Earlier, Bluestem posted Digest: 2 friends' letters prompt U of M Regent Sviggum to ask if Morris campus is "too diverse".
Since then, WCCO Radio (and other news outlets) have reported U of M Regent Steve Sviggum apologizes for questions about diversity at UM-Morris:
One week after University of Minnesota Board of Regent Steve Sviggum posed a question to Minnesota Morris interim chancellor Janet Schrunk Eriksen, basing it on two letters he received from friends whose children decided againstattending Minnesota Morris because the increased diversity made them uncomfortable, Sviggum has issued an apology . . . .
Prior to an appearance on WCCO Radio Tuesday night with Henry Lake, who has publicly called for Sviggum to step down, he issued the following statement.
“Last week, during University of Minnesota Morris Interim Chancellor Erickson’s presentation on MPact 2025 enrollment goals at Morris, I posed a question regarding the diversity of the student body and whether that diversity was—in any way—linked to the recent enrollment challenges.
Let me unequivocally apologize for my questions, and especially for the unintended hurt my questions may have caused. They were not intended to cause harm, but my intent does not matter. For those whom I have harmed or offended, and for all of those associated with our great university, I am truly sorry. I have only respect and admiration for any individual who seeks to better themselves through higher education, whether at Morris or at any of our wonderful campuses. Minnesota benefits from our many amazing students from all walks of life who make incredible contributions to our community, and their work strengthens the great state of Minnesota. I hope that all of our graduates elect to stay in Minnesota after graduation and work, every day, for the betterment of our state.
My intent – recognizing that my words matter – was to foster discussion around the consistently declining enrollment at Morris, which is not a one-year trend or even a concern that has emerged out of the COVID pandemic. Rather, student enrollment has been declining for years (down 50% from its peak) and the future of this great campus depends on finding solutions to reverse that trend.
I have been blessed throughout my life as a farmer to work with a diversity of people across our state and our nation from all backgrounds. As a layperson in my church, I have shared the joys and heartbreaks of so many of my fellow parishioners. And as a proud Regent, I have been given the incredible opportunity to help our institution, our president, and our students, staff, and faculty who set a very high bar for the rest of us.
Again, I offer my sincerest apologies. I clearly have more to learn to better understand the strength that diversity brings to our institution, and I look forward to taking those who have reached out to me up on their offers to meet and to hear their perspectives and learn from them. I am willing to learn and I must do better—and I will.”
Bluestem will post about how these words are received.
Related posts
- Digest: 2 friends' letters prompt U of M Regent Sviggum to ask if Morris campus is "too diverse".
- Sviggum chooses power above teaching; how will former speaker survive after giving up job?
- Pick one: Steve Sviggum can take $80,000 half-time job or Regent's post, ethics panel says
Photo: University of Minnesota Regent Steve Sviggum questioned if diversity was behind the Morris campus’ declining enrollment during a board meeting on Oct. 13, 2022. Screenshot. Via Minnesota Reformer.
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