marked the beginning of coeducation, and the university was also introducing new academic programs and disciplines. For example, Flora Potter (Moran), who attended the university in 1888 and 1890, recalled the lack of infrastructure and amenities on campus, including the absence of a water works system and limited housing rules. Despite these challenges, the early female students were dedicated to their studies and embraced the academic opportunities presented to them.
The impact of these trailblazing women extended beyond their time on campus. In 1924, the Alumnae Council of the U-M Alumni Association conducted a survey, asking female alumni to reflect on their experiences and the influence of the university on their lives. Harriet Holman (Bishop), a member of the first generation of Michigan women, summed up their spirit: "A happier — more normal — busier — more earnest 'bunch' of girls never existed. We came to college to study, and we thoroughly enjoyed our work—and also our play!" The responses to this survey provided valuable insights into the transformative power of education for women at the University of Michigan.
While the University of Michigan's history is marked by significant progress in gender equality, it has also faced challenges and complexities in its pursuit of diversity and inclusion. The university has had to address issues of racial discrimination and work towards increasing access for students of all backgrounds. For example, in 1934, Willis Ward, an African American student, was sidelined from a football game due to racial discrimination. Additionally, the university has faced legal challenges related to affirmative action and race-conscious admission policies, highlighting the ongoing struggle to create a more inclusive environment for all students.
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In 1934, Willis Ward was sidelined from a football game due to racial discrimination
The University of Michigan has a long and complex history of race relations. While it was one of the first universities in the nation to admit women in 1870, its history is also marked by instances of racial discrimination.
One notable example of this occurred in 1934 when Willis Ward, a star athlete and arguably Michigan's best player at the time, was sidelined from a football game against Georgia Tech due to racial discrimination. This incident, which took place on October 20, 1934, became infamously linked to Ward's legacy and shed light on the racial prejudices present at the university and in the country at that time.
Ward, a child of the Great Migration, had already faced challenges as a person of colour. Before enrolling at the University of Michigan, he had attended Northwestern High School in Detroit, where he became a star athlete. During his time at the university, he experienced the campus's segregation first-hand, as it had separate social lives for its small number of Black students. Black women, for instance, were initially not allowed to live in the dormitories.
The decision to bench Ward was made by the university's athletic director, Fielding Yost. The incident drew national attention, with strong opposition from students and alumni alike. Rumours of Ward's benching had reached the student body weeks earlier, and many had already voiced their disapproval. Despite this opposition, the decision stood, and Ward did not play in the game against Georgia Tech.
The impact of this decision extended beyond the game and Ward's athletic career. It reduced a complex individual to a one-dimensional narrative, overshadowing his rich and interesting life. Ward went on to work in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and private practice, and he finished his public career as a probate judge in Wayne County. He died in Detroit on December 30, 1983, at the age of 71.
The University of Michigan has continued to grapple with issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. While there have been efforts to increase access and support for students of colour, there have also been setbacks and resistance. For example, in 2006, voters approved the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which banned the university from considering race as part of its admissions process, leading to a decrease in minority enrollment. More recently, in 2015, the university announced a $10 million multicultural centre to be built on campus, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion.
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In 1964, the University of Michigan saw an increase in the African American community from 0.5% to 3%
The University of Michigan has a long history of racial inequality. In 1934, Willis Ward, an African American football player, was sidelined during a game against Georgia Tech due to racial discrimination. Despite this, the University of Michigan has also been a pioneer in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. It was one of the first universities in the nation to admit women in 1870.
In the 1960s, the University of Michigan began taking steps to increase the enrollment of African American students. In 1963, Roger Heyns, the vice president for Academic Affairs, proposed affirmative action as a way to make the university more accessible to black students. This caught the attention of the university's president, Harlan Hatcher, who supported the reform. As a result of these efforts, in 1964, the University of Michigan saw an increase in the African American community from 0.5% to 3%. This was the first time that so many African Americans had gained access to a well-known state school.
The university's efforts to increase diversity were not without challenges. In 2003, the University of Michigan Law School was sued by Barbara Grutter, a student who felt she was denied entrance based on her race. In 2006, voters approved the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which banned public institutions from considering race in their admissions processes. This led to a decrease in minority enrollment, and the university had to develop new strategies to promote diversity.
Despite these setbacks, the University of Michigan has continued to demonstrate its commitment to diversity and inclusion. In 2015, the university announced a $10 million plan to construct a new multicultural center on campus. Additionally, the university has shown its support for affirmative action, with President Schlissel releasing a statement in favor of the practice in 2016. The University of Michigan's history is marked by both progress and setbacks in the pursuit of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all communities.
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In 1970, the Black Action Movement protested for better representation on campus for Black students
The University of Michigan has a long history of activism and advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 1870, it became one of the first universities in the nation to admit women. Over a century later, in 1970, the Black Action Movement (BAM) emerged as a powerful voice for change, protesting for better representation of Black students on campus.
The Black Action Movement was a series of protests by African American students against the policies and actions of the University of Michigan. The protests took place on three separate occasions: BAM I in 1970, BAM II in 1975, and BAM III in 1987. The 1970 protests were a response to the slow progress in increasing Black enrollment and improving support for minorities on campus. Led by the Black Student Union, the protests began in late 1969, with students demanding more funding for African American students and an increase in Black faculty hires.
The University of Michigan had seen a gradual increase in Black enrollment in the previous decade, rising from 0.5% to 3% by the end of the 1960s. However, this progress fell short of the goals advocated by the Black Action Movement, which sought to match the state's Black population, setting a target of 10% Black enrollment. The protests in 1970 included strikes, picketing, and the blocking of buildings and streets, leading to a significant disruption on campus. The university eventually agreed to concessions, including providing the Black Student Union with an independent annual budget and creating a position to monitor minority affairs.
The Black Action Movement of 1970 was a pivotal moment in the University of Michigan's history, demonstrating the power of student activism and its impact on institutional change. While the university made some strides toward improving representation for Black students, the work did not end there. Subsequent Black Action Movements in 1975 and 1987 continued to push for greater progress, highlighting the ongoing struggle for equity and inclusion in higher education.
The University of Michigan's journey toward diversity and inclusion has been complex, marked by both advancements and setbacks. While the university has shown leadership in certain areas, such as its defense of race-conscious admission policies, it has also faced legal challenges and voter-approved proposals that ban affirmative action and hinder efforts to increase diversity. Despite these obstacles, the university continues to strive for a more inclusive and representative campus, building on the legacy of the Black Action Movement and the tireless work of its student activists.
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In 2006, voters approved Proposal 2, banning the University from considering race in its admissions process
The University of Michigan has a long history of grappling with racial issues in its admissions process. In 1934, for instance, Willis Ward was sidelined from a football game against Georgia Tech due to racial discrimination. In the 1960s, the University took steps to actively recruit African American students, and by the end of the decade, the percentage of African Americans in the student body had increased from 0.5% to 3%.
However, in 2006, voters approved Proposal 2, also known as the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which amended the state constitution to prohibit public institutions from considering race, gender, colour, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions, employment, or contracting. This meant that the University of Michigan could no longer consider race as a factor in its admissions process, even as part of a holistic evaluation of applicants.
The University of Michigan had previously defended the use of race-conscious admissions policies before the US Supreme Court in the 2000s. After Proposal 2 passed, the University was forced to develop new strategies to promote diversity among its students. Despite this ban on the consideration of race in admissions, the University of Michigan has continued to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2015, for example, the University announced a $10 million plan to build a new multicultural centre on campus, following pressure from the "Being Black at Michigan" movement.
While Proposal 2 banned the consideration of race in admissions, it is important to note that it did not eliminate affirmative action entirely. The University of Michigan has continued to take steps to increase diversity and promote equity, even within the constraints imposed by Proposal 2. The University's history illustrates the complex and often contradictory nature of diversity in higher education, with progress and setbacks occurring alongside each other.
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