Reps. Waters, Accavitti, Anderson, Byrnes, Clack, Cushingberry, Farrah, Gonzales, Kathleen Law, Lemmons, III, Lemmons, Jr., Miller, Murphy, Sak, Virgil Smith, Tobocman, Vagnozzi and Wojno offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 59.

            A resolution urging Wayne State University to reconsider the closing of its College of Urban, Labor, and Metropolitan Affairs.

Whereas, Wayne State University established the College of Urban, Labor, and Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA) in 1985 to coordinate and strengthen programming that advances the university’s urban mission; and

            Whereas, CULMA maintains a special commitment to address the social, economic, and political issues facing urban areas generally – and Detroit particularly. CULMA serves as the university’s center for research, teaching, community engagement, and policy analysis in urban affairs and workplace issues; and

            Whereas, The college houses 14 departments, centers, and programs that produce significant studies for the surrounding community. CULMA makes substantial outreach efforts for the nontraditional student. CULMA is an interdisciplinary setting that exists as an urban lighthouse for education agendas within the City of Detroit; and

Whereas, The far-reaching consequences for employees, students, faculty, and supporters  from the closure have not been addressed. Prospective CULMA students want to secure degrees within CULMA. That is why they intentionally selected Detroit and the College of Urban, Labor, and Metropolitan Affairs, and not Liberal Arts, Social Work, Education or other colleges; and

Whereas, We recognize the significant academic contributions of CULMA and the disadvantageous effects that would result if CULMA were dissolved. If CULMA closed, Detroit will lose a strong foundation from its edifice. In addition, we urge President Reid, the Provost, and the Board of Governors to examine any and all alternatives that would prevent the closing of the college; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge Wayne State University to reconsider the closing of its College of Urban, Labor, and Metropolitan Affairs; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the administrators of Wayne State University as evidence  of  our support of  the College of Urban, Labor, and Metropolitan Affairs.