Author Archives: W. Lee Hansen

Cover Letter to Board of Regents on Minority Admissions Preferences

February 3, 2001These published attachments mark the Board of Regents’ entry into a long-awaited public discussion of diversity and particularly race preferences in admissions. First came the public criticism of UW-Madison by Regents Alexander and Randall who question the strength … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary (2000-2004), Preferrential Admissions | Comments Off on Cover Letter to Board of Regents on Minority Admissions Preferences

Diversity Re-examined

Reprint from the Opinion page of the Badger Herald, November 28, 2000UW-Madison’s more than 30-year quest for race-ethnic diversity continues under Plan 2008. Again this Fall, minority students complain about the lack of diversity. Again, campus administrators respond by promising … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary (2000-2004), Preferrential Admissions | Comments Off on Diversity Re-examined

On UW-Madison’s Dual Admission Standard

Reprint of Letter to the Editor, Racine Journal Times, August 17, 2000The University of Wisconsin System’s budget, scheduled for Board of Regent consideration later this month, proposes increased spending to promote racial and ethnic “diversity.” But, should Wisconsin taxpayers be … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary (2000-2004), Preferrential Admissions | Comments Off on On UW-Madison’s Dual Admission Standard

On Lawton Minority Undergraduate Grants

Reprint from the Wisconsin State Journal, May 11, 2000What should we do when we see our own executive, legislative, and judicial branches ignore violations of the law by public, state-supported institutions? This question arises because at its April meeting, the … Continue reading

Posted in Commentary (2000-2004), Preferrential Admissions | Comments Off on On Lawton Minority Undergraduate Grants

On the UW System’s Continuing Quest for Greater Race and Ethnic Diversity (June, 1999)

Prepared for the Meeting of the Education Committee, University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Thursday,  June  10,  1999 The report below raises questions about UW System campus submissions for implementing Plan 2008, and touches on three closely related matters. It … Continue reading

Posted in Implementing the New Diversity Policy at UW-Madison (19, Preferrential Admissions | Comments Off on On the UW System’s Continuing Quest for Greater Race and Ethnic Diversity (June, 1999)

On Race and Ethnic Diversity at the University of Wisconsin: Plan 2008 and Implementation of Plan 2008

Presented to the Meeting of the Education Committee, University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents, on Thursday,  June  10,  1999 In addressing these comments to you today, I am privileged to take part in a great University of Wisconsin tradition, … Continue reading

Posted in Implementing the New Diversity Policy at UW-Madison (19, Preferrential Admissions | Comments Off on On Race and Ethnic Diversity at the University of Wisconsin: Plan 2008 and Implementation of Plan 2008

An Exercise in Self-Deception: UW-Madison’s Diversity Efforts Don’t Acknowledge the Real Problem

Reprint from Isthmus It’s tough making progress toward race and ethnic diversity at large public universities like the University of Wisconsin-Madison. For several decades, preferential admission for minority applicants, remedial and academic support for these students, exclusive financial-aid awards, and … Continue reading

Posted in Implementing the New Diversity Policy at UW-Madison (19, Preferrential Admissions | Comments Off on An Exercise in Self-Deception: UW-Madison’s Diversity Efforts Don’t Acknowledge the Real Problem

Diversity Plans Not Dealing With Facts

Reprint from The Daily Cardinal, April  8,  1999 Why are more targeted minorities, particularly African-Americans, not enrolled at UW-Madison? Students, faculty and campus administrators regularly lament the absence of large numbers of minority students on campus. They argue that increased … Continue reading

Posted in Implementing the New Diversity Policy at UW-Madison (19, Preferrential Admissions | Comments Off on Diversity Plans Not Dealing With Facts

Plan 2008 Design For Diversity: Dreaming The Impossible Dream?

Reprint from the Badger Herald, April  8,  1999 Even a cursory look at the data reveals the impossibility of reaching a key goal of UW System’s recently adopted Plan 2008 — eliminating gaps in retention and graduation rates for racial … Continue reading

Posted in Implementing the New Diversity Policy at UW-Madison (19, Preferrential Admissions | Comments Off on Plan 2008 Design For Diversity: Dreaming The Impossible Dream?

An Alternative Implementation Plan

Presented to the UW-Madison Faculty Senate, April,  1999I know that you are scheduled to take action on the proposed Resolutions in Support of the Draft UW-Madison Diversity Plan 2008 contained in Faculty Document 1428. Before doing so, I ask you … Continue reading

Posted in Implementing the New Diversity Policy at UW-Madison (19, Preferrential Admissions | Comments Off on An Alternative Implementation Plan