The following resolution
was moved by Jan Dates, and seconded by Mary Alice Shaver at the meeting of
the AEJMC leaders in
Columbia, SC:


Whereas racial, ethnic and other kinds of diversity are critical to
providing a high quality journalism and mass communication education;

And whereas, progress in journalism and mass communication education comes
from discussion and collaboration among people with different backgrounds,
ideas and perspectives;

And whereas the quality of journalism and mass communication education is
enhanced by experiences studying, living and working with other students,
faculty and administrators in an academic community that extends beyond the
classroom;

And whereas a diminution of diversity on campus will inevitably diminish
diversity within media organizations;

And whereas providing the intellectual stimulation of a diverse campus
community of all their students is a critical part of the AEJMC members'
missions.

Be It Resolved: That the AEJMC Executive Committee supports the position of
the University of Michigan in its affirmative action case to be heard by the

U.S. Supreme Court in April 2003. We support the argument that there is a
compelling national interest for institutions of higher education to promote

racial and ethnic diversity within student bodies, faculties and staffs, and

that efforts should be made to assist students as they learn to function
fully, fairly and effectively in a pluralistic society.

Subsequently, it was passed by the AEJMC Executive Committee. The following
press release will go out shortly:

For immediate release: March 30, 2003
For further information, contact: Theodore Glasser, AEJMC President,
650-723-0962
Jannette Dates, AEJMC President-elect, 202-806-7694


COLUMBIA,SC - The leadership of the nation's largest association of
university journalism and mass communication professors has released a
statement affirming the position of the University of Michigan in its
affirmative action case now before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The executive committee of the Association for Education in Journalism and
Mass Communication, which represents more than 3,400 journalism and mass
communication educators, adopted the resolution in late March. The
resolution states there is a "compelling national interest for institutions
of higher learning to promote racial and ethnic diversity within student
bodies, faculties and staffs, and that efforts should be made to assist
students as they learn to function fully, fairly and effectively in a
pluralistic society."

AEJMC has long supported the importance of racial, ethnic and other kinds of
diversity as critical to providing high quality education in journalism and
mass communication.



Enclosure



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Jennifer McGill
AEJMC 234 Outlet Pointe Blvd
Columbia SC 29210-5667
803-798-0271