Distinctions are made between tolerance, tacit approval, and acceptance, particularly within the context of culture and social power structure. It is concluded that in a world of unequal power, claims of tolerance on the part of the powerful who do nothing to assist the powerless whom they tolerate are unacceptable. (MSE)

Good departmental practices can help women and minority faculty thrive and make the greatest possible contribution to the academic enterprise. Several recent books have explored what is wrong with the current way of doing business. In this article, the author outlines steps to bring U.S. minority and European American women faculty--at both the…

Argues that preferential treatment of women and minorities in the selection of college faculty elevates a form of corruption to standard administrative practice by including people in academic life on the basis of characteristics irrelevant to teaching and research; and previous unjust treatment is inadequate justification for preferential…

Suggests that tenure, rather than discriminating against minorities and women, benefits these groups by protecting their academic freedom in the classroom and by encouraging depth in scholarship, and also by adding to a democratic balance of power between faculty and administrators. Urges a more open tenure review process to eliminate elements of…

Three dimensions of the financial aid delivery system that disproportionately discourage minority students from seeking or achieving admission to colleges and universities are discussed: information inequities, negative consequences of system complexity, and institutional aid practices. (MLW)

In this article, the author discusses Portland Community College's Illumination Project, a yearlong academic theater program that tackles issues of oppression through interactive classroom and community performances. Participants write original interactive plays depicting incidents of oppression in students' lives. The project is a central aspect…

The promise of equality in American higher education has gone unfulfilled for too long. The American Council on Education and the Education Commission of the States' report on the status of minorities in higher education, entitled "One-Third of a Nation," is a reminder of the urgency of providing equity. (MSE)

American educators persist in thinking of the typical American college student as being under age 22, although statistics do not support this. There are steady increases in the enrollment of nontraditional students, especially women, which will affect curriculum design. (MLW)

The development of applicable affirmative action legislation and practice and the current role of the affirmative action officer are discussed. Threats to affirmative action and possible answers to those threats are identified, and specific ways by which the affirmative action officer's role might be strengthened are described. (MLW)

Affirmative action in college faculty recruitment and selection is discussed, distinguishing between procedural and preferential affirmative action. Negative effects of preferential affirmative action on students, faculty, and the institution are examined. Other issues explored include democratic values, bias in the search process, and the…

Argues that if higher education is to get rid of affirmative action, it should first discontinue special admission of less qualified candidates who are admitted because they are athletes, alumni children, or the children of friends of administrators. Reports on a survey of 52 black college students concerning effects of affirmative action. (MSE)

A 1992 conference on the status of minorities in higher education is summarized. Issues addressed include speech codes on college campuses, sexual harassment and power, minority scholarships, equal access to higher education under the law, and the need to redress both current inequities and the cumulative effect of discrimination in education.…