In order to maintain a diverse campus while following the state's new ban on affirmative action policies, U-M has launched Diversity Blueprints, which asks the entire campus community to contribute ideas for enhancing diversity at U-M.

Related Story: U-M restarts admissions without affirmative action

This month the university briefly halted its admissions for 2007-08, then restarted the process in accordance with Michigan's new constitutional amendment banning affirmative action. The new admission policy will not discriminate against, nor grant preferential treatment to, any individual on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.

University of Michigan researchers are leading an 11-university consortium to gather and bank DNA samples from 3,000 autism patients over the next three years. Collecting the data will greatly speed up the process of finding the causes of autism.

By pointing out similarities between themselves and assailants, potential victims may be able to defuse violence before it happens, says a study from U-M researchers. The finding applies to violence committed by people who are narcissists, and who strike out when they receive a blow to their inflated egos.

If you happen to see a bunch of U-M students wearing surgical masks, don't panic. More than 2,000 of them will be participating in a study to determine the best way to prevent the spread of influenza. Some will wear masks and others will wash their hands frequently to help determine if these steps actually help as much as doctors believe.

Nicholas Delbanco has written dozens of books, from fiction to nonfiction to writerly advice. Former director of U-M's creative writing program, he remains head of the Hopwood Awards, and was recently named Distinguished University Professor. And he's just published another excellent book, "Spring and Fall." You can listen to him read an excerpt here.

The list of musician Derek Bermel's (MMI '93, DMA '98) talents, interests and achievements is far too long to fit here. Suffice it to say he's written acclaimed jazz, classical, and chamber works, performed in the world's great venues, won music's big prizes and also plays in a rock band. Listen to his composition "Quartet" here.

Former President Bill Clinton will deliver the spring 2007 commencement address at the University of Michigan. "President Clinton is a thoughtful and captivating speaker with tremendous insight into the global challenges of our time," said U-M President Mary Sue Coleman. "We are looking forward to his visit and his message to our graduates."

Together, Michigan's big three public universities, U-M, Michigan State, and Wayne State, bring more than $1.3 billion in federal research grants to the state. They generate an average of one invention every day. Now these schools are coordinating their efforts to transform, strengthen and diversify Michigan's economy.

U-M researchers have found new ways to create anti-cancer compounds from blue-green algae, the gunk that makes some lakes such a smelly mess. Though still a long way from clinical use, the compounds push the progress toward new drugs and treatments.