Thomas J. Haas

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Thomas J. Haas is the fourth and current president of Grand Valley State University. He also serves as a chemistry professor.

Prior to coming to GVSU, Haas served as president of the State University of New York at Cobleskill from 2003 to 2006.

On his first day on the job at GVSU, students gave him the endearing nickname, "T-Haas."^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Education

Graduated with honors in 1973 from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Master of Science in environmental health sciences from the University of Michigan.
Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
PhD in Chemistry from University of Connecticut.

[edit] Military service

Over twenty years service in the U. S. Coast Guard including two years service on-board the Coast Guard Cutter Acacia homeported in Port Huron, Michigan.

[edit] Affirmative action

Despite the passing of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, which prohibits the use of affirmative action in the state, Haas expressed his discontent in a letter to the faculty, staff and students of Grand Valley State University:

"I am very disappointed by the passage of Proposal 2 and wish the voters had decided otherwise. Grand Valley's mission, vision and values will not change. We will continue to strive for diversity within all of our campus communities. It is clear to me that lawyers and courts will be involved in questions about Proposal 2 for many years ahead. In California a similar proposal is still being litigated years after its passage. Grand Valley's admissions process will not be affected by Proposal 2 because race is not a factor in admissibility. As we further analyze the impact of Proposal 2, we will share information on how Grand Valley will continue to move ahead."Thomas J. Haas (November 8, 2006). "Message from President Haas" (Email).