This is the 13th paper in the Association of Governing Boards (AGB's) series summarizing federal and state public policy issues affecting higher education. Governing boards, institutional and university-system leaders, and senior staffs will find it useful for board discussions and retreats and in formulating institutional responses to these…

A principle responsibility of a board member is to understand the environment in which his or her institution operates. Today, that environment includes a host of legal risks that every institution of higher education must be prepared to assess and proactively address. Colleges and universities work to contain and manage those risks through such…

The U.S. Supreme Court's decisions in 2003 in the affirmative action cases of "Gratz v. Bollinger" (2003) and "Grutter v. Bollinger" (2003), sometimes referred to as the "Michigan cases," provided the first indication of the role that race-conscious admission policies will play in higher education in the new century since the Court's decision…

This manual is designed for the equity professional who wishes to increase the participation of women and minority groups in leadership roles in athletics. The model was developed by Educators for Athletic Equity (EAE) and provides a data and knowledge base necessary for implementing a successful athletic equity project. The specific goals…

British laws on education and sex discrimination do not afford girls equality of education. However, Britain's integration into the European Economics Community (EEC) may result in liberalization of laws as a result of European influence. (DM)

The Supreme Court decision in "Johnson v. Transportation Agency" supports affirmative action in principle. However, the types of affirmative action the courts will allow will continue to vary significantly. Questions and answers provide guidance for educational institutions. (MLF)

Review of employment laws affecting libraries includes definitions of qualified personnel, laws pertaining to medical and honesty testing, affirmative action, and sexual harassment. Laws covering crime within libraries are also discussed, as well as problems with existing legislation. (CLB)

The leadership of higher education, represented by governing boards and presidents, must renew a commitment to affirmative action and equal employment opportunity as a vehicle of social justice, as a model for other institutions of society to emulate. (Author/MSE)

Examines the implications of court cases challenging the legality of affirmative action policies of college and university financial aid programs. Explains five exceptions to requirements that such programs be race-neutral. These exceptions are: when aid is for disadvantaged students, authorized by Congress, to remedy the effects of past…

The Principal's Legal Handbook contains information and recommendations for practice in four areas. Section 1, "Students and the Law," yields interesting and informative answers on a number of issues related to students and the law: recent issues in schools relative to students' rights; the use of technology; and the latest case law and…

Offers brief summaries of upcoming Supreme Court cases that have implications for education, including two cases involving religion, affirmative action, and school policy regarding employees and students who have Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) or carry AIDS antibodies. (DMM)

Two decades of affirmative action have not substantially altered the percentage of women and minorities in higher education faculty and professional ranks. Although continued attention to affirmative action is important, institutions should not let their guidelines channel and truncate the screening process so as to overlook stronger candidates.…

An Asian-American college admissions director discusses affirmative action based on his own experiences and the comments of Shelby Steele, an African-American critic of affirmative action. He argues that affirmative action promotes distrust and self-doubt. He proposes that honest self-assessment is more productive and affirmative action should not…

Division over the aims of affirmative action and the loyalties and aspirations of various interest groups have betrayed the policy's original purpose. The public's attention has been shifted away from discriminatory practices and appropriate remedies. Higher education must rethink and reform the whole process before it becomes compromised by…

Argues that the two best means for achieving diversity and leadership in college and university information management are affirmative action (defined as actively seeking out talent wherever it resides) and formal mentoring programs. Describes mentorship as an individual commitment to seeking out, identifying, and developing the leaders of the…