The view of higher education as a privilege, rather than a right, did not die with open admissions in the City University system. Rather, under pressures of the fiscal crisis of the 1970s, this view has regained its ascendancy as socially advantaged groups struggle to maintain their position. (Author/GC)

The open admissions policy at the City University of New York (CUNY) and the effect of fiscal crisis in New York are considered. One of the important changes that occurred after the fiscal crisis in 1975 was that entry to CUNY's senior colleges became more difficult. Another change was the implementation in 1977 of a more stringent and precisely…

A study and analysis was done of the contributions that open-admissions at City University of New York (CUNY) have made to the development and growth of a college educated class of men and women, especially minorities. In particular the analysis examined the marital, education, and economic contexts in which the children of participants in…

In 1970 the City University of New York (CUNY) initiated an open admissions policy that aimed to create an unusually high level of educational opportunity, especially for low-income minority youth. Opponents asserted that this policy so degraded academic standards that CUNY's diplomas lost their value. Using a data set with extensive information…

This paper examines the influence of higher educational credentials on the two work qualities of job authority and work complexity, and asks whether education provides white and minority men and women comparable access to jobs involving such work. Findings are based on a follow-up study of 3,525 Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites who attended the City…

The academic fate of students from different ethnic groups under open admissions at City University of New York is examined. Three central questions are addressed: (1) Who came and how was the ethnic composition of the university affected by open admissions? (2) To what degree did different parts of the university become ethnically integrated? (3)…

No definite evidence has demonstrated declining standards resulting from City University of New York's open-admissions policy. Argues that the policy has successfully reduced educational inequities. Basing conclusions on a study of the first three open-admissions classes, examines effects on university's ethnic composition, integration at various…