By Jay Smith*
Reprint from the Wisconsin State Journal, January 21, 2001
*permission to reprint here has been requested
The University of Wisconsin System and the Board of Regents view diversity in enrollment and employment as a high priority. That commitment has been reflected repeatedly in policy and action. We have made considerable progress but have not yet achieved the goal of a student body that truly reflects the diversity of the state or the nation.
In his Jan. 17 guest column in the Wisconsin State Journal, Regent Frederic E. Mohs outlined his opposition to “race preferences in college admissions. He correctly noted that the UW System’s Plan 2008 is focused on enlarging the pool of qualified applicants through pre-college programming and financial aid and makes no use of quotas or other race preferences. He suggested two tests for weighing admissions practices: (1) Do they “treat students equally and fairly as people in this state understand it?” and (2) Do they “advance (the goal of) minority educational success?” The answer to both questions for the UW System is “yes.”
Admissions to UW institutions, including UW-Madison, involve the careful consideration of each applicant. Test scores and class rank matter, so do the array and difficulty of courses taken in high school; extracurricular activities; any special talents for music, sports or foreign languages; and whether they have been out of high school for two or more years; are a veteran; or have been disadvantaged as a result of substandard education, family income or ethnic background. These multiple factors treat applicants as more than test scores and recognize the mission of a public university is to serve a widely diverse population.
There is no cut-and-dried formula, point system or index relied upon to make these decisions. Applicants are considered on multiple factors. The task of the admissions office is to assemble from the applicant pool a capable, interesting and diverse freshman class each year. The people of Wisconsin expect this kind of individual consideration of their sons and daughters who apply to the UW System and regard it as fairer than some formula approach.
As to furthering minority success, I would simply note that 14,800 minority students have gained UW degrees over the past decade as a result of our efforts. These individuals have become beacons of success and inspiration for the next generation of Wisconsin citizens and leaders.
Regent Mohs’ view has been interpreted by some as signaling an imminent change in board policy on diversity. Nothing could be further from the truth, nor do I believe that is Regent Mohs’ intention.
Any regent is free to express his or her individual views, but board agendas a priorities are determined collectively. The topic of diversity and related policies was considered at length 18 months ago, resulting in our unanimously adopted Plan 2008. As we review continuing progress on 2008 and other Regent policies, the board may wish to discuss these along with other issues. Currently, however, our top priority is our biennial budget request and efforts to contribute to the state’s economic future. Unless and until the full board reverses its longstanding position in support of diversity — something I regard as highly unlikely — there should be no doubt about the UW System’s unwavering commitment to this principle.
What do I mean by “longstanding”? Twelve years ago, the board adopted Design for Diversity, a 10-year initiative aimed at enhancing the ethnic diversity of the UW System. During that period, minority enrollments grew 75 percent. Two years ago, the board adopted Plan 2008, a subsequent systemwide initiative that built upon the success of Design for Diversity.
While we have not yet solved the underlying problem of diversity, we need to keep trying. It is a question of justice and it is a matter of economic necessity for everyone in Wisconsin. Both are important, but let me focus on the latter, since we heard a lot about it at the recent Wisconsin Economic Summit in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin clearly needs more trained and educated people able to work, especially in the “New Economy” fields. If a significant portion of our qualified population is pre-empted from attending the university, for reasons of funding or K-12 preparation, we are placing the future of our state in jeopardy.
This is especially foolish if those students leave Wisconsin for better opportunities and a more welcoming environment in other places. If that happens, our majority students are also the poorer for being educated in a one-dimensional, non-diverse university system.
A recent U.S. District Court ruling in Michigan, supporting the admissions policy of the University of Michigan, underscores why diversity programs are critical — and legal — as a matter of public policy. As President Lee Bollinger of the University of Michigan noted: “The court has followed 22 years of settled law, which permits colleges and universities to pursue diversity to meet important educational aims.” Those aims are the same in Wisconsin as they are in Michigan.
I believe our focus should be on providing a qualified and diverse population with greater access to the university so that all citizens can contribute fully to Wisconsin’s future. That is the tough job facing every board member and every UW System institution.
I am confident that we can translate our words into deeds, that our universities can embody the “ideals of a pluralistic, multiracial, open and democratic society.”
UW Regents Remain Committed to Diversity
By Jay Smith*
Reprint from the Wisconsin State Journal, January 21, 2001
The University of Wisconsin System and the Board of Regents view diversity in enrollment and employment as a high priority. That commitment has been reflected repeatedly in policy and action. We have made considerable progress but have not yet achieved the goal of a student body that truly reflects the diversity of the state or the nation.
In his Jan. 17 guest column in the Wisconsin State Journal, Regent Frederic E. Mohs outlined his opposition to “race preferences in college admissions. He correctly noted that the UW System’s Plan 2008 is focused on enlarging the pool of qualified applicants through pre-college programming and financial aid and makes no use of quotas or other race preferences. He suggested two tests for weighing admissions practices: (1) Do they “treat students equally and fairly as people in this state understand it?” and (2) Do they “advance (the goal of) minority educational success?” The answer to both questions for the UW System is “yes.”
Admissions to UW institutions, including UW-Madison, involve the careful consideration of each applicant. Test scores and class rank matter, so do the array and difficulty of courses taken in high school; extracurricular activities; any special talents for music, sports or foreign languages; and whether they have been out of high school for two or more years; are a veteran; or have been disadvantaged as a result of substandard education, family income or ethnic background. These multiple factors treat applicants as more than test scores and recognize the mission of a public university is to serve a widely diverse population.
There is no cut-and-dried formula, point system or index relied upon to make these decisions. Applicants are considered on multiple factors. The task of the admissions office is to assemble from the applicant pool a capable, interesting and diverse freshman class each year. The people of Wisconsin expect this kind of individual consideration of their sons and daughters who apply to the UW System and regard it as fairer than some formula approach.
As to furthering minority success, I would simply note that 14,800 minority students have gained UW degrees over the past decade as a result of our efforts. These individuals have become beacons of success and inspiration for the next generation of Wisconsin citizens and leaders.
Regent Mohs’ view has been interpreted by some as signaling an imminent change in board policy on diversity. Nothing could be further from the truth, nor do I believe that is Regent Mohs’ intention.
Any regent is free to express his or her individual views, but board agendas a priorities are determined collectively. The topic of diversity and related policies was considered at length 18 months ago, resulting in our unanimously adopted Plan 2008. As we review continuing progress on 2008 and other Regent policies, the board may wish to discuss these along with other issues. Currently, however, our top priority is our biennial budget request and efforts to contribute to the state’s economic future. Unless and until the full board reverses its longstanding position in support of diversity — something I regard as highly unlikely — there should be no doubt about the UW System’s unwavering commitment to this principle.
What do I mean by “longstanding”? Twelve years ago, the board adopted Design for Diversity, a 10-year initiative aimed at enhancing the ethnic diversity of the UW System. During that period, minority enrollments grew 75 percent. Two years ago, the board adopted Plan 2008, a subsequent systemwide initiative that built upon the success of Design for Diversity.
While we have not yet solved the underlying problem of diversity, we need to keep trying. It is a question of justice and it is a matter of economic necessity for everyone in Wisconsin. Both are important, but let me focus on the latter, since we heard a lot about it at the recent Wisconsin Economic Summit in Milwaukee.
Wisconsin clearly needs more trained and educated people able to work, especially in the “New Economy” fields. If a significant portion of our qualified population is pre-empted from attending the university, for reasons of funding or K-12 preparation, we are placing the future of our state in jeopardy.
This is especially foolish if those students leave Wisconsin for better opportunities and a more welcoming environment in other places. If that happens, our majority students are also the poorer for being educated in a one-dimensional, non-diverse university system.
A recent U.S. District Court ruling in Michigan, supporting the admissions policy of the University of Michigan, underscores why diversity programs are critical — and legal — as a matter of public policy. As President Lee Bollinger of the University of Michigan noted: “The court has followed 22 years of settled law, which permits colleges and universities to pursue diversity to meet important educational aims.” Those aims are the same in Wisconsin as they are in Michigan.
I believe our focus should be on providing a qualified and diverse population with greater access to the university so that all citizens can contribute fully to Wisconsin’s future. That is the tough job facing every board member and every UW System institution.
I am confident that we can translate our words into deeds, that our universities can embody the “ideals of a pluralistic, multiracial, open and democratic society.”