Regents 101: Your Participation is Essential

Show Up! 

When: Thurs. Feb 15th: Grade-In (1-3pm); Press Conference (3:00PM-3:30PM); Regents’ Meeting  (3:30-5pm)

Where: The Anderson Room of the Michigan Union

Why: After a shameful salary counterproposal from the UM administration on Monday 2/12, it is time to RESPOND.

On Thursday, February 15th, our Lecturers and supporters will hold a Grade-In (1-3pm), Press Conference (3:00PM-3:30PM), and then attend and speak at the U of M Regents’ meeting (3:30-5pm) in the Anderson Room of the Michigan Union. We invite you to join us.

The Regents must see us and our allies and learn about the injustices suffered by lecturers and the unwillingness of the administration’s bargaining team to agree to meaningful changes in our contract. IF WE WANT TO WIN A FAIR CONTRACT, WE MUST SHOW UP AND BE HEARD BY THESE DECISION-MAKERS. There is no shortcut here. If we don’t do our part, we cannot expect the Regents to speak up for us.

Who are the Regents?  

Here is a bit about the 8 UM Regents, as taken from their website:

The University is governed by the Board of Regents, which consists of eight members elected at large in biennial state-wide elections. The president of the University serves as an ex officio member of the board. The Regents serve without compensation for overlapping terms of eight years. According to the Michigan Constitution of 1963, the Regents have “general supervision” of the institution and “the control and direction of all expenditures from the institution’s funds.”

What to expect at a Regents meeting

Regents’ Meetings follow an agenda that is made public a few days before the meeting Here’s the agenda for 2/15. It is normal for individuals and community members to address the Regents during the “Public Comment on Agenda-Related Items” part of the agenda. Look at their website where it says:

“As a part of their regular monthly meeting agenda, the regents will set aside time for the purpose of enabling individuals to address the board. It should be understood that the board will not necessarily respond to such comments, since they may require study and recommendations on the part of the others at the University”

Meeting Schedule

Here's the schedule for Thursday:

Call to Order

• President's Opening Remarks

• Presentation: Annual Research Report

• Public Comments on Agenda-Related Topics

• Regular Business Agenda

  • We address the board at the end of public comments.

To recap:

On Thursday, February 15th, LEO members and allies will address the Regents to inform them about the shameful salary proposal the UM bargaining team offered this week. Come and go as your schedule allows. Wear your LEO T-shirt or button (we’ll have plenty for members and supporters). Ask your students and other allies to show up and support us.

You just need to show up.

For more info and to RSVP, visit the LEO Facebook event.