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…

The report of the American Association of University Professors' ad hoc Commission on Governance and Affirmative Action concerning the University of California's decision to end affirmative action in admissions, hiring, and awarding of contracts is presented. It outlines the events leading to the policy action, considers the educational impacts,…

Two kinds of affirmative action in the recruitment and selection of college faculty are distinguished and discussed: procedural (ensuring judgment of applicants without consideration of race, religion, or national origin) and preferential (characterized by attention to the same criteria that procedural affirmative action eschews). Argues that…

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 supporter of affirmative action in California sees attackers as mean-spirited and practicing wedge politics. He stresses its legality and opposes a proposed California Civil Rights initiative. An opponent criticizes affirmative action, noting practical difficulties in application and its opposition to American values of fairness. He defends the…

California's Proposition 209, dismantling affirmative-action policy, has chilled race relations in the state, provided a road map for groups with similar agendas in other states, and challenged higher education to find alternative paths to justice for women and people of color. Recent experience has shown that more selective institutions have…

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.…

If colleges and universities want to avoid a relapse into increased racial segregation in light of current political and legal pressures against affirmative action, they must make the case for the need for racial diversity to further their core educational purposes. They must also enlist faculty help in identifying and articulating its educational…