I receive two publications from UofM on a regular basis. The current LSA magazine does not address the race issue in admissions. But Lee C. Bollinger is quoted in this week's Newsweek which has several good articles on the issue at hand. (The current president of UofM is Mary Sue Coleman, BTW)

He says, "there are many misperceptions about how race and ethnicity are considered in college admisions. Competitive colleges and universities are always looking for a mix of students with different experiences and backgrounds--academic, geographic, international, socioeconomic, athletic, public service oriented and yes, racial and ethnic."

He goes on to say," The simple fact about the Michigan undergraduate policy is that it gives overwhelming weight to traditional academic factors--some 110 out of a total of 150 points. After that, there are some 40 points left for other factors, of which 20 can be allocated for race or socioeconomic status. "

He goes on to talk about the segregation of Detroit and the fact that the majority of students who arrive on Michigan's campus are from virtually all-white or all-black high schools....and that their first experience in integrated living is on Michigan's campus. He believes it is vital and that diversity is an essental element to a well-rounded education.

Anyway, I sure as hell wouldn't have wanted someone like the fella that wrote "the Emperor of Ocean Park" as a roommate. Too much like all the other people I grew up knowing.... (had to throw in the harpy bombast, right?)