While the comments Andrew Shirvell has made are hurtful, all they’ve done is add to his desire to continue serving the students who elected him, University of Michigan student body President Chris Armstrong said today.

Armstrong has been under attack by Shirvell, an U-M alumnus and Michigan assistant attorney general, for what Shirvell calls his “radical homosexual agenda.” Shirvell has blogged about Armstrong and shown at up public and private events to protest him.

Chris Armstrong, right, is shown at the last Michigan Student Assembly meeting.

Armstrong has filed for a personal protection order banning Shirvell from coming near him. That request will be heard in court on Oct. 25. U-M has barred Shirvell from its campus.

Armstrong took time during his regular speaking slot at the monthly Board of Regents meeting to talk briefly about the controversy today.

“This situation is unfortunate,” he said. “It has only motivated me to continue my service to the (students).”

Armstrong thanked those in the campus community who have supported him. He also said he hopes it will help the campus community talk more about issues.

And Armstrong also thanked those students who have been wearing “Elected by Us, Respected by Us” T-shirts in support of him.

The university’s Board of Regents also addressed the issue Thursday by issuing a statement.

“When we first became aware of the targeting of one of our students, we sent a swift and powerful message: This must stop,” said the statement, which was read by board chair Julia Darlow. “As we said at our Sept. 16 meeting, ‘When one member of our community is targeted, we are all attacked.’

“As the elected governing body of the University of Michigan, we want to express our unequivocal support for the decisive way the university has responded to the unfortunate situation.

“We are proud of the way the Division of Student Affairs immediately reached out to offer support to our students. We are encouraged by the coordinated approach from many units and individuals throughout the university community to address this situation with thoughtfulness and compassion.

“Looking ahead, we will remain ever vigilant to unacceptable displays of intolerance.

“At the University of Michigan, we often speak of the Michigan Difference, those unique attributes that set us apart. Today, we appreciate the values that are common to all of us.”

David Jesse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.