Resources for Affirmative Action

Resources for Teaching in Diverse Classrooms

• Conflict De-escalation by The Intergroup Relations Center, Arizona State University
  This article describes ways that instructors can address conflicts and tensions that may develop during classroom discussions.
   
• Dialogue Guidelines by The Intergroup Relations Center, Arizona State University

  This article explains how instructors can foster a classroom climate conducive to constructive interaction and dialogue.

• Discussion Groundrules by The Intergroup Relations Center, Arizona State University
  The guidelines in this article are designed to help instructors promote the expression of a range of opinions and ideas during classroom discussions while maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment.
   
• Teaching in a Racially Diverse College Classrooms by the Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, Harvard University

  This article addresses some of the issues instructors face when teaching in a multicultural context. The article includes information about preparing for class, promoting an inclusive classroom environment, and dealing with hot moments and hot topics.
   

• The Effect of Student Diversity on Student Learning at the University of Michigan: Faculty and GSI Perspectives by the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT)

  This CRLT Occasional Paper is a collection of twelve narratives written by University of Michigan faculty and graduate student instructors to convey their personal experiences with the complex dynamic of diversity in the University's learning environment.
   

• Section One: Discussing Points of View Other Than Your Own by
  Barbara Gross Davis, Lynn Wood, & Robert C. Wilson

  This section of A Berkeley Compendium of Suggestions for Teaching with Excellence explains how instructors can prepare their students to discuss issues from a variety of viewpoints.
   

• Section Ten: Encouraging Class Discussion by Barbara Gross Davis,
  Lynn Wood, & Robert C. Wilson

  This section of A Berkeley Compendium of Suggestions for Teaching with Excellence addresses four aspects of classroom discussions: integrating discussion into lectures, responding to student questions, helping students prepare for discussion, and sustaining and focusing discussion.
   

• IUPUI ( Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis) Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
   

• Practical Strategies to Reduce or Eliminate Student Incivility by Patrick J. Morrissette

  In this section from the article entitled Reducing Incivility in the University/College Classroom, the author describes how instructors can establish boundaries, influence student behavior, and promote a civil learning environment.
   

• Creating Inclusive College Classrooms by Shari Saunders & Diana Kardia

  This article describes ways instructors can create a supportive learning environment for all students.

• Managing Hot Moments in the Classroom
  The author provides instructors with strategies for turning difficult encounters into learning opportunities so that they can effectively address controversial topics in classroom discussions.

Resources on the Value of Diversity in the Classroom

I. The University of Michigan Cases

• University of Michigan Admissions Lawsuits (University of Michigan)
  http://www.umich.edu/~urel/admissions/

  This webpage includes links to news releases and articles, statements by UM leaders and others, frequently asked questions, a legal overview, court filings, and supporting research.

• University of Michigan Admissions Lawsuits (University of Michigan Documents Center)
  http://www.lib.umich.edu/govdocs/affirm.html

  This website, which is intended for library reference and research purposes, provides links to documents about the lawsuits, plaintiffs, defendants, University of Michigan, and legal issues. Links to articles from local news media and links to related resources are also included.

• The Student Intervenor-Defendants' Defense of Affirmative Action in Grutter v. Bollinger, the University of Michigan Law School Case
  http://www.bamn.com/doc/2001/011206-intervenors-argument.asp

  This webpage includes links to the expert reports used for the student intervenor-defendants defense.

  II. Other Resources

• Executive Summary of ‘Does Diversity Make a Difference?’: Three Research Studies on Diversity in College Classrooms by the American Council on Education (ACE) & the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)
  http://www.aaup.org/NR/rdonlyres/97003B7B-055F-4318-B14A-5336321FB742/0/...

  The executive summary encapsulates three empirical studies of instructors’ and students’ attitudes toward and experiences with diversity in the context of higher education. The research findings demonstrate that campus diversity represents an educational benefit for all students – minority and white alike – that cannot be duplicated in a racially and ethnically homogenous academic setting (p. 2).

• The Affirmative Action and Diversity Project: A Web Page for Research
  http://aad.english.ucsb.edu/

  According to this organization, its site presents diverse opinions regarding Affirmative Action topics; rather than taking a singular pro or con position, it is designed to help lend many different voices to the debates surrounding the issue of affirmative action.

• Race, Gender, and Affirmative Action by Elizabeth Anderson
  http://www-personal.umich.edu/~eandersn/biblio.htm

  This document is an annotated bibliography of resources on race, gender, and affirmative action.

• Timeline of Affirmative Action Milestones by Borgna Brunner
  http://www.infoplease.com/spot/affirmativetimeline1.html

  This timeline, which includes hyperlinks to additional resources, traces the history of affirmative action from 1965 to 2001.

• They’re Taking Over! – Myths about Multiculturalism by Troy Duster
  http://www.motherjones.com/mother_jones/SO91/affirm.html

  Using data from a study at the University of California at Berkeley, the author challenges myths and explains how diversity can enrich the college experience for students.

• Diversity: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography by R. Neill Johnson
  http://www.ntlf.com/html/lib/bib/divbib.htm

  This annotated bibliography includes material about diversity and multiculturalism in higher education. Besides being descriptive, each annotation is intended to provide the reader with a sense of the educational purpose the book or article could serve.

Offices Supporting Diversity at the University of Michigan

Most individual UM schools and colleges have offices or programs to support multiculturalism and diversity. This list, while not exhaustive, provides information about some major offices that serve the entire University community.

Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI)
3009 Student Activities Building
936-1055
http://www.umich.edu/~oami

The Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) addresses the needs of students of color. OAMI offers various programs to enhance the educational opportunities for African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic/Latino(a) Americans.

Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT)
1071 Palmer Commons
764-0505
http://www.crlt.umich.edu/

CRLT offers the following resources and services to departments, faculty, and GSIs:

• • seminars that address multicultural issues in teaching and learning
  • consultations on making classrooms more inclusive for a diverse student body
  • guidance on multicultural course development
  • assistance in assessing the effectiveness of multicultural classroom initiatives

The Center for the Education of Women (CEW)
330 E. Liberty
998-7080
http://www.umich.edu/~cew/

Through its research projects, programs, and scholarships, the Center for the Education of Women focuses on service, advocacy, and research for women.

Diversity Resources
Rackham Graduate School
http://www.rackham.umich.edu/StudentInfo/Diversity/

Diversity resources on the Rackham Graduate School web site lists links to resources for students of color, LGBT, and the disabled, as well as a link to educational documentaries about issues in student life and a mentoring guide for graduate students at a diverse university.

Diversity Librarian, Hatcher Graduate Library
209 Hatcher South
764-7522
Charles Ransom (ransomcg@umich.edu)

The Diversity Librarian provides research and reference assistance for students, faculty, and staff seeking information on gender, ethnic studies, and other topics related to diversity. The Diversity Librarian works to identify and develop in-house collections of non-mainstream publishers and publications.

Institute for Research on Women and Gender (IRWG)
1136 Lane Hall
764-9537
http://www.umich.edu/~irwg/

The Institute for Research on Women and Gender (IRWG), whose mission is to provide coordination and support for research on women and gender at the University of Michigan, facilitates activities that link research in Women's Studies, disciplinary departments, interdisciplinary programs, and the professional schools.

International Center
Main Office: 603 East Madison; 764-9310
North Campus Office: Pierpont Commons, 2101 Bonisteel; 936-4180
http://www.umich.edu/~icenter/

The International Center offers a variety of services to the UM community. In addition to providing resources for international students and scholars, the Center has information about overseas study, work, and travel opportunities.

Office of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Affairs (LGBTA)
3200 Michigan Union
763-4186
http://www.umich.edu/~inqueery

The Office of Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Affairs offers a wide range of programming for the University community. The educational services include classroom education, faculty and staff presentations, scholarly works series, and classroom speakers’ bureau. LGBTA sponsors weekly and monthly social events and houses a resource library open to faculty and graduate student instructors (GSIs) interested in developing multicultural curricula. Workshops and speakers are available for faculty and GSIs interested in fostering a learning environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people.

Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA)
2202 Michigan Union
763-9044
http://www.umich.edu/~mesamss/

The Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) is primarily concerned with the racial/ethnic identity development, cross-cultural competency, and personal empowerment of students of color. Through its programs and services, MESA strives to promote and sustain a sense of community for students and to create an inclusive campus where there is respect for the many identities and experiences of students.

Program on Intergroup Relations (IGR)
3000 Michigan Union
936-1875
http://www.umich.edu/~igrc

The philosophy of the Program on Intergroup Relations is to promote understanding and build truly multicultural communities through systematic instruction on various forms of social conflict, substantial face-to-face interaction, and meaningful dialogue among groups. Dialogue groups provide a unique opportunity for students and are offered for credit as co-curricular activities. IGR collaborates with faculty members interested in intergroup dialogue as part of an assignment or class project for students. An in-house resource library, which is open to faculty and GSIs for curriculum development, has a collection of books, articles, and literature focusing on a range of multicultural issues.

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
G219 Angell Hall
763-3000
http://www.umich.edu/~sswd

SDD provides services for students with any disabilities: learning, physical, mental, emotional, and mobility impairment. SDD’s faculty handbook covers recommendations for all courses and provides a reference for working with students who have disabilities. Additionally, SSD experts provide consultation and workshops in three areas: learning disabilities, deaf, and blind/visual impairments.

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