Welcome to the University of Michigan (UM) in the city of Ann Arbor, near Detroit, the largest majority African-American city in the United States (US) and also near the city of Dearborn, home to the largest Arab population outside the Middle East.
UM ranks as the number two public university and is one of the largest research universities in the US. Enrolment is 40 000 students; 12% are international students and 25% are from racial or ethnic minority groups. UM boasts the largest university football stadium in America, seating 115 000 people.
The Ecumenical Centre and International Residence works with the UM International Centre to provide hospitality for incoming international students. We help students, through every day living together, to develop cross-cultural competency skills. Through community service, students explore issues in American society, such as hunger, homelessness, ageing, disabilities and environment.
Groups of students go to Washington DC and advocate ending global hunger; others go to Honduras in Central America and work in solidarity with a Honduran community. We explore the spiritual roots for a more sustainable, peaceful world. A PhD student from the University of Johannesburg lives in our residence at present.
Like all universities, we have debates about matters that affect us, our students and staff members. Currently three issues dominate at UM.
The first is affirmative action, which in US society, as elsewhere, refers basically to attempts by institutions such as universities to reach out to marginalised people, often from racial minority groups. In a regressive vote last November, Michigan voters banned the use of race and gender as affirmative action criteria. The new law will be challenged in the courts. Meanwhile, UM is scrambling to find ways to continue to attract students from diverse backgrounds.
Second, the state of the Michigan economy is much talked about. The US automobile industry has been the cornerstone of the Michigan economy for nearly 100 years. Now, with people buying more fuel-efficient cars built in Japan and Europe, the ‘Big Three” US car companies (General Motors, Ford and Chrysler) have been forced to close many factories. More than 45 000 Michigan workers have lost their jobs in the past four years. Today, Michigan’s economy is the worst in the US. UM is working with the legislature and businesses on research and development in the areas of life sciences and environment to create new industries. This process might take decades and families are suffering. Many young people feel there are no longer good economic opportunities in Michigan.
A third topic on the agenda is lesbian and gay rights. Unlike the South African Constitution, which guarantees the rights of gay and lesbian people, there are no such protections in the US.
The UM, as a progressive school, has offered health insurance and other benefits to the domestic partners of gay and lesbian faculty (academics) and staff. But, again last November, a majority of Michigan voters passed an ordinance that forbids public universities to use tax dollars to provide these benefits. This has created much anxiety in the lesbian and gay community. The university is trying a new way now to continue benefits for partners of all faculty and staff members.
It is the summer break and many students are home. The Summer in the City Festival offers free concerts every night and, despite problems, life in Ann Arbor is good.
I invite you to come and visit us sometime.
Roger Pohl is director of the Ecumenical Centre and International Residence based in Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan