If four Republicans in the state House have their way, University policies could regress to the point that personal and ethnic background would no longer contribute to admissions decisions. In a press release issued Thursday, four state legislators - Reps. Deborah Wyman (R-Canton Twp.), David Jaye (R-Washington Twp.), Greg Kaza (R-Rochester Hills) and Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau) - threatened the University with an investigation into admissions policies they called "shamefully selective." The state should not interfere with the University's affirmative action policy; it supports campus diversity and fosters a unique learning environment.
The lawmakers stated the possibility of a discrimination lawsuit against the University's office of admissions. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the University of Texas' law school in March 1996 in a similar case. Jaye stated intentions to introduce a referendum similar to California's Proposition 209 that would effectively eliminate affirmative action from use in Michigan. Affirmative action's goal is to put all candidates on an equal playing field - removing it could seriously challenge diversity efforts on campus and in the workplace.
Despite what the four representatives believe, affirmative action policies do not work to institutionalize discrimination. While there are laws granting equal opportunity to all regardless of race, ethnicity or gender, vestiges of past discriminatory beliefs still exist today and create a glass ceiling on achievement for women and minorities. The University's affirmative action policies work to counteract past discrimination by making the campus more representative of the diverse communities from which it draws students. It also creates a unique learning environment that allows students to interact with people from backgrounds different from their own.
Recently, the Association of American Universities - composed of 62 higher education, institutions including the University - adopted a resolution supporting the use of affirmative action in admissions. In light of events such as the U.S. Court of Appeals' ruling, it is important that universities throw united support behind policies that broaden opportunities for minority groups.
The AAU's resolution solidifies higher education's commitment to diversity. The association tried to eliminate the idea that test scores and grades should be the only factors in admissions decisions - it supports a broader definition of merit that includes diverse backgrounds and experiences as criteria.
The legislators' attempts to interfere with University policies should not come to fruition. The University must maintain autonomy in order to ensure that policy decisions reflect what is best for the University's educational goals rather than what is politically vogue. The University should stand steadfastly behind its affirmative action policies as they promote diversity and enhance student life.
The controversial environment surrounding affirmative action threatens its continued use. With conservative legislators threatening investigations and lawsuits, affirmative action stands seriously challenged. The AAU's resolution presents a united voice from higher education supporting the use of affirmative action policies. The University should stand behind it or risk a decline in campus diversity.