Affirmative action was a strategy adopted by an expansionist federal government to hasten integration, meant to be temporary and thought to be innocent. It has become a system of racial preferences and should be ended. It is unconstitutional, is inappropriate for the complex racial distribution in this country, promotes racial resentment and…

Different groups have had different experiences under affirmative action, and it is time to rethink the meaning of the policy for its intended beneficiaries. For White women and Asian Americans, policies should now focus on increasing upward mobility and advancement within institutions once entry has been gained. For Blacks, Latinos, and Native…

Examines how economic disadvantage explains race bias in college admissions and attendance, addressing the possibility of reaching racial diversity through economically-based affirmative action. Discusses the possible validity of admissions measures, noting that financial barriers to attendance exist even among public colleges and reporting…

Reviews two books criticizing the use of standardized testing. Nicholas Lehmann considers selective college admission based on the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) offensive, since such tests never tap innate abilities. Peter Sacks develops a broader critique not confined to the SAT. The books suggest that effective education reform depends upon…

Discusses what has happened to black enrollment at flagship state universities and graduate schools in five states in which race-neutral admissions have been mandated by law (Washington, Georgia, Texas, Florida, and California). Suggests that under a nationwide ban on affirmative action, black students would be largely eliminated from top…

In "Grutter v. Bollinger", __ U.S. ___ ; 123 S. Ct. 2325; 156 L. Ed. 2d 304 (2003), the Supreme Court rendered a landmark decision approving the use of race as one factor in admissions decisions at the University of Michigan Law School. The opinion of the Court discussed an expert opinion of Kent D. Syverud, Dean of the Vanderbilt Law School,…

In its much-anticipated review of affirmative action, the Supreme Court upheld the educational importance of diversity. Amid great controversy, confusion, and debate, the U.S. Supreme Court this June issued its much-anticipated decisions in two University of Michigan cases addressing affirmative action in higher education admissions. The Court was…

What have colleges and universities done to increase student of color enrollment since the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decisions in "Grutter v. Bollinger" and "Gratz v. Bollinger?" This article provides a critical race theory (CRT) snapshot of selective data and institutions since these landmark decisions. We find that even though "Grutter" gives the…

Choosing from among the many who are qualified in order to achieve, among other things, the racial and ethnic diversity so important to our institutions, cannot be left to chance. There are many ways to achieve diversity, but race must be specifically considered in choosing a student body. (Author/EB)

Only after the Supreme Court has made clear that experimentation with racially discriminatory programs is not permissible will there be the impetus to develop admission procedures that are both nondiscriminatory and humanitarian. (Author/EB)

Findings of the Carnegie Commission on selective admissions and the consideration of race as a criterion relevant to admissions decision are reported. The two-step process recommended includes first eliminating from consideration applicants who do not meet the minimal standard of admissibility, and second, considering racial experience along with…

This legal document asserts that the judgement of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit in Grutter v. Bollinger (No. 02-241) and the order of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in Gratz v. Bollinger (No. 02-516) should be affirmed. This brief, filed by five highly selective private universities…

This publication describes "race-neutral" programs being implemented across the United States to work toward diversity in higher education without granting preferences based on race and ethnicity. Educational institutions will find that there are dozens of race-neutral options available and that the early results of these programs are…

This book examines legal cases and related literature emerging from three academic practices: affirmative action in college admissions, the enforcement of hate speech codes, and the tenure of faculty of color. It considers these cases as cultural texts, revealing the role of courts and universities in circulating dominant discourses on race. By…

In reaction to the "Hopwood v. Texas" decision, which declared the use of race in college admissions illegal, Texas created a percentage plan that guaranteed admission to students who graduate within a specified percentile of their high school class. Under the Texas plan, any student graduating in the top 10% of his or her high school…