Affirmative Action has long been, and continues to be a highly divisive subject in the U.S. As such, it is one subject that seems to be particularly mired in the muck of misperception, misinformation, and ambiguous "They say..." sources of information.
The role of Affirmative Action in the higher education admissions process has long been shaped by protests, lawsuits, legislation, and federal intervention. Presented in this article is an overview of the perspectives both for and against, as well as a discussion of the lingering myths that continue to shape decisions regarding this issue.
The role of Affirmative Action in the higher education admissions process has long been shaped by protests, lawsuits, legislation, and federal intervention. Presented in this article is an overview of the perspectives both for and against, as well as a discussion of the lingering myths that continue to shape decisions regarding this issue.
Current Status
In recent years, White students have become increasingly vocal about their concern that Affirmative Action fosters "reverse racism" - that it shifts the college admissions balance in favor of non-Whites. Some have chosen to pursue legal action, ironically claiming that they are unable to get into college because of Affirmative Action - a program that was implemented to minimize the impact of past (and present) discrimination and ensure that a level playing field exists for all.
Supporters of Affirmative Action argue that it is a critical program and that without it, non-Whites in this country would continue to experience the damaging effects of discrimination - particularly barriers to entry in employment and education.
Some have pointed out the particular challenges that exists in the college admissions process over the employment process - specifically, noting that the admissions decision-making process is far less clear cut than the employment decision-making process. In hiring, a more definitive decision about skill and experience can usually be made when assessing a candidate's ability to assume a particular role. In the college admissions process however, such assessment is less definitive given that colleges most often consider not just grades, but other activities and background information (e.g. personal interviews, essays, extracurricular activities) that will indicate whether or not a prospective student is likely to thrive in the college environment.
Supporters of Affirmative Action argue that it is a critical program and that without it, non-Whites in this country would continue to experience the damaging effects of discrimination - particularly barriers to entry in employment and education.
Some have pointed out the particular challenges that exists in the college admissions process over the employment process - specifically, noting that the admissions decision-making process is far less clear cut than the employment decision-making process. In hiring, a more definitive decision about skill and experience can usually be made when assessing a candidate's ability to assume a particular role. In the college admissions process however, such assessment is less definitive given that colleges most often consider not just grades, but other activities and background information (e.g. personal interviews, essays, extracurricular activities) that will indicate whether or not a prospective student is likely to thrive in the college environment.
History
The debate all began in 1961, when President John F. Kennedy's Executive Order 10925 created the Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity and instructed federal constractors to take "affirmative action to ensure that applicants are treated equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin." It continued in 1978 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the use of race as a factor in choosing among qualified applicants for college admission in the Uiversity of California v. Bakke case.
Perhaps less well recognized is that the Supreme Court also ruled unlawful the Medical School's practice of using quotas - reserving 18 seats in each entering class of 100 for disadvantaged minority students. These rulings set the stage for the continuing battle regarding proper and improper application of Affirmative Action.
Needless to say, the future of Affirmative Action rests on shaky ground today. Recent challenges and subsequent rulings have begun to crack the very foundations of this program. For example, California felt the effects of its ban on the use of affirmative action in the admissions process at the University of California when Berkeley saw a 61% drop in admissions of African-American, Latinos, and Native American students; UCLA saw a 36% decline. Given the lower numbers of these students entering higher education in general, these drops represent a significant shift.
Most Americans agree that discrimination and its effects are undesirable, and that likewise, a lack of diversity in education is also undesirable. So where is the gap between the two perspectives?
Article continues...Find out what opposers and advocates think about Affirmative Action in higher education
Perhaps less well recognized is that the Supreme Court also ruled unlawful the Medical School's practice of using quotas - reserving 18 seats in each entering class of 100 for disadvantaged minority students. These rulings set the stage for the continuing battle regarding proper and improper application of Affirmative Action.
Needless to say, the future of Affirmative Action rests on shaky ground today. Recent challenges and subsequent rulings have begun to crack the very foundations of this program. For example, California felt the effects of its ban on the use of affirmative action in the admissions process at the University of California when Berkeley saw a 61% drop in admissions of African-American, Latinos, and Native American students; UCLA saw a 36% decline. Given the lower numbers of these students entering higher education in general, these drops represent a significant shift.
Most Americans agree that discrimination and its effects are undesirable, and that likewise, a lack of diversity in education is also undesirable. So where is the gap between the two perspectives?
Article continues...Find out what opposers and advocates think about Affirmative Action in higher education