U of M Regent Steve Sviggum apologizes after asking if Morris campus is "too diverse"
MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota Board of Regents Vice Chair Steve Sviggum is facing backlash after comments he made during a Board of Regents meeting on Oct. 13 about enrollment.
Sviggum, a former Republican speaker of the Minnesota House, asked Morris campus Acting Chancellor Janet Schrunk Eriksen this question: "Is it possible that at Morris we've become too diverse? Is that possible, all from a marketing standpoint?"
He pointed to declining enrollment and increased diversity.
"I have received a couple letters, two actually, from friends whose children are not going to go to Morris because it is too diverse, let's say, of a campus. They just didn't feel comfortable there," said Sviggum.
Schrunk Eriksen responded to his question saying she had recently met with BIPOC students who would "be shocked that anyone would think our campus was too diverse."
According to enrollment data collected by the university, 1,068 students are enrolled this fall, down from 1,946 in 2013. The majority of students are White at 54%, followed by American Indian (31.6%.) Qualified Native students attend campus tuition free.
Some of the campus buildings were once an American Indian Boarding School.
Board of Regents Chair Ken Powell released this statement on the matter:
I am aware of the comments made by Regent Steve Sviggum since last week's presentation by Interim Chancellor Janet Schrunk Ericksen of the University of Minnesota Morris. Interim Chancellor Ericksen's comments during the Board's meeting strongly resonate with me. Our diversity is a strength, it creates opportunity, and it opens the door for many more who have been historically excluded from the economic and other benefits of higher education. This Board has been a strong supporter of the diversity efforts of this administration, whether in employment or student enrollment. We have voiced our support and our pride in the results, knowing that across the broad spectrum of diversity, the University is a leader -regionally and nationally - in ensuring that all Minnesotans have access to the strength of the University of Minnesota.
Sviggum doubled down on his comments as a guest Monday on "The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar" on WCCO Radio.
"It's fair to at least ask the question. I don't see asking a question as being offensive or wrong, and certainly, certainly not racist, Vineeta," Sviggum said.
Sviggum then released this written statement Tuesday, where he apologized:
Last week, during University of Minnesota Morris Interim Chancellor Ericksen's presentation on MPact 2025 enrollment goals at Morris, I posed a question regarding the diversity of the student body and whether that diversity was—in any way—linked to the recent enrollment challenges.
Let me unequivocally apologize for my questions, and especially for the unintended hurt my questions may have caused. They were not intended to cause harm, but my intent does not matter. For those whom I have harmed or offended, and for all of those associated with our great university, I am truly sorry. I have only respect and admiration for any individual who seeks to better themselves through higher education, whether at Morris or at any of our wonderful campuses. Minnesota benefits from our many amazing students from all walks of life who make incredible contributions to our community, and their work strengthens the great state of Minnesota. I hope that all of our graduates elect to stay in Minnesota after graduation and work, every day, for the betterment of our state.
My intent – recognizing that my words matter – was to foster discussion around the consistently declining enrollment at Morris, which is not a one-year trend or even a concern that has emerged out of the COVID pandemic. Rather, student enrollment has been declining for years (down 50% from its peak) and the future of this great campus depends on finding solutions to reverse that trend.
I have been blessed throughout my life as a farmer to work with a diversity of people across our state and our nation from all backgrounds. As a layperson in my church, I have shared the joys and heartbreaks of so many of my fellow parishioners. And as a proud Regent, I have been given the incredible opportunity to help our institution, our president, and our students, staff, and faculty who set a very high bar for the rest of us.
Again, I offer my sincerest apologies. I clearly have more to learn to better understand the strength that diversity brings to our institution, and I look forward to taking those who have reached out to me up on their offers to meet and to hear their perspectives and learn from them. I am willing to learn and I must do better—and I will.
Morris Campus Student Association President Dylan Young sent a letter to Sviggum opening up about his experience as a BIPOC student on campus.
"'Uncomfortable' is the same word I would use to describe some of my experiences as a Native American college student," Young said.
The letter was signed by more than 200 students. Young said they invited him to campus and heard back from Sviggum Monday, who agreed to come visit.
"It is unbelievable that someone would think diversity is part of that problem," Young said. "I think it's part of the solution."
In a statement, Acting Chancellor Schrunk Ericksen said in part, "I am proud of the Morris campus community and its inclusive voices, and I will continue to support our efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion as integral parts of our liberal arts mission."