Sound of silence

The people have spoken.

Last week’s midterm election was one for the history books.

Democrats staged a decisive comeback — which many have attributed to
the growing unrest with the Iraq war and President George W. Bush’s
presidency.

Never before in our young generation has the power of democracy been
so apparent.

The voters’ message was clear: “We want change.”

Michigan voters made something else clear: “We don’t value
diversity.”

Michigan banned affirmative action programs with the approval of
Proposal 2 — the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.

This decision — endorsed by 58 percent of Michigan voters —
threatens the integrity of this university and all other Michigan
institutions.

CMU should not sit back and watch this happen.

When the election day dust settled Wednesday morning, University of
Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman spoke emphatically at the
university’s Student Union flanked by deans and regents.

“I will not allow our university to go down the path of mediocrity,”
Coleman said. “That is not Michigan. … We are Michigan. And we are
diversity.”

Last week, University President Michael Rao was mostly silent on the
passage of Proposal 2.

When asked about the proposal at his open forum Thursday, Rao would
only speak generally about the university’s commitment to diversity.

Rao said it was not in the best interest of the university to make a
public statement as it may be perceived as an endorsement or opposition
to an issue.

Isn’t that the point of making a statement?

To be fair, Rao eventually did issue a statement on Proposal 2 — it
appears on the following page.

It may be too late for some, however.

Proposal 2 was the most emotional issue on the ballot.

Rao had to know how important the decision was to his students.

Not in recent memory have they been so outspoken and passionate.

The next morning, many students were unsure about what the future
would hold for them — and for people who looked like them.

Our university was silent.

What students need right now is a fighter — someone who will stand
up for what is right.

We have no reason to doubt Rao’s intention or his sincerity in his
quest for diversity.

But the figurative ball is now in Rao’s court.

It remains to be seen how Proposal 2 will affect CMU’s population.

What is certain is Rao and Affirmative Action Officer Michael Powell
have some work to do.