What Happens Without Affirmative Action: The Story Of UCLA

[Karee 4,191]

The Supreme Court is expected to rule this week on a case that may shake up race-conscious admissions in higher education. The justices could change the shape of affirmative action or even strike it down altogether.

California is one of eight states that have already scrapped affirmative action. That means state schools can no longer consider the race of its applicants. At the University of California, Los Angeles, the change has been messy, ambiguous — and sometimes a little ugly.

After the state passed the ban in 1996, the percentages of black and Latino students at UCLA quickly began to fall. Things came to a head in 2006. That year, in a freshman class of nearly 5,000 students, just 96 were African-American.

Corey Matthews — one of the "Infamous 96," as those students came to be known — said it shaped his experience at the huge school. Even in lecture halls filled with hundreds of students, he says, he was often the only African-American student.

UCLA realized there was a problem, so it decided to start something called "," taking into consideration a wide range of factors in its admissions decisions — from GPA, to family income, to whether an applicant was the first in the family to go to college. Race was not one of the factors, but indeed, the percentages of black and Latino students began to rebound.

Then things got complicated again.

Last year, a UCLA professor released a study claiming the school was letting some black and Latino students in at higher rates than white or Asian students who should have ranked just the same under the new holistic review.

In other words, the study said, UCLA was breaking California law and instituting affirmative action.

UCLA's newspaper, Daily Bruin, published a on the study and ran an suggesting the school re-evaluate its admissions policy.

In response, student groups led rallies to protest the study and the Daily Bruin. They said a reference in an op-ed to an "undue percentage" of minority students was offensive and minimized those students' hard work.

"The reaction was not pretty," James Barragan, the paper's editor in chief, tells NPR's Rachel Martin.

"I got a long email calling me an embarrassment to my race because I wasn't supporting the cause," he says.

Barragan, whose parents are Mexican, says he agrees that the goal should be to get more racial diversity on campus — but only if it is done fairly.

"We feared at the paper, once we saw the study, that this diversity was coming at a cost of other students who were also qualified to be there and maybe weren't getting the same opportunity," he said.

UCLA says it stands by its admissions policy and points to a review by faculty that refutes the study's findings. A school spokesperson told NPR that UCLA's holistic review is not only legal, but also a fairer and more equitable way to evaluate applicants in an increasingly diverse state.

If the Supreme Court finds affirmative action unconstitutional this week, a lot of schools could wind up facing the same dilemma UCLA has dealt with for nearly two decades.

Source:

http://www.npr.org/2013/06/23/194656555/what-happens-without-affirmative-action-the-story-of-ucla

[RGinWA 816]

That's a tough one.

I'd hate to be the qualified Caucasian applicant that doesn't get in. On the other hand the idea behind AA was to add more diversity to the overall college experience, plus give more minorities a shot at a higher education.

There is something to be said about what the integration of colleges on the whole, with the aid of AA, has done for race relations in the country.

You can learn an a lot about different races just being around them...at least that's been my experience.

But nobody should get in solely on race, that's just as bad as not letting someone in.

The question is, are we all equal now? That's the real question...if it's yes then there is no need for it. But I'd say it's no...

[X Factor 1,112]

Agreed. I'd hate to be the qualified half white applicant that is smack right in the middle of AA. The million dollar question is what would be the criteria for fairness.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Being "more qualified" academically is not and should not be the only criterion on which a university admits students. Most -- not all -- universities are looking for a balanced student body, while maintaining a baseline of academic achievement below which admission usually will not occur. It benefits a university to have a multiplicity of backgrounds, so that students and faculty have their viewpoints challenged. I went to one of the best universities there is, and believe me, not everyone was the straight-A, perfect SAT scorer that is assumed to be the typical student there. I know I benefitted from being in the classroom with students of all races and ethnicities, from all parts of the country (and world), and from across the economic spectrum. Cross-pollination of ideas from the arts and sciences, between artists and athletes and engineers and writers, was (and remains) actively encouraged there. The university remains devoted to making sure that admission is not limited to kids who do well on tests. There's a good deal of intuition and talent-spotting that goes into the mix.

Admission is one hurdle; the true test is achievement at the university. If a kid with lower scores can excel at a top-tier university, then all of this is distracting BS.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Well said, maven

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

That's a tough one.

I'd hate to be the qualified Caucasian applicant that doesn't get in. On the other hand the idea behind AA was to add more diversity to the overall college experience, plus give more minorities a shot at a higher education.

There is something to be said about what the integration of colleges on the whole, with the aid of AA, has done for race relations in the country.

You can learn an a lot about different races just being around them...at least that's been my experience.

But nobody should get in solely on race, that's just as bad as not letting someone in.

The question is, are we all equal now? That's the real question...if it's yes then there is no need for it. But I'd say it's no...

Part of the problem here is that we have so many Black Colleges ( opps sorry, Historically African American- that makes it ok) UGA spends millions to attract non-white students but many of the most qualified prefer to go to Black colleges, because they feel more comfortable among their won peer group.

Once again the minorties demand we are color blind but we still have the above foolishness. Its stupidity at its best.

Being "more qualified" academically is not and should not be the only criterion on which a university admits students. Most -- not all -- universities are looking for a balanced student body, while maintaining a baseline of academic achievement below which admission usually will not occur. It benefits a university to have a multiplicity of backgrounds, so that students and faculty have their viewpoints challenged. I went to one of the best universities there is, and believe me, not everyone was the straight-A, perfect SAT scorer that is assumed to be the typical student there. I know I benefitted from being in the classroom with students of all races and ethnicities, from all parts of the country (and world), and from across the economic spectrum. Cross-pollination of ideas from the arts and sciences, between artists and athletes and engineers and writers, was (and remains) actively encouraged there. The university remains devoted to making sure that admission is not limited to kids who do well on tests. There's a good deal of intuition and talent-spotting that goes into the mix.

Admission is one hurdle; the true test is achievement at the university. If a kid with lower scores can excel at a top-tier university, then all of this is distracting BS.

So you give people preference based on nothing but race, and put them ahead of people that have worked harder to get there. That's racism any way you cut it

If you are rushed into an Emergency room do you want the best Doctor viable or do you want a diversified emergency room.

I think AA degrades, stigmatizes and further perpetuates the myth of the hobbled black.

We had to go to the emergency room last night at 3:00 AM, because my wife had an allergy to crab. The doctor came in to see us. Nice young black man, my first thought was " I wonder if he got here because of of Affirmative action and god I hope not. Racist of me ? Perhaps. However until we endrace based affirmative action programs it is always going to be a stigma.

Edited June 24, 2013 by The Nature Boy

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

So you give people preference based on nothing but race, and put them ahead of people that have worked harder to get there. That's racism any way you cut it

You clearly did not read my post. That's fine, par for the course in P&R. Admissions, particularly at the more prestigious private institutions in this country, is an art, not a science.

[RGinWA 816]

We had to go to the emergency room last night at 3:00 AM, because my wife had an allergy to crab. The doctor came in to see us. Nice young black man, my first thought was " I wonder if he got here because of of Affirmative action and god I hope not. Racist of me ? Perhaps. However until we endrace based affirmative action programs it is always going to be a stigma.

Getting into college is no guarantee that they will succeed or not.

Many urban schools are substandard and therefore don't offer those extracurricular activities that many collages add into the equation. The fact is many brilliant minds are kept out of college because of a substandard high school education or their own lack of support in the home. That has nothing to do with the persons ability to learn.

And no, you don't have to be a genius to be a doctor, but it does take drive. When it comes to doctors I'll take the one who tries harder over the genius who thinks he knows it all.

And yeah, sounded a wee bit racially motivated...lol

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

AA was a good idea when it was created in the 1960's. At that time, blacks and other minorities really were not afforded the same opportunities as whites.

But in 2013, every single minority who wants to get into Harvard or any other top school is able to do so. Anybody who says otherwise is just looking for an excuse to support AA; in other words... looking for a free entry pass.

But in order to get into a top school, it takes hard work, motivation, dedication, and a strong will to succeed.

I didn't say that everybody can afford to attend a top school, I'm just talking about having the opportunity to be admitted. As for affordability, to each his own. Even white kids are sometimes forced to go to cheaper school even though they are admitted, so people shouldn't say "minorities can't go to xxx because it's too expensive". Most white kids can't afford Harvard either.

I'm all for diversity, but not at the expense of qualified people being rejected to meet some bogus AA quota.

Also, why do we have black only colleges in the US? And yes, they are called "Black Colleges". In other words, "Whites stay out!" Isn't that discrimination or does it only apply one way? Or maybe it's payback for slavery...

Edited June 24, 2013 by Eric-Pris

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

You clearly did not read my post. That's fine, par for the course in P&R. Admissions, particularly at the more prestigious private institutions in this country, is an art, not a science.

Yes i read it and was responding more to the thread in general than directly to your post

Getting into college is no guarantee that they will succeed or not.

Many urban schools are substandard and therefore don't offer those extracurricular activities that many collages add into the equation. The fact is many brilliant minds are kept out of college because of a substandard high school education or their own lack of support in the home. That has nothing to do with the persons ability to learn.

And no, you don't have to be a genius to be a doctor, but it does take drive. When it comes to doctors I'll take the one who tries harder over the genius who thinks he knows it all.

And yeah, sounded a wee bit racially motivated...lol

I want the best and brightest selected to be my doctor. I don't want any gimmie points for being a minority

[RGinWA 816]

Yes i read it and was responding more to the thread in general than directly to your post

I want the best and brightest selected to be my doctor. I don't want any gimmie points for being a minority

I want the one who got in college because they are rich and they are a legacy applicant...now that's totally fair also.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I want the one who got in college because they are rich and they are a legacy applicant...now that's totally fair also.

Two wrongs do not a right make. Admissions should be set in stone on based on achievement. Past achievement is generally a good indicator of success.

I am pretty sure daddies millions is not going to get a c student frat boy in Medical School.

[RGinWA 816]

Two wrongs do not a right make. Admissions should be set in stone on based on achievement. Past achievement is generally a good indicator of success.

I am pretty sure daddies millions is not going to get a c student frat boy in Medical School.

Look up George W Bush....lol

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I repeat, before signing off for the evening: admission is one hurdle, and in many ways the least. The ultimate measure is how a student performs while being a student at the university. At this country's elite universities, you do not get extra credit for being a minority. You get a grade based on your performance, which is how it should be.

If your doctor is black, he or she is black. Medical school admissions are even MORE focused on academic achievement than at the bachelor's level. Your doctor is not a fool, and is probably a damned sight smarter than you are.

But continue on, since you're obviously expert at what happens in university admissions.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I repeat, before signing off for the evening: admission is one hurdle, and in many ways the least. The ultimate measure is how a student performs while being a student at the university. At this country's elite universities, you do not get extra credit for being a minority. You get a grade based on your performance, which is how it should be.

If your doctor is black, he or she is black. Medical school admissions are even MORE focused on academic achievement than at the bachelor's level. Your doctor is not a fool, and is probably a damned sight smarter than you are.

But continue on, since you're obviously expert at what happens in university admissions.

The only thing I can agree with you on 100% is that doctor is a lot smarter than me.