President Mary Sue Coleman speaks to U-M’s Association of Black Professionals, Administrators, Faculty and Staff April 10 at the Michigan League.

The president addressed questions about diversity, affirmative action and the budget. She vowed the University will continue to promote diversity to the fullest extent allowed by law.

“We know that what we do works, and that it is important,” she said of the University’s admissions policies. “We have stood up for our principles, and history will judge us well.”

In response to a question about whether there will be a disproportionate effect of budget cuts on minority staff and faculty, she said, “I would certainly be distressed if there were. … Any and all staff cuts will be taken fairly and reluctantly, as a last resort,” she said. “Nobody will be dealt with unjustly.” (Photo by Martin Vloet, U-M Photo Services)