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College & University InformationIs Affirmative Action In Peril On College Campuses?
by:
Chris Davis
Affirmative action and else set-asides for minorities and women have move under increasing fire in recent years. These programs, 1st started decades ago, were once a given in higher education for everything from admission to business enterprise aid. Today, women and minority students cannot count on the same level assistance from affirmative action that their parents may have received.
The backlash against affirmative action comes mostly from the group that feels damaged by these programs--white males. As the standard of living for African Americans in the United States has risen, whites claim that the “leg up” provided by set-aside programs constitutes an unfair advantage. Similarly, white males point out that since women now do up the majority of college students, they can hardly claim discrimination. The critics of affirmative action promote a merit-based system, in which admission and scholarships are awarded to the most worthy, with race or gender not considered at all.
The only merit-based system, however, has itself move under attack. Supporters of affirmative action claim that there is no fair way to determine merit. Tests, like the SAT, have always make a mark inequality
in results between blacks and whites. Else factors used to rating college applicants, such as grade point averages and advanced placement classes, vary wide
from one school to another. In fact, many an minority leaders claim that there is no altogether objective way to measure ability. They believe that a person’s background or the obstacles he/she may have overcome are simply as important as grades and standardized tests. According to affirmative action supporters, the merit system fails to produce an element vital to higher education--diversity. This, they say, is necessary for a well-rounded college experience, as well as for social stability.
Despite the rhetoric and passions on several sides, the futurity of affirmative action is likely to be determined by the courts, not by the activists. Recent state court rulings have upheld policy changes in key states such as Texas, Florida, and California, that now restrict how schools can use race and gender as factors in decisive admission. Though the Supreme Court has not yet issued a definitive ruling, two things are now apparent. First, race cannot be the sole factor in decisive admission. Second, once
race is one of the factors, the school must demonstrate a compelling interest for the government to allow it. Exactly what constitutes a “compelling” interest remains to be seen.
In order to maintain diversity on their campuses, universities have developed innovative route of achieving the same goals without violating the new restrictions. Often called a “holistic” method, several schools now consider a variety of factors besides grades and test scores. For example, students who had a difficult house life or had to activity during their high school years in order to help keep their family may get special consideration. Furthermore, corporations and various private foundations have augmented their funding for minority scholarships in order to do up for any drop in federal or state-sponsored aid.
It is unlikely that affirmative action wish be altogether eliminated. Too many an schools are committed to maintaining a diverse student body. College administrators wish find one way or another to bring house the bacon balance in their admissions. However, if the current trends continue, women and minorities wish need to seek out new sources of college business enterprise aid, and develop new strategies for gaining entrance to the nation’s top universities.
Just about the author:
Chris Davis. Please visit http://www.educationwebresources.comfor the latest information on finding scholarships, college grants, and else useful resources for students and teachers.
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