Over the past 20 years, the status of women in higher education has marginally improved. This status report focuses on affirmative action's role in hiring and retaining women in higher education, the hostile work environment facing women and minorities, adverse policies affecting African-American women faculty, rank and salary inequities,…

An Asian-American college admissions director discusses affirmative action based on his own experiences and the comments of Shelby Steele, an African-American critic of affirmative action. He argues that affirmative action promotes distrust and self-doubt. He proposes that honest self-assessment is more productive and affirmative action should not…

Division over the aims of affirmative action and the loyalties and aspirations of various interest groups have betrayed the policy's original purpose. The public's attention has been shifted away from discriminatory practices and appropriate remedies. Higher education must rethink and reform the whole process before it becomes compromised by…

Confusion over American Historical Association policy on the composition of conference sessions, as illustrated in a recent incident over a panel's membership, reflects common concern in scholarly circles over women scholars' participation and representation in discussion. At issue are quotas vs. affirmative action principles. (MSE)

Reports on plans of accredited journalism schools to increase minority and female representation on faculty and in the student body, including activities of the plans themselves and how effective the accrediting council judges them to be. (SR)

Compares the concepts and goals of affirmative action in the U.S. and South Africa. Examines positions on equity and affirmative action expressed by various South African educational-policy documents and government officials. Presents case-study data on affirmative action and institutional change at four South African universities. Contains 25…

Discusses the ruling in "Hopwood v. State of Texas" that bans the use of race as a major determinate in college admission in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and its effect on deaf education. An eight-step action plan for teacher-training institutions for increasing minority teachers is presented. (Author/CR)

Investigated gender and racial/ethnic differences in college students' support for affirmative action in higher education. Multivariate analyses of data from a diverse sample of 290 students found greater differences along racial/ethnic than gender lines. European- and Asian-American students expressed greater opposition to affirmative action.…

Contains papers exploring diversity of expression at the law school of the University of California, Berkeley, after the legislated end to affirmative action in admission. Papers are (1) "What Ever Happened to J. S. Mill?" (Nick-Anthony Buford); (2) "The Unprofitable Monopoly" (Heather McCormick); and (3) "Quibbles about…

In spite of the results of referenda in California and Washington and some troubling judicial decisions, there are some important signs that well-conceived affirmative action policies will survive. The "Hopwood" decision is based on arguments that have not persuaded other courts. Affirmative action cannot be taken for granted, but it is not dead.…

Presents reports on the enrollment, graduation, and status of African Americans in higher education. Reports include discussions of academic achievement, affirmative action, and professional education, as well as profiles of some African-American scholars. (SLD)

Addresses the fairness of affirmative action, suggesting it will be unfortunate if the Supreme Court reverses its ruling, because dramatic evidence of its value in elite higher education has just become available. After discussing legal rulings, the paper concludes that affirmative action makes the eventual economic and social structure of…

Reports on increasing efforts of universities, especially those in states where racial preferences in admissions have been outlawed, to recruit more minority students by soliciting transfer students from local community colleges. Some institutions are easing admissions policies for transfer students, holding "diversity fairs," and…

Discusses how as the issue of race-conscious admissions policies moves through the courts, scholars engage in a bitter debate over the educational benefits of diversity. (EV)

Presents an analysis of affirmative action policy that takes into account students vastly different social contexts of choice. Defends affirmative action as necessary because of its role in combating oppressive educational structures, fostering more favorable social contexts of choice for students, and thus supporting self-determination.…