MSU Provost Kim Wilcox was placed in the hot seat during one of Assistant Professor Fayyaz Hussain's ISS 215 classes Monday, when Hussain instructed students to ask Wilcox "whatever is on your mind." Questions from students included topics ranging from environmental issues to ballot proposals.

Hussain said he wanted to get Wilcox's view on the accessibility of education — a topic that is part of Hussain's curriculum.

"I always try to bring in people from the outside because I teach something from my point of view, and more people's points of view are always good," Hussain said.

Wilcox began by giving background information about himself, in particular, his journey from an MSU student to the provost of the university he graduated from.

Question: Why have MSU officials not cut their contract with Coca-Cola Co. in response to the workers' rights issues in Colombia? The student also asked why MSU officials weren't present at an event that hosted a Colombian who worked at a Coco-Cola plant.

Answer: "It isn't as clear as either side suggests," Wilcox said. He said he was not the person in charge of making that decision, but he was included in the discussion.

University officials recently told The State News they were waiting on reports, which should be compiled at the beginning of the year, from the International Labour Organization, a U.N. group that promotes human and labor rights, before making a final decision about continuing the university's contract with the company.

To address his absence in the presentation, Wilcox said, "I didn't have enough time to get it on my calendar."

A student concerned about the amount of financial aid she receives because of her family's income asked what is the income range one has to fall into to receive tuition assistance.

"Wherever you draw the line, the person above and below is frustrated," Wilcox said. He said a cutoff is the most challenging part of any aid because no matter what, the "poor people" suffer. Financial aid was created in the 1960s to only help the very poor, he said. It was not seen as something that everyone could have, but as time went on, more people felt they deserved it.

What is MSU's stance regarding the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, a ballot proposal that could end preferential treatment of minorities in government and university programs if passed Nov. 7?

"We are the university," but the MSU Board of Trustees has not voted on the issue, Wilcox said. He added that MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon has made several statements about the issue, including that legislation by ballot initiative is a poor way to run a university, and that Simon encourages everyone to vote.

What is (Wilcox's) view on affirmative action?

Wilcox said he is proud of what he has accomplished, but also realizes he had advantages that other people didn't have.

"Affirmative action makes perfect sense," Wilcox said. "Something right now is out of balance, in terms of opportunities or advantages, and we have to find some way to set that straight."

What is the demographic breakdown in residence halls?

Seventeen percent of the freshman class was made up of minorities this year, he said. But where they live is a matter of individual choice.

A couple of options the university has are: giving students a choice in where they will live on campus or placing them near other students of the same race where they will feel more comfortable and become more involved.