Fight against preferences intensies

Two activists may combine efforts

The fight to the end the use of race as a factor in admissions to Michigan universities and colleges could gain speed as two outspoken anti-affirmative action leaders consider joining forces in an attempt to bring the issue to voters in November 2000.

Ward Connerly, a former regent for the University of California system, said he is very interested in seeing a proposal on the Michigan ballot that would prohibit universities from choosing prospective students based on, among other things, race. Co nnerly was the main proponent of California's Proposition 209, which ended the use of racial preferences in the state of California.

"I will support an initiative if raised by the people who live" in Michigan, Connerly said. "There are people in Michigan who want to take the lead role."

State Sen. David Jaye (R-Macomb) said he has not talked with Connerly about teaming up since the two spoke about it last year, but they will talk today to discuss the possibility of a joint effort to push the ballot proposal. "I've asked him to consider a Michigan initiative," Jaye said.

Jaye, who played a key role in putting together the two lawsuits against the University concerning the use of race as a factor in the admissions process, has been a consistent opponent of affirmative action since he joined the state Legislature. The suits against the College of Literature Science and Arts and the Law School were filed by the Center for Individual Rights.

Jaye, a University alumnus, said it is just a matter of time before the state of Michigan does away with using race as criteria for such processes as hiring people for jobs and admitting students to universities.

"It is not a question of if, it's a question of when minority preferences will be banned from Michigan," he said.

Law second year student Jodi Masley, a member of Defend Affirmative Action By All Means Necessary, said a partnership between the two anti-affirmative action activists will get people's attention.

"At the same time there are two lawsuits aimed at dismantling affirmative action at the University and ultimately in the state of Michigan, it is definitely a provocation," Masley said. "On the other hand, I think it's something we can defeat."

BAMN and other pro-affirmative action groups will meet next Tuesday at 5 p.m. on the steps of the Michigan Union to rally against efforts to curb the use of affirmative action.

Groups rallying for the continuation of affirmative action cannot deny basic problems with the policy, Connerly said.

"It's not right, it's wrong and it's unconstitutional," he said. "No amount of protesting will ever change that reality."

University President Lee Bollinger said if a ballot proposal striking down affirmative action is passed, it would not automatically affect the University admission process.

"It is my understanding that under the (Michigan) constitution, the University is granted autonomy," Bollinger said. "In my judgment, that means autonomy over the admission of students.

"Any ballot initiative would have to change or amend the constitution," he said.

But Jaye said there are alternatives to going through the lengthy process of getting an amendment passed that would still allow a ban of race-based admissions to be effective.

"There's more than one way to skin a cat," Jaye said. "Although they have constitutional autonomy, they have to come to the legislature for" their allotment of the budget.

Jaye said he has proposed legislation in the past that would restrict Michigan universities from collecting up to 10 percent of their appropriation if they do not implement processes that are "color-blind."

Bollinger said if the ballot proposal did pass, it would be a blow to the University community.

"It would be doubly unfortunate," he said. "It would reduce diversity and that would be a pity. It would also jeopardize the University's autonomy."

Bollinger, who has consistently and vocally supported the University's admission process when it has come under fire from the lawsuits, said he is confident of people's support for the school.

"I feel strongly that there would be an overwhelming support for the University," he said.

Connerly's politics are his own, Bollinger said, but he will not stand by and allow changes in the law that he feels will harm the University.

"I strongly disagree with his views about higher education, but he's entirely free to pursue this as he wishes," Bollinger said. "I would do everything I could to counter his views."

Jaye

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