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 required to fund programs that in admissions and financial aid decisions give race/ethnic-based preferences to minority students-Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, and SE Asians?
UW-Madison continues using a dual admission standard. Thus, in Fall 1997 about 130 minority applicants, almost a third of all minority applicants, were admitted based on their race/ethnicity rather than their academic records. Meanwhile, up to 1,500 non-minority applicants with equal or better academic records didn’t have a chance of being admitted. Of these 130 minority applicants, those who enrolled did not perform as well academically and they were far less likely to graduate, as compared to the minority students admitted on the basis of their academic records.
A similar dual standard applies in allocating financial aid. Only minority students are eligible for Lawton Grants and Chancellor Scholarships.
Why does the University give preferential treatment to students based on race and ethnicity when courts around the country (e.g., Texas, Georgia) are ruling such behavior unconstitutional? Why does this great public university ignore state law that expressly prohibits discrimination in admission based on race and ethnicity? Why does it disregard the 14th amendment’s Equal Protection Clause?
Finally, don’t we all gain by treating young Americans as individuals rather than members of groups defined by race and ethnicity?
In the interest of public accountability, Wisconsin’s citizens deserve honest answers to these questions.
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 required to fund programs that in admissions and financial aid decisions give race/ethnic-based preferences to minority students-Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, and SE Asians?
UW-Madison continues using a dual admission standard. Thus, in Fall 1997 about 130 minority applicants, almost a third of all minority applicants, were admitted based on their race/ethnicity rather than their academic records. Meanwhile, up to 1,500 non-minority applicants with equal or better academic records didn’t have a chance of being admitted. Of these 130 minority applicants, those who enrolled did not perform as well academically and they were far less likely to graduate, as compared to the minority students admitted on the basis of their academic records.
A similar dual standard applies in allocating financial aid. Only minority students are eligible for Lawton Grants and Chancellor Scholarships.
Why does the University give preferential treatment to students based on race and ethnicity when courts around the country (e.g., Texas, Georgia) are ruling such behavior unconstitutional? Why does this great public university ignore state law that expressly prohibits discrimination in admission based on race and ethnicity? Why does it disregard the 14th amendment’s Equal Protection Clause?
Finally, don’t we all gain by treating young Americans as individuals rather than members of groups defined by race and ethnicity?
In the interest of public accountability, Wisconsin’s citizens deserve honest answers to these questions.