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Two lawsuits filed in 1997 (Gratz, et al. v. Bollinger; and Grutter, et al. v. Bollinger) made the University of Michigan a focal point in the national debate over the value and legality of affirmative action in higher education. The lawsuits brought by non-minority applicants challenged the legality of the university's admissions process. Documentation includes briefs, judicial orders and opinions, expert reports, trial transcripts and exhibits, and amicus briefs from companies and organizations supporting the university's position in both the Gratz and Grutter case. Also included are snapshot of the university's admissions lawsuits website and clippings and media files.

The records are organized in four series, Grutter v. Bollinger, et al., Gratz v. Bollinger, et al., Admissions Lawsuits Website and News Media. The first three series contain briefs, judicial orders and opinions, experts' reports, amicus briefs from companies and organizations supporting the university's position in the lawsuits, and a limited number of press releases and documents printed from the website maintained by the university's News and Information Services regarding the lawsuits. The News Media series, however, is entirely comprised of news articles, editorials and press releases from newspapers across the country. Note that the record group currently contains only public documents. It does not contain internal General Counsel documents or correspondence regarding the lawsuits.

Teacher, writer, member of feminist organizations. Materials relating to her involvement with the University of Michigan Commission for Women, Ann Arbor Focus on Equal Opportunity for Women, PROBE into the Status of Women at The University of Michigan, and the Ad Hoc Committee Concerned That President Fleming Does Not Meet With Women.

The papers of Jeanne Tashian, 1970-1976, primarily relate to the feminist movement in Ann Arbor and at the University of Michigan between 1970 and 1973. Most of the files relate to her various organizational interests and activities.

Virginia Nordby was a lawyer and University of Michigan administrator with positions as director of the Office of Affirmative Action, policy advisor to the president, university freedom of information officer, associate vice-president for government relations and associate vice-president for student affairs. In addition to her duties at the University, she served as a consultant for the Michigan Women's Task Force on Rape, and served as the pricipal drafter of the Michigan Criminal Sexual Conduct Act of 1974. Her work largely focused on affirmative action, Title IX and equality for women in college sports, and addressing sexual violence on campus. This collection includes Nordby's files from her time as policy coordinator, her research topical files, other professional files, and photographs. Also included are files relating to the formulation of the university's student discriminatory policy and to her work as consultant to the Michigan Women's Task Force on Rape.

The Virginia Nordby Papers (1972-1992) document the professional activities of Virginia Nordby during her tenure as a University of Michigan administrator and Law School lecturer. The papers have been divided into three principal series: University Policy and Affirmative Action, Topical Files, and Professional Files.

Series one, University Policy and Affirmative Action contains files relating to Nordby's work for the University of Michigan, including research and policy proposals regarding the student code of conduct, faculty and staff policies, and student affairs. Series two contains Nordby's topical research files relating to her university work and other professional work, namely student discriminatory policy, Title IX and Athletics, and Labor issues. Series three, Professional Files, contains files related to Nordby's legal work, consulting, and speeches given outside of her capacity as a University of Michigan administrator.

Researchers should note that the language used in the collection and finding aid surrounding sexual violence reflects the language in use during Virginia Nordby's career. Some of the language in the descriptive notes has been updated to include currently accepted terminology in 2023. All folder titles in this collection are original, and reflect the language in use during Nordby's career. Original folder titles may include outdated or harmful descriptive language. Original folder titles have been maintained to preserve the original context of how the creator labeled their files.

History honors student and reporter for the Michigan Daily, student newspaper for the University of Michigan. Includes history honors thesis (and background material) "Urban Renewal in Postwar Detroit: The Gratiot Area Redevelopment Plan," material for a mini-course on student activism at Michigan, and material collected for newspaper stories relating to campus issues, especially affirmative action, and the related group, By Any Means Necessary (BAMN). Also material on Michigamua and Vulcans.

The Goodspeed collection is divided into two series: Academics and Journalism Topics. The collection consists primarily of printouts of reports and e-mail correspondence, flyers for campus events. There are also police reports, decisions from court cases, and material acquired through Freedom of Information (FOIA) requests.

Federal judge and former professor of law at the University of Michigan. Professional files relating to membership on board of directors of Amtrak, his work as chairman of the rules and credentials committee of the National Women's Conference, 1975, and as member of the executive committee of the Association of American Law Schools; also other files concerning his interest in labor arbitration cases, and his involvement in problems of affirmative action and minority rights at the University.

The Harry T. Edwards papers primarily document his tenure ad a board member and chairman of the board of AMTRAK. There are also files on University of Michigan Law School affairs and several labor arbitration cases in which Edward's participated. Other activities documented include his work as chairman of the rules and credentials committee of the National Women's Conference, 1975, and as member of the executive committee of the Association of American Law Schools; also other files concerning his interest in labor arbitration cases, and his involvement in problems of affirmative action and minority rights at the University.

Regent of the University of Michigan. Topical files relating to his activities as a regent and the issues and problems affecting the University of Michigan.

The Gerald R. Dunn collection consists of those materials accumulated as regent of the University of Michigan, 1969 to 1985. The files have been arranged into two alphabetical subseries: 1969-1976 files and 1977-1984 files. The files relate to such issues as affirmative action, the Black Action Movement, the discussion over the University's participation in DNA research, the development of the Flint and Dearborn campuses, student activism, and other issues during the presidencies of Robben W. Fleming and Harold Shapiro.