Bob Laird spent 25 years at the University of California at Berkeley during a time when the school and the state often found itself center stage in the fight foror againstaffirmative action policies in college admissions.

The retired administrator and book author will talk about the importance of a diverse higher education population when he comes to the West Virginia University campus Monday, Oct. 17, to take part in a Diversity Day Student Forum. Student leaders and members of student organizations are encouraged to attend the 4-5:30 p.m. session in Room 205 Martin Hall, Downtown Campus.

Laird retired in 1999 as undergraduate admissions director at UC-Berkeley while becoming nationally known as an advocate of affirmative action.

He is the author ofThe Case for Affirmative Action in University Admissions.

He will also sign copies of that book from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Monday at the WVU Bookstore. The public is welcome.