The University Board of Regents commended the campus community’s response to the recent attacks against Michigan Student Assembly President Chris Armstrong at its monthly meeting yesterday.

At the meeting, Regent Julia Darlow (D–Ann Arbor) read a statement on behalf of the regents.

“As the elected governing body of the University of Michigan, we want to express our unequivocal support for the decisive way the University has responded to the unfortunate situation," Darlow said.

While the statement did not specifically mention Andrew Shirvell, an assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan who has recently spoken out against Armstrong, it indirectly called attention to his acts of discrimination.

“Looking ahead, we will remain ever vigilant to unacceptable displays of intolerance,” she continued. “At the University of Michigan, we often speak of the Michigan Difference, those unique attributes that set us apart. Today, we appreciate the values that are common to all of us.”

Shirvell has gained national attention for his criticism of Armstrong. On his blog, called Chris Armstrong Watch, Shirvell criticized Armstrong for his “radical homosexual agenda.”

Before the University’s Department of Public Safety banned Shirvell from University grounds, Shirvell protested at multiple events that Armstrong attended and spoke against Armstrong during an MSA meeting — calling for the president’s resignation.

In his monthly comments to the regents yesterday, Armstrong thanked the University community for its response.

“The support the University has expressed is incredibly humbling for me and has motivated me to keep moving in my service to the student body,” Armstrong said at yesterday’s meeting. “I would not be here if it were not for the University of Michigan and the reaction the University has taken reignites my faith in this institution.”

In a statement released yesterday, the Michigan Civil Rights Commission — a government body that investigates alleged acts of discrimination — condemned Shirvell for his actions, The Associated Press reported.

In the statement, the MCRC said Shirvell’s "conduct should not be tolerated from anyone, let alone a public official responsible for representing all people equally."

Last month, Armstrong filed a personal protection against Shirvell in a Washtenaw County court. According to an Oct. 13 AnnArbor.com article, Shirvell requested that Judge Nancy Harris recuse herself from the case. Harris’s sister, State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith (D–Salem), has openly criticized Shirvell, and Shirvell alleges that Harris would not be able to objectively rule on the case.

Harris will rule on the personal protection order on Oct. 25.

Regents approve additional $3 million for Crisler Arena renovations

The regents unanimously approved an additional $3 million for renovations to Crisler Arena at their meeting yesterday and authorized the project for bids and awarding of contracts.

At their July meeting, the regents approved a schematic design for the renovations. The project will include numerous structural and safety upgrades for the 43-year-old arena.

The original plan, passed by the regents in January, called for all the seats in the lower bowl of the arena to be replaced, the aisles widened and handrails added in order to make the arena comply with regulations from the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The arena’s roof will also be replaced and asbestos will be removed from the building.