The 10 candidates vying for two open eight-year terms on the Board of Regents in the Nov. 6 election have been invited to participate in a public forum at 3:30 p.m. today (Oct. 22) during the monthly Senate Assembly meeting. The meeting will be in Forum Hall on the fourth floor of Palmer Commons.

The Candidates’ Forum will provide members of the university community the opportunity to pose questions on important issues that affect U-M as well as to provide the candidates an opportunity to articulate their positions on those issues, Senate Assembly organizers say. Candidates also will field questions from the audience.

The candidates are: Mark Bernstein, D-Ann Arbor; Eric Borregard, Green Party-Dexter; Dan Horning, R-Grand Haven; James Lewis Hudler, Libertarian-Chelsea; Nikki Mattson, Natural Law Party-Ann Arbor; Shauna Ryder Diggs, D-Detroit; Joe Sanger, U.S. Taxpayers-Lansing; Robert Steele, R-Ypsilanti; Gregory Scott Stempfle, Libertarian-Ferndale; and Gerald T. Van Sickle, U.S. Taxpayers-Wellston.

Regents Olivia P. Maynard, D-Goodrich, and S. Martin Taylor, D-Grosse Pointe Farms, are not seeking re-election.

The Record contacted the candidates, requesting biographical information, a photo and a platform statement. Four responded; their information follows.

Mark Bernstein

Party affiliation: Democrat

Website: www.mgobernstein.com

Mark Bernstein is president of The Sam Bernstein Law Firm, PLLC, a leading plaintiff’s trial firm based in Michigan. He earned three degrees from U-M: a Bachelor of Arts, a Juris Doctorate and an MBA. He is the longest serving member of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, and was appointed to serve on the commission by Gov. Jennifer Granholm in 2004.

Platform statement: “I am a proud and grateful product of Michigan’s public education system — from kindergarten to earning three degrees from the University of Michigan. I seek an opportunity to help keep this path through exceptional public schools to an extraordinary public university affordable and accessible. I will work with every stakeholder of this great university to honor its essential public mission as a global leader in education and research.

“In 1930, my grandfather, Harold Nelson, had to drop out of U-M when his family fell on hard times. He never graduated, but he still loved the university. He loved what U-M stands for — the idea that education and research can transform lives … that discoveries in labs and libraries can change our state, our country and the world.

“I share his love for U-M. As a child, I learned about my grandfather’s sacrifice. Today, as a candidate for the U-M Board of Regents, I am fighting to keep U-M among the leaders and best in higher education, while preserving access for students form all backgrounds.

“My platform includes five detailed Position Papers on topics including 1) affordability, 2) access and 3) jobs/innovation/economic development. Additionally, I offer 10 Ideas to Explore including 1) college access bonds, 2) variable credit pricing and 3) net tuition pledge. To learn more visit www.MGoBernstein.com.

“The University of Michigan does not award Republican or Democratic diplomas … Michigan graduates earn Michigan diplomas. We can all agree that an affordable, accessible and exceptional college education helps everyone in our state.”

Eric Borregard

Party affiliation: Green Party

Website: www.newmenu.org/ericborregard

Borregard is president of EB Graphics Artech LLC. He currently is a broadcast and cinema arts major at Madonna University. He earned his associate’s degree in applied science at Oakland Community College.

Previous political experience includes running as a Green Party candidate for U.S. Senate in 2002.

Platform statement: “I’m president of EB Graphics LLC and taught at the K-12 level. I am also a student at Madonna University and have a son who attended the U of M for five years. So I know what it’s like for the parents and students who are being exploited and abused by Michigan’s universities. I’ve written, lectured and debated passionately on educational issues for 20 years. As a television producer I have produced a variety of public interest broadcasts and was the 1998 Reform candidate for State Board of Education.

“Today just 56 percent of U.S. students are completing a four year degree after six years. The graduation rate of U of M freshmen is about 78 percent, which means about 22 percent of them will eventually dropout. The chief reason the cost of tuition. If elected reducing the dropout rate would be my top priority, even if that means eliminating tuition all together. The U of M is basically a school, so why should parents and student’s obligations be more than in K-12 education? So the issues of waste, fraud and abuse would be my primary concern.

“I’m interested in furthering global warming studies, green energy research, sustainable economics, and medical research on air and water pollution. I’m also interested in a center for the study of non-violence, medical marijuana and hemp studies. The ending of the prohibition on hemp products would greatly benefit Michigan’s farmers and small business, increasing tourism and providing a new education funding mechanism for the zero tuition goals.”

Dan Horning

Party affiliation: Republican

Website: www.horningforregent.com

James Lewis Hudler

Party affiliation: Libertarian

Website: N/A

Nikki Mattson

Party affiliation: Natural Law Party

Website: N/A

Shauna Ryder Diggs

Party affiliation: Democrat

Website: tinyurl.com/8m5xvro

Dr. Shauna Ryder Diggs is a dermatologist in solo private practice at Cosmedic Dermatology. She is a graduate of the U-M Inteflex Program with its combined seven year medical school and undergraduate education. She then advanced to her Internal Medicine Internship at the U-M Medical Center. Her specialty training was completed at the U-M Dermatology Residency program, where she became an expert in autoimmune, infectious, benign and malignant dermatoses. “As a daughter of two university professors, I realize the importance of academic excellence and the value of our state institutions. Our universities open doors by providing educational and career opportunities,” she says. “ The University of Michigan opened doors for me by providing a great education to become a physician. I will work hard to ensure that the university continues to provide these same opportunities for diverse working families.”

Platform statement: “My background as a small business owner, second-generation alum, a graduate of the undergraduate/medical schools, a past university employee during my medical center residency, a wife, a mother of two daughters and an active community member makes me uniquely qualified to serve as a Regent.

“My priorities as a regent will be …

“ • To recruit the best and brightest to attend the university.

“ • To ensure students who decide to attend can do so without hardship to their families and excessive student debt.

“ • To improve the culture between students, faculty, administration and employees on campus, creating the best learning environment.

“ • To improve technology, operational efficiencies and infrastructure.

“ • To support the medical center as a leader in the healthcare discussion and the development of best practices for healthcare delivery.

“Accomplishing these goals will help students receive a top-notch education and rich cultural experience which will encourage our graduates to remain in Michigan, starting their careers and small businesses.”

Joe Sanger

Party affiliation: U.S. Taxpayers

Website: www.votejoesanger.com

Robert Steele

Party affiliation: Republican

Website: www.drrobsteeleforregent.com

Steele graduated from Greenville High School, and attended U-M as a Regents Scholar. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1978, and a medical degree in 1981, by the age of 23.

He is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases, with added qualifications in interventional cardiology and echocardiology.

Steele worked as clinical faculty at Washington University/Barnes Hospital, and as former clinical assistant professor at the U-M Medical School for more than 20 years.

While working in private practice at Michigan Heart, where for 10 years he was responsible for evaluating fourth-year med students on the cardiology elective. He also was chair of finance and benefits.

There are many U-M degrees in his family, including his grandfather (a football player) 1921-24, and grandmother (’25), a National Service Citation winner in 1962 and a National Co-Chair first U-M Endowment Campaign in 1964.

Platform statement: “My two foundational facts:

“1) Taxpayers in Michigan have provided more than 150 years of ‘Venture Capital’ to the university — leveraged wisely by administration and alumni to create second largest public endowment, $7.8B.

“2) Michigan lost more residents under 40 years than any other state, and was the only state with fewer residents in 2010 than 2000.

“Therefore:

“Highly qualified Michigan high school grads are the priority; hundreds of our most highly qualified students are forced to leave the state for their education, frequently never to return. Continue to recruit the very best nonresidents.

“STEM degree graduates will enter a tuition refund program funded by the endowment starting after five years of work in Michigan.

“Open office hours two days per month.

“The U-M budget is $6B, $4B is Med Center and NIH grants. It is time for a physician with a financial, clinical research and medical education experience to be on the board.”

Gregory Scott Stempfle

Party affiliation: Libertarian

Website: www.lpwm.org/GregoryStempfle

Gerald T. Van Sickle

Party affiliation: U.S. Taxpayers

Website: N/A