At many universities and colleges across this nation there is an annual commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his vision of "a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." At these ceremonies, it is common for various campus leaders and administrators to vow renewed…

At the heart of the discussion in this special issue on race and affirmative action is the issue of whether race should be used as a category in admissions policies of South African universities. In my contribution I shall argue that there are no races. By race I mean the idea that skin colour (or other phenotypical features) associated with…

The compelling essays in this issue of the journal take on the often contentious and complex issue of racial affirmative action. I do not wish to repeat the arguments authors offer either in defence or against student admissions to a university on the grounds of race, (dis)advantage, class, gender, and so on. Rather, I wish to respond to a…

Educational programs for gifted students face both philosophical and practical challenges from egalitarians. Some object that gifted schools inherently undermine a commitment to equality in education, while others observe that schools for talented students cater to privileged youth and effectively discriminate against disadvantaged minorities.…

Three issues in the controversy over special admissions programs to higher education are presented. It is argued (1) that academic achievement need not be the sole criterion for admissions; (2) that race and sex can serve as qualifications for admission; and (3) that there are moral grounds for special admissions. (JMF)

Introductory comments for a seminar on the Bakke decision and implications for the issue of equity of access are presented. It is suggested that before the Bakke case public support for affirmative action admissions programs was diminishing; and that if affirmative action had continued as it was being operated, its negative effects may have been…

The question of how graduate schools can include race as an admission criteria and give equitable treatment in admissions decisions is addressed by considering some aspects of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores and the use and misuse of test scores in admissions procedures. The GRE is used in admissions procedures to prove an…

Perspectives on the Bakke Supreme Court decision are considered. It is claimed that some of the distortions in the public perception of the Bakke case are the responsibility of the media coverage. Although the Court said that race may be a factor in the admissions process, many people, with the effect of headlines of "Bakke Wins," think…

Bakke's equal protection holding is analyzed and an assessment is offered of what the decisions mean for academic special admissions programs. Discussion focuses on how race may be used as a factor in admissions decisions consistently with the equal protection clause of the Federal Constitution. (Author/MSE)

Perspectives on the Supreme Court's decision in Bakke are considered. It is suggested that the decision was like a remand to the nation and especially to the universities to try to devise and work toward affirmative action programs within certain parameters. Justice Powell gives the schools a great degree of latitude but does give guidance for the…