I find it interesting that it wasn’t until the issue of race was
introduced in the admission process that [preferences] became ax issue.
It’s not until you talk about race that we’re seeing these kinds of
legal challenges.”
Washington — Affirmative action, racial preferences, and reverse
discrimination seem to be fighting words these days. And while no blows
were struck, panel members duked it out over the impact these catch
phrases will have on students of color at Black Issues in Higher
Education’s video-conference, “Recruitment and Admissions Dilemmas in
Higher Education.”
Moderated by Court TV anchor Carol Randolph, the six-member panel
considered what’s next for students of color in light of court and
voter decisions which have banned the use of racial preferences at
colleges and universities in both California and Texas. The recent drop
in numbers of minority students at campuses in these two states has
those who support diversity concerned about the fate of minority
students across the country.
“The task before colleges and admissions officers has always been
how to balance desires for equity and excellence and how to advance
them both simultaneously,” said Bob Schaeffer, public education
director at the National Center for Fair and Open Testing.
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Provost Dr. Nancy Cantor countered
that diversity and excellence are not necessarily two different things.
At Michigan, as diversity has gone up, so has excellence, she said.
“Our students of color bring exceptional qualities to our campuses,” Cantor said.
Cantor knows all too well about America’s controversy concerning
racial preferences. Her university is currently the target of
anti-affirmative action activists for its admissions policies.
Nevertheless, she was unyielding in her defense of the need for
diversity on college campuses.
