Dropout rates among American Indian young people are greater than 50% in some places in the country, and the rate of unemployment and underemployment among American Indians still far exceeds that of the majority population, despite affirmative action and other parity-seeking policies. In addition, U.S. Census trends indicate an influx of American…

This legal document addresses whether the University of Michigan's use of racial preferences in undergraduate admissions violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) or 42 U.S.C. 1981. This brief filed in support of the petitioners by the federal government argues that…

On June 23, 2003, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of race-conscious admissions policies designed to promote diversity in higher education. The Grutter versus Bollinger decision upheld the University of Michigan Law School race-conscious admissions policy as constitutional. However, in Gratz versus Bollinger, it held…

In 1964, Congress passed Public Law 82-352. This civil rights act forbade hiring, promoting, and firing discrimination based on sex or race. Title VII of the act created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to implement the law. Subsequent legislation expanded the role of the EEOC. Today, the EEOC enforces laws that prohibit…

The University of California Regents have instituted a "Comprehensive Review" system for admission that purports to consider the whole student instead of merely grades and test scores. An examination of the Comprehensive Review reveals a back door attempt to reinstate racial preferences in college admission, a practice the Regents banned…

In Grutter v. Bollinger (2003), Justice Sandra Day O'Connor conjectured that in 25 years affirmative action in college admissions will be unnecessary. We project the test score distribution of black and white college applicants 25 years from now, focusing on the role of black-white family income gaps. Economic progress alone is unlikely to narrow…

The strength of academic freedom has always depended upon historical circumstances. In the United States, higher education began with institutions founded and controlled by religious sects. The notion of who gets educated and to what ends expanded as American democracy expanded. By the 1980's, legitimate calls for equality became a general…

This paper presents three reviews of the book, "The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions," by William Bowen and Derek Bok. The book defends affirmative action in college admissions. The first review says that the book presents important data, but it is seriously flawed…

This paper estimates peer effects by taking advantage of random assignment of first-year roommates through a housing lottery at a large state university. Preliminary results show that, when compared with white students who have white roommates, white students with black roommates express much more positive attitudes regarding affirmative action…

Proposes substantial progress has been made for women in high administrative positions in community colleges during the last decade. Compares current top women administrators' personal and professional backgrounds and attitudes with their counterparts surveyed in 1972. Reflects on role of affirmative action and examines prospects for the 1980s.…

Examines validity of assumption that women and other under-representative groups in science have an edge in being hired and advanced, discussing academia's "tract record" and obstacles to full participation. Indicates that although advances have been made, inequities persist after hiring, such as in salaries. (Author/JN)

Discusses the philosophical rationale for preferential affirmative action presented by Daniel C. Maguire in "A New American Justice." Maintains that self-interest bars present society's acceptance of Maguire's theories of justice, as demonstrated in negative reactions to the Harvard Law Review's affirmative action plan. (MJL)

The Council for the Advancement of Experiential Learning (CAEL) held a conference on the uses and assessment of experiential learning in graduate education in 1981. Using an earlier report the CAEL wished to measure the progress of ten years. The reexamination of graduate education is advocated. (MLW)

Analyzes an affirmative action questionnaire sent to counselor education programs asking respondents to identify activities used to recruit, admit, and support members of four minority groups. Results indicate that in the absence of federal mandates, counselor education programs engage in a limited number of affirmative action activities. (Author)