Gov. Jennifer Granholm's statement on court decision

June 23, 2003

ASSOCIATED PRESS

"I am gratified and pleased that the court has upheld the University of Michigan's ability to independently decide that developing a diverse student body is in the best interests of its community. I applaud the court for recognizing that fostering diversity is, in fact, in the government's best interest.

"There is no better place than a university campus populated with a rich cross-section of America's people to teach tolerance and to utilize our differences as levers to open minds and hearts.

"The University of Michigan has created, and will continue to a create, a learning environment that is the very essence of what a university should be -- a place where our differences create a robust learning experience that is filled with challenge, progress and hope."