Both critics and supporters of affirmative action cite the commitment of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) to diversity in the undergraduate population as an example supporting their positions. Merit, diversity, and family income are weighed in applicant processing. (MSE)

The University of Virginia admits proportionately more blacks and children of alumni than other groups. Some other groups also get preferential treatment in admissions: athletes, musicians, artists, applicants from rural areas, children of faculty, female scientists, and other minority group members. (MSE)

Discusses the higher educational background of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas from his acceptance at Holy Cross College through affirmative action through Yale University. The authors provide a description of Justice Thomas as a person who constantly felt he was being looked down upon and describe his bitterness and frustration following…

Two decades of affirmative action have not substantially altered the percentage of women and minorities in higher education faculty and professional ranks. Although continued attention to affirmative action is important, institutions should not let their guidelines channel and truncate the screening process so as to overlook stronger candidates.…

Over the past 20 years, the status of women in higher education has marginally improved. This status report focuses on affirmative action's role in hiring and retaining women in higher education, the hostile work environment facing women and minorities, adverse policies affecting African-American women faculty, rank and salary inequities,…

Provides a detailed investigation of retention and exit patterns in the federal civil service. Discusses federal pay and turnover, changes in the federal workforce, and the impact of retention problems on the quality of federal workers and on affirmative action. (JOW)

An Asian-American college admissions director discusses affirmative action based on his own experiences and the comments of Shelby Steele, an African-American critic of affirmative action. He argues that affirmative action promotes distrust and self-doubt. He proposes that honest self-assessment is more productive and affirmative action should not…

Division over the aims of affirmative action and the loyalties and aspirations of various interest groups have betrayed the policy's original purpose. The public's attention has been shifted away from discriminatory practices and appropriate remedies. Higher education must rethink and reform the whole process before it becomes compromised by…

Discusses diversity issues related to sensitivity to differences, opportunities afforded by the Columbus quincentenary for discourse on diversity and democracy, and demographic trends. Provides a rationale for promoting leadership diversity. Assesses the current status of women and minorities in public and private leadership. Discusses steps in…

Describes the San Diego Community College District's Affirmative Action Training Program, which trains all affirmative action representatives on selection committees in compliance, hiring procedures, and committee monitoring. Includes a checklist for assessing organizational commitment to affirmative action. Reviews training goals, content,…

Surveyed 244 white counselors to examine whether these counselors were encountering racial concerns with their white clients. Findings revealed that 45% of responding counselors reported white clients raising racial issues relevant to counseling, with 26% reporting white clients with racial concerns as a main counseling issue. (Author/NB)

Analysis of economywide data found that, between 1965 and 1981, black women's occupational mobility rose relative to that of white women by 20 percent and white men by 24 percent . The pattern was thought to reflect the effects of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and affirmative action laws. (SK)

Confusion over American Historical Association policy on the composition of conference sessions, as illustrated in a recent incident over a panel's membership, reflects common concern in scholarly circles over women scholars' participation and representation in discussion. At issue are quotas vs. affirmative action principles. (MSE)

Reports on plans of accredited journalism schools to increase minority and female representation on faculty and in the student body, including activities of the plans themselves and how effective the accrediting council judges them to be. (SR)

A number of school attorneys claim that some of the Office for Civil Rights rules exceed statutory authority and impermissibly require "affirmative action" by school districts for certain students with disabilities. Explains that this is a technical legal issue and states why this controversy exists. (MLF)