Central Michigan Life

Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: News

Affirmative Action Officer candidate L. Michael Woods, speaks to a group of students and staff during his open forum Wednesday afternoon in the Bovee University Center Lake St. Clair Room. [Click to enlarge]

When people come to L. Michael Woods with problems, he puts them into three categories.

He categorizes them into things he can influence and control, things he can influence but not control and things he can neither influence nor control.

Woods, one of three finalists for the position of affirmative action officer, spoke at an open forum Monday afternoon in the Bovee University Center's Lake St. Clair Room.

"I'm bored, I need more challenges in my life," he said. "This is an opportunity to get back into what I enjoy doing."

He currently is the senior associate of Integrity Search Associates of Grand Rapids, a firm specializing in helping colleges and universities recruit candidates for top leadership positions. He previously spent 17 years at Grand Valley State University, serving as director of affirmative action, dean of multicultural affairs and assistant director for admissions.

Woods has studied affirmative action extensively and said he believes in making sure people understand its purpose.

"The idea of affirmative action is to bring us to equal opportunity in America; it has nothing to do with giving an unqualified person a job," he said.

Novi junior Tyler R. Farrant, one of seven attendees at the forum, said Woods' explanation of affirmative action was helpful.

"I had a broad definition of what affirmative action is, but having him explain it made it a lot clearer," he said.

Woods, who also served in the Marine Corps and worked as the director of emergency services in Kent County, said it is important to consider the way people look at others.

"We tend to focus on things that are different in our communities," he said. "If we focus on the things we have in common, we would have less problems."

Woods reminded those at the forum that America is defined by everyone, not just the majority.

He said he is not yet familiar with the problems at Central Michigan University, but would like an opportunity to work here.

"This is an institution where anyone would be proud to work, with a beautiful campus and an institution in a growth mode," he said.

Noah Emerson said Woods seemed like a qualified and knowledgeable candidate.

"I thought he was also really personable, which I think is important in terms of faculty - someone you can approach," the Traverse City senior said.


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