A member of the University of California System Board of Regents is constructing a proposal that would repeal the board's 1995 resolution that banned all use of race and gender in hiring and admissions at the university.
If the UC board repealed the 1995 resolution, the move would be strictly cosmetic because of California's Proposition 209, which was passed 15 months after the board's resolution. Proposition 209, approved by California voters in November 1996, prohibits the use of race and gender in California's hiring and admissions practices.
"This resolution delivered a message, and left people asking if minorities were welcome at the university. The reason for the repeal of this resolution would be to wipe out the undeserved reputation that has befallen the university," UC Regent William Bagley said.
Bagley, who has been the leading force in repealing the 1995 resolution, said he plans to introduce the proposal to his colleagues in upcoming months.
"This proposition isn't necessarily coming up to the board right away," Bagley said.
Bagley's attributes his hesitation to present the resolution to the fact that he wants to garner more support from fellow regents.
"We must have the ability to pass it with a resounding majority," Bagley added.
Bagley said that following the approval of the '95 resolution, California state politicians used the issue of banning race and gender from hiring and admissions practices for political self-promotion.
"This was a purely political move by (former California) Gov. Pete Wilson to make the University of California a national focus when he was planning on running for president (in 1996). As a result, the university became a focal point of a political issue," he said.
Other regents said they do not agree that the proposal would be a constructive use of the board's time and energy.
California Regent Velma Montoya said Bagley's proposal may only "irritate regents on how they voted" on the 1995 proposal.
"I'd prefer that we focus on something more positive and scrutinize the four-percent plan," Montoya said.
California Gov. Gray Davis recently proposed a four-percent plan that would allow the top four percent of California high school seniors to gain automatic admission to one of the UC branch schools.
Davis, inaugurated in January, holds the power to appoint several members to the University of California System's board of regents - composed of 25 members - in the coming months.
Almost two weeks ago, the Associated Students of the University of California approved a bill that encourages Davis to fill open board seats with affirmative action proponents.
"We want to get him to follow through on his campaign promise in support of affirmative action," ASUC President Preston Taylor said.
Students at the university said they feel the 1995 resolution has deprived their campus of a diverse educational environment. "The academic environment has lost because the campus is not representative of the state. We are missing out on an integral part of education," Taylor said.
California Regent Ward Connerly, a vocal supporter of the 1995 resolution and Proposition 209, has been targeted by UC students for his actions. Many claim Connerly used the resolutions as a political tool and did not consider the needs of university students.
"Ward Connerly ... tried to become reputable in the political arena. He was not looking out for education," Taylor said.
Some UC students said they are pleased with Bagley for planning to bring affirmative action back to the forefront of the regents' agenda.
"I am excited someone has spoke out and he has the courage to bring it to the table," Taylor said.
Although Bagley's proposal is solely a symbolic measure, he said he is attempting to repair the tarnished reputation of the university.
"In effect it is an outreach program. It says to the world 'You are welcome, please consider our university,'" Bagley said.
02-15-99
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