Amir Makled, a candidate for the University of Michigan Board of Regents, engaged with students during a roundtable discussion hosted by the College Democrats on the evening of October 10, 2023. The event took place at the Ford School of Public Policy and focused on key issues such as accessibility, accountability, and the challenges of affordability in higher education.
The meeting allowed students to voice their concerns directly to Makled, who emphasized the need for the Board of Regents to be more responsive to student needs. Stella Camerlengo, co-president of the College Democrats and a junior in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, opened the discussion by highlighting the importance of having direct conversations with candidates who influence university policy. “It’s crucial for students to connect with those who essentially control everything,” Camerlengo stated.
Makled, a graduate of the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a civil rights attorney for the past fifteen years, voiced his apprehensions regarding the current board’s approach to student activism. His experiences, particularly following a detainment by federal immigration agents in April 2025 linked to his legal support for protesters advocating for Gaza, deeply inform his candidacy. “Students were being charged criminally. That’s unacceptable,” he remarked. “We must support students and uphold their right to express dissent, which is fundamental to higher education.”
Students at the event expressed frustration over the board’s perceived lack of engagement with the student body. Makled remarked on the disappointment of regents not actively participating in discussions with students. “How shameful that a regent doesn’t come and speak to the core of what their service is—the students,” he noted.
Plans for Campus Equity and Accessibility
Makled’s vision includes enhancing the visibility of the University of Michigan’s campuses in Flint and Dearborn. He proposes to increase financial support and resources for students at these locations, acknowledging that they currently receive significantly less funding compared to the Ann Arbor campus. “Dearborn and Flint are lacking in investment,” he explained. “They receive about 15 to 20% less in terms of faculty wages compared to what their counterparts earn here in Ann Arbor.”
Moreover, he aims to establish a constituent panel through Michigan Medicine within the first 90 days of his election. This initiative would foster a space for community members and hospital employees to voice their concerns and experiences. “I need to be held accountable to the promises of the community,” Makled stated. “If I can’t deliver on what the people are speaking to me, then I’m not doing a service.”
Makled also addressed the rising cost of education, asserting that the board must prioritize affordability to alleviate financial burdens on students. “It shouldn’t cost $60,000 a year to attend college, nor should students graduate with $500,000 in debt,” he said. He believes public universities should be accessible and affordable, echoing the values of a quality Michigan education.
Support for Divestment and Ethical Investments
During the discussion, Makled was asked about his stance on the Divest for Humanity Act, a resolution passed by the Central Student Government on November 18, 2023, but subsequently vetoed by its president. He expressed his support for divestment initiatives that align with ethical investment practices. “We should have ethical investments, just as we wouldn’t invest in gun manufacturing or tobacco companies,” Makled affirmed. “This is a fight we’ve been having for 20 years, and I would push for policies reflecting the values of our campus and the state of Michigan.”
Following the event, Claire Hakimian, a freshman, praised Makled’s willingness to engage with students. “I appreciate that he is here to listen and talk to us, as that’s what the regents board is supposed to represent,” she commented.
Makled is currently seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for the Board of Regents, competing alongside incumbents Jordan Acker and Paul Brown, who are both up for reelection. The Michigan Democratic Party plans to announce its endorsements at a convention in Detroit on April 19, 2025.
As the campaign progresses, Makled aims to amplify student voices and advocate for policies that prioritize accessibility, affordability, and ethical governance at the University of Michigan.
