The next conversation on diversity on Wednesday will focus on the potential impact the University of Michigan affirmative action and admissions policy decisions may have on Iowa State.

People from every facet of the university are invited to join the President’s Advisory Committee on Diversity for the third installment of the conversations, which will be held at 12:40 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. A panel of university experts will discuss the case, which is under review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Paul Tanaka, chief university counsel, will discuss the history of affirmative action and the legal context of the Supreme Court debate.

“The conversation will deal with a lot of ‘what ifs,'” said Thomas Hill, vice president for Student Affairs.

The admissions process will not change because it does not have any special consideration for race. Race-specific academic support programs, the premise of which is to increase the number of under-represented students, may be forced to be more inclusive, Hill said.

Carla Espinoza, assistant vice president for human resources and director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, will address the history of affirmative action — “how it has helped and who it has served,” said Karla Hardy, Government of the Student Body director of diversity.

Marc Harding, director of Admissions, will discuss the demographics of Iowa, explain what his office is doing to attract and enroll minority students and describe how diversity benefits all students.

“[Iowa State] hopes to train students to be citizens of the world,” he said.

After the panelists have spoken, the session will be open for questions.

The president and his administration are interested in having more student participation and input, Hardy said. President Gregory Geoffroy will then end the conversations with closing comments.

A buffet-style lunch will be served between 11:30 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union to those attending.

Pre-registration is required. Students should register via e-mail to [email protected]. Faculty and staff should register through AccessPlus.