Profs. examine trends in affirmative action By Josie Gingrich Daily Staff Reporter The mood at Rackham Auditorium was ardently in favor of affirmative action as a panel of experts from across the country presented their research on the volatile topic last night. In a discussion titled "Race Relations and Education: Research on Equity and Opportunity," University of Illinois Prof. William Trent, Claremont McKenna College Prof. Shana Levin and University of Maryland Prof. Jeff Milem examined current trends in minority admissions and the benefits of considering race as a factor in admissions. The panel discussion was moderated by University of Michigan Education Prof. Sylvia Hurtado and sponsored by Dialogues on Diversity, a campus program that seeks to bring discussions about the subject to the University. Program Coordinator Pat McCune said the goal of the panel was "exposure for the objective research and to present evidence that diversity is a value to all in higher education." The three panelists are co-authors of a book titled "Compelling Interest: Examining the Evidence on Racial Dynamics in Colleges and Universities." In their book, the authors present information concerning racial factors in higher education in an attempt to make it available to a broader audience. Hurtado opened the discussion with the question, "What have we learned in the last 40 years in terms of race relations?" Trent, the first speaker, is considered an expert on the issue of school desegregation. "We are facing a situation where African Americans are as segregated as they were in 1977," Trent said. "We can't afford to limit the use of race in admissions." Trent presented information showing that minorities, especially black Americans, are facing as many educational limitations as they did during the years of formal segregation. There is a requirement "of continued commitment to using race in an informed way in admissions," Trent said. Levin focused on the psychological aspect of using race in admissions processes. "White Americans overwhelmingly endorse racial equality," Levin said. But "racism is still very much a part of U.S. culture," she said. Levin cited research showing that "opposition to affirmative action is highest when blacks are the targeted group instead of the elderly or the handicapped." "Ignoring race in merit-based selections unfairly disadvantages minority groups," she said. Milem concluded the program by discussing the educational benefits of diversity. After praising the work of the University of Michigan in its affirmative action program, Milem presented evidence on how diversity positively affects educational establishments. "Diversity has a transformative influence on institutions," Milem said. He discussed the benefits of having a diverse faculty as well. "Students are more likely to be exposed to faculty which is student- and teacher-oriented," Milem said. Following the presentations, the audience engaged in a question-and-answer session with the panelists. "It seems the media is more interested in the political rhetoric surrounding affirmative action, not the empirical rhetoric," Milem said in response to one question. Members of the audience expressed a positive reaction to the discussion. "It was really interesting," LSA sophomore Akosua Mireku said. "A lot I'd heard before, and a lot I agree with." But Mireku expressed concerns about the effectiveness of such a presentation. "We're a self-selected sample," she said. "We came here because we wanted to. What about the general public? They need to hear this information rather then the media-represented information. The research needs to get to the general public, not just those getting a higher education." DANA LINNANE/Daily University of Illinois Prof. William Trent speaks at Rackham Auditorium last night during a panel discussion on the use of race as a factor in college admissions. Originally on page 1A in the 1-27-2000 issue of the Daily.