U-of-M Regents Vice Chair Sviggum apologizes for asking whether “too much diversity” on Morris campus

Amid calls for his resignation, U-of-M Board of Regents Vice Chair Steve Sviggum “unequivocally” apologized for asking whether “too much diversity” factors into declining enrollment at the Morris campus.  This, from last week’s board meeting:

“I’m on thin ice, I understand that, but at 71, 72 years old, I say things that I would never even have thought when I was 52.”

Sviggum initially defended his inquiry, saying it was a question, not a comment, prompted by two letters from friends whose children he said will not be attending U-Morris because they don’t feel comfortable there.  But today Sviggum in a statement says he’s “truly sorry” to those he offended and his questions “were not intended to cause harm, but my intent does not matter.”