A proposed revision in the American Bar Association's accrediting standards for law schools is coming under fire from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which says the proposal seems to require the schools to use racial preferences in hiring and admissions despite federal and state laws limiting such policies. Although a bar-association official…

On December 4, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in two significant affirmative-action cases. Each case--one from Seattle and the other from Louisville--involves the constitutional validity of school-district plans that consider race in assigning students to public schools. Determined parents from both cities will ask the court to declare the…

The higher education diversity programs that Texas enacted after "Hopwood v. University of Texas" banned affirmative action had unexpected positive consequences for the state's high schools. The Texas top 10% law, the Longhorn Opportunity Scholarship and Century Scholarship programs, and the Towards Excellence, Access and Success Grant…

Since 1995, efforts to prohibit affirmative action have intensified, perhaps most strikingly in higher education. In 1996, California voters adopted Proposition 209 (Prop. 209), an amendment to the state constitution that banned both discrimination and affirmative action programs that give preferences to groups or individuals based on their race,…

Introducing the "Champions of Diversity" in the Academic Kickoff issue proved a timely reminder of the mission of Diverse during the lead up to the 25th anniversary of Cox, Matthews and Associates, the founder of the former Black Issues in Higher Education and publisher of Diverse. In this edition, the editors at Diverse unveil its second slate of…

In this essay, Father Brian J. Shanley discusses Providence College's pilot program to eliminate standardized test scores from the required components of an admission application. Building on the college's ninety-year history of opening the doors of higher education to underrepresented populations, Providence College's test-optional policy is…

This paper, by the president of West Virginia University (WVU), discusses the impact of the Brown decision on that institution and on higher education in general. Following the Gaines decision of 1938, WVU adopted a policy of admitting Black students to its graduate and professional schools because advanced educational programs were not available…

Attracting minorities to natural resource education programs will require innovative recruitment programs. This article outlines such a program initiated by the Ohio State University's School of Natural Resources. (LHW)

A diagnosis of the problems involved in carrying out affirmative action on campuses, a survey of the recruitment policies of 50 institutions, and an in-depth look at how Bloomsburg State College approached the task are presented. (Author/MLW)

This review comments on the recent class action suits in Michigan related to affirmative action and college admission. It reviews related cases and the legal basis for the Supreme Court decisions that are expected to have widespread effects. Affirmative action plans exist at all levels of government and business, and a broad ruling invalidating…

This paper offers of legal examination of affirmative action in higher education. It describes several court cases regarding student recruitment, admissions, and financial aid; the desegregation context; federal programs; cases regarding faculty employment; and elementary and secondary education. (EV)

The reorganization of the federal equal employment opportunity enforcement efforts and the establishment of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) is explained in this description of the structure and function of specific divisions within the organization. A directory of OFCCP's regional and area offices is included. (RLV)

Describes how the Supreme Court rulings on affirmative action in the University of Michigan cases have college officials scratching their heads. (EV)

Seeks to answer whether the Bakke rulings and their rationale retain precedential clout that can uphold the constitutionality of current single-track affirmative action programs that use race as one of multiple factors in admissions. Speculates as to the constitutionality of the program in place at the University of Michigan and the current state…

Discusses the nationwide impact of Harvard University president Lawrence Summers' controversial words on affirmative action and the impact of this controversy on Harvard's continuing ability to attract the best African American students and academics. Explains that the fundamental issue is of institutional legitimacy. (SM)