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Public commenters urge preservation, divestment and community support at regents meeting
Summary
During public comment, speakers urged the regents to preserve part of Lansing Eastern High School, called for divestment over endowment investments tied to Gaza, and described union bargaining and international philanthropy efforts.
Public comment at the University of Michigan Board of Regents meeting in Flint covered a range of community concerns.
William Castanier of the Historical Society of Greater Lansing urged the university to preserve part of Lansing Eastern High School and questioned plans to demolish the 1919 Pond‑designed building, arguing preservation supports economic value and community identity.
Jenna Changizi criticized recent budget cuts to Flint humanities and undergraduate research and accused the university endowment of supporting violence abroad, saying, “The endowment is used to bomb schools in Gaza instead of building up hours,” and called on the university to divest and not criminalize student protesters.
Hiba Weiba Alama, speaking for UMFA‑AAUP Local 5671, thanked the regents and said the faculty bargaining unit has been recognized and is in active bargaining, and Michael Tenbusch recounted philanthropic projects that brought water systems to communities abroad.
The board received the comments during the public comment portion of the meeting; regents do not generally respond during public comment but acknowledged the speakers’ participation and thanked them for attending.
