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 of the campus commitment to diversity and Plan 2008 (The Daily Cardinal, Nov. 21, 2000). Then in November Regent Mohs questions whether race should continue to be considered in admission decisions at UW System institutions (Wisconsin State Journal and The Capital Times, Dec. 12, 2000).
In early January Regent Mohs in effect challenges the Board to abandon its long-standing but unacknowledged policy of race preferences (Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 17, 2001). Regent President Smith responds by defending race preferences (Wisconsin State Journal, Jan 21, 2001); interestingly, his response marks the first official acknowledgment by the Board of Regents that race preferences are used in admitting students to UW System institutions.
In reply to Regent President Smith, I describe in detail the role played by race in UW-Madison admissions; the evidence demonstrates that race is decisive rather than merely one among many criteria used in admitting undergraduate students (Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 28, 2001). A slightly modified version of that analysis follows and is directed to the UW-Madison student body (The Daily Cardinal, Feb. 2, 2001).
I trust that the public dialogue on race preferences will expand in the coming months. I hope it will lead the Board of Regents to reconsider the use of race preferences in admission and programs. The end result, I expect, will be the elimination of race-based discrimination. Such action will finally bring the University of Wisconsin into conformance with Wisconsin statutes, 36.12, which prohibit discrimination based on race in admissions and programs.
I look forward to your reactions to this opening public exchange of views on diversity.
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 of the campus commitment to diversity and Plan 2008 (The Daily Cardinal, Nov. 21, 2000). Then in November Regent Mohs questions whether race should continue to be considered in admission decisions at UW System institutions (Wisconsin State Journal and The Capital Times, Dec. 12, 2000).
In early January Regent Mohs in effect challenges the Board to abandon its long-standing but unacknowledged policy of race preferences (Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 17, 2001). Regent President Smith responds by defending race preferences (Wisconsin State Journal, Jan 21, 2001); interestingly, his response marks the first official acknowledgment by the Board of Regents that race preferences are used in admitting students to UW System institutions.
In reply to Regent President Smith, I describe in detail the role played by race in UW-Madison admissions; the evidence demonstrates that race is decisive rather than merely one among many criteria used in admitting undergraduate students (Wisconsin State Journal, Jan. 28, 2001). A slightly modified version of that analysis follows and is directed to the UW-Madison student body (The Daily Cardinal, Feb. 2, 2001).
I trust that the public dialogue on race preferences will expand in the coming months. I hope it will lead the Board of Regents to reconsider the use of race preferences in admission and programs. The end result, I expect, will be the elimination of race-based discrimination. Such action will finally bring the University of Wisconsin into conformance with Wisconsin statutes, 36.12, which prohibit discrimination based on race in admissions and programs.
I look forward to your reactions to this opening public exchange of views on diversity.