The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents met Thursday evening at U-M Dearborn to discuss the University’s purchase of Concordia University Ann Arbor; Michigan Medicine’s discontinuation of gender-affirming care for minors; approve Gabriella Scarlatta as chancellor of U-M Dearborn; and hear public comments regarding U-M Dearborn’s student government. Regent Jordan Acker (D) was absent from the meeting amid investigations into alleged sexually obscene comments.
University President Domenico Grasso began the meeting by appointing Gabriella Scarlatta, interim chancellor of the University of Michigan–Dearborn campus, to be chancellor of U-M Dearborn. President Grasso commended Scarlatta for decades of excellent work at the University.
“It’s an even greater pleasure to recommend to the Board that the word interim be removed from Chancellor Scarlatta’s title, and that she be named the seventh Chancellor of U-M Dearborn,” Grasso said. “She has devoted 30 years to this university, and I’m confident she will further elevate its impact as a campus of opportunity that delivers a world-class, accessible education.”
Scarlatta’s appointment was approved by the Board.
The Board also discussed the University’s purchase of Concordia University Ann Arbor. University Regent Paul W. Brown (D) said Concordia contacted U-M and expressed interest in the University buying its property. Brown also said while the long-term use of the property is uncertain, it will accommodate the University’s expansion.
“Concordia reached out to us and expressed their interest and maybe requirement to sell it to another institute of education, and that was a reality that we were happy to take advantage of,” Brown said. “In the long term, we don’t know what we will put on that property. We do know that we’re an institution that is here to do the public good, and that often changes.”
Brown said he was excited to put the property to immediate use to fulfill short-term needs. He said the University plans to make Corcordia’s facilities available for local use while preserving the historic Earhart Mansion and Chapel of the Holy Trinity, along with both park and river access.
“I’ve already been in touch with some of the local schools and sports teams in the areas that need additional facilities, and we look forward to making it available to them, preserving the historic house and the chapel on the property and providing a park and river access along the Huron River,” Brown said.
The Board unanimously approved the purchase of the property despite opposition from the Ann Arbor City Council and state lawmakers.
The meeting was then opened for public comment. U-M Dearborn alum Rupinder Singh, outgoing president of U-M Dearborn Student Government, announced the creation of a coalition of student governments across the state of Michigan led by the U-M Dearborn student government. Singh said the association was formed during Michigan’s United Student Government Conference held at U-M Dearborn March 21.
“The conference brought together student leaders from universities across Michigan to discuss shared student concerns and opportunity for statewide advocacy,” Singh said. “From these conversations, student government began organizing into a broader association focusing on representing student needs beyond individual campuses. Six universities have already agreed to participate in this structure, and conversations are continuing with additional public universities across Michigan.”
Singh also voiced concerns about barriers between the students and administration, including the frequency and legitimacy of student representation.
“Dearborn Student Government requests it should be given the opportunity to speak at all regents meetings,” Singh said. “Student government reports should also be submitted directly to (the Board) without intermediate approval barriers so elected student voices can be shared clearly and independently and without unnecessary filtering. Student government also wishes to raise concern regarding student representation in leadership search processes.”
During the public hearing, Rebecca Najarian, Ann Arbor community member, said her child received life-saving gender-affirming care from Michigan Medicine and advocated for the reinstatement of such care for minors.
“Last year, without a fight, Michigan Medicine halted gender-affirming care for transgender youth,” Najarian said. “Let me remind you, gender-affirming care is legal in the state of Michigan. … The Trump administration used our transgender children as a campaign strategy. … I’m asking you to fight with us to protect our children’s medical records, to protect our doctors and care providers, to reinstate gender-affirming care to transgender youth.”
Jon Kinsey, vice president and secretary of the University, agreed with Najarian’s comments. Kinsey said he supports Najarian’s efforts and shared letters she had written with the Board.
“You and your kids are my heroes,” Kinsey said. “Thank you for all of the letters you wrote. I got them to all of the Regents, and trans care is healthcare.”
Daily Staff Reporter Emma Lombard can be reached at lombaemm@umich.edu.
