The Board of Regents in the History of the University of Michigan. Terrence J. McDonald, Director Bentley Historical Library September 14, 2017

Transcription

1 The Board of Regents in the History of the University of Michigan Terrence J. McDonald, Director Bentley Historical Library September 14, 2017

2 Why that saying at the top of Angell Hall?

3

4 What it Says: Religion, morality, and knowledge being necessary for good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged. Ordinance of 1787 (Northwest Ordinance) Organizing States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin

5 The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Five Radical Propositions 1. Equal Rights 2. Free Soil 3. Free Conscience 4. Free Labor 5. Free Public Education

6 The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Five Challenges for the University of Michigan 1. Develop an understanding of public mission and responsibility 2. Promote equal access 3. Construct religious and intellectual freedom 4. Respect the rights and possibilities of all persons 5. Define the frontiers of education in the state, nation, and world

7 Gabriel Richard John Monteith Augustus Woodward

8 Many Founding Dates:

9 1856: Regents of the UM vs. Board of Education of Detroit

10 Michigan Supreme Court found for the Regents University is a corporate entity beginning in 1817 Regents are heirs of the Board of Trustees of 1821 Trustees are heirs of 1817 administration of Monteith & Richard Regents are the political legatees of the Founding Fathers

11 Where did the Regents Come From? Term: From Latin regere, to rule first used in NY State. MI Role: Constitution of 1850

12 Wednesday, August 2, 1850 (50th day of the convention) education article voted 44 aye; 26 nay. (Amendment to require election of University professors withdrawn for lack of support.)

13 The regents of the University and their successors in office shall constitute the body corporate, known by the name and title of The Regents of the University of Michigan. shall have the general supervision of the University, and the direction and control of all expenditures shall be elected

14 Three characteristics of Board come out of this constitution: Election = Democratic Mandate Specialization = Run only the University Autonomy = Constitutional not legislative status.

15 This combination quite unique; Only 6 other universities outside the state of Michigan have constitutional status, but modes of selection and realms of authority vary widely. e.g. University of California

16 State Supreme Court Decisions Strengthen Autonomy People ex rel. Drake v. Regents, 1856 Sterling v Regents, 1896 Board of Regents of the University of Michigan v. Auditor General, 1911

17 Drake:(On hiring in homeopathic medicine): 1850 Constitution made the Regents constitutional officers To their judgment and discretion as a body is committed the supervision of the financial and all other interests of the University and the legislature must not interfere.

18 Sterling:(on moving the school of homeopathic medicine): the point of the new constitutional structure of 1850 was to place the University in the direct and exclusive control of the people themselves, through a constitutional body elected by them.

19 Auditor General (Angell travel reimbursement): by the provisions of the Constitution of 1850, repeated in the new Constitution of 1909, the Board of Regents is made the highest form of juristic person known to the law, a constitutional Corporation of independent authority, which, within the scope of its functions, is coordinate with and equal to that of the legislature. it is given general supervision of the University, and the direction and control of all expenditures from the University funds.

20 General Trend in the 20 th Century Autonomy spread to MSU and Wayne State reaffirmed in Constitution of An umbrella effect spreads to regional campuses Eastern, Western, etc.

21 Who Were the Regents? Elected Regents from 1852 (Andrew Parsons) to 1993, (Rebecca McGowan): total years of service Average term length: 8.6 years Longest regental time of service: Junius Emory Beal, 32 years ( ) Regents who died in office in this time period: 15 (11%)

22 Who were the Regents. cont. First woman on Board of Regents: Esther Cram Marsh, 1929 (only 9 years after women got the vote; has been at least one woman on the Board ever since). First African American on Board of Regents: Otis M. Smith, 1967 First African American woman on Board of Regents: Nellie M. Varner, 1981

23 Some Good and Not so Good Decisions Made by the Regents Firing President Tappan 1863 Admission of Women, 1870 open to any person who possesses the requisite literary and moral qualifications. Support for President Angell ( ) let Prexy be Prexy Banning cars from campus

24 Nothing succeeds like success: UM a top-ranked University from the earliest rankings: #4 in America in 1908 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching U-M is 15th in Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings, June 14, 2017

25 Major Trends in 20 th Century Board becomes: Less involved in administrative issues (reflects development of admin capacity inside the U starting with President Ruthven.) More public meetings regularly open to the press in 1955 and to the public beginning in 1962 More diverse in membership More confident in the administration of the institution.

26 Continuing Role of the Regents Political Legatees of Founding Fathers Holders of the electoral mandate, political specialization, and constitutional autonomy that make Michigan the ideal example of the public ivy.

27 The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Five Challenges for the University of Michigan 1. Develop an understanding of public mission and responsibility 2. Promote equal access 3. Construct religious and intellectual freedom 4. Respect the rights and possibilities of all persons 5. Define the frontiers of education in the state, nation, and world