UC schools counter admissions decrease

Although the University of California system has been criticized for low minority admissions since eliminating the use of race and gender in admissions practices, a recent announcement from the school indicates recruitment efforts from administrators and students are providing a small recovery from the decrease.

According to the university, the number of newly-accepted minorities fell 27 students short of the 7,466 accepted in 1996 - the last year affirmative action was used as a factor in admissions.

Brian Davis, director of undergraduate admissions and relations with schools at the University of California at Los Angeles, said the school's "active involvement" in recruiting and retention is paving the way to enrolling more minorities.

Davis said it is important for the school to be working on such projects because of the wrong impression Proposition 209 may have created. Proposition 209, approved by California voters in 1996, eliminated gender and race preferences in admissions and hiring.

"Prospective students could interpret Prop. 209 to be an indication that UC is not interested in them, that we are turning our backs on them," Davis said. "That's not true. We welcome them with open arms; we just can't use their race, ethnicity or gender in granting their admission."

Davis said one measure UCLA is taking draws students to the university is having administrators, faculty and students call admitted students. During the call, the university representative encourages the students' interest and answers any questions they have about UCLA's campus or campuslife.

The university has also sponsored events such as the Academic Advancement Program Scholar, which occurred last weekend. At the one-day event,

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