Northeastern University's Torch Scholars Program is designed to seek out first-generation students who would not qualify under the university's regular admissions process. The scholarships go to motivated students who have shown determination in overcoming personal challenges. Northeastern believes the experiment will enhance the socioeconomic…

For more than four decades, universities have used affirmative-action policies to increase the participation of U.S.-born women and members of minority groups in higher education, where traditionally they have been under-represented. Yet those policies, often applied in decisions about which students to admit and which faculty members to hire,…

Throughout the 20th century, one of the central debates pertaining to postsecondary education has been about the concept of merit. Who deserves to go to college? The answer to that question goes to the heart of various policies that have been developed, changed, and debated. Perhaps no other policy has drawn more prominence and criticism than that…

New York State should develop a comprehensive justification for its involvement in minority business development and each State program should be closely associated with that rationale. Minority business development programs are often short-sighted, potentially conflicting, and yield unimpressive results. Development of Economic Development Zones…

Equal opportunity for women was last examined by the New York State Board of Regents in 1972. This document contains two papers: (1) a policy paper "Equal Opportunity for Women" prepared by the Regents reaffirming their commitment to gender equity by proposing an action plan; and (2) a background paper, "Equity for Women in the…

In order to evaluate the role of race in the experience of African-American and other non-white admissions professionals at institutions of higher education, a survey was conducted. The study subjects were 130 minority admissions professionals who participated in a staff development program for non-white admissions professionals. The study sought…

Issues of racial harmony in higher education are the subject of this address to participants at a college workshop on cultural diversity. Recently campuses across the country have seen an unparalleled explosion of racially-charged or motivated incidents sparking dialogue among students, staff, faculty and administrators. In addition, accrediting…

This Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) kit begins with a summary by Kriza A. Jennings of the results of a survey which focused on identifying the practices of the 119 member libraries of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) in the areas of cultural diversity, recruitment, and affirmative action practices. It is noted that of the…

Few researchers have examined employee attitudes toward affirmative action and equal employment programs. To examine both the attitudes of various groups within one organization toward Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and ideas concerning specific programs suggested by these same groups, corporate employees (N=1,791--or 53% of those surveyed)…

An associate professor at the State University of New York at Albany (SUNYA) describes reactions and counterreactions to SUNYA's affirmative action plan and discusses the broader issues of "quotas" and reverse discrimination, challenging the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) to take a more positive role in working for…

Data from 191 institutions which placed notices in the "Chronicle of Higher Education" revealed that there are qualified minority and female candidates available and members of minority groups are making progress toward employment (females even greater progress) while white males are not being "closed out" of the hiring process. (Editor/JT)

Issues such as income, occupations, affirmative action, family structure, social class, and poverty are discussed in terms of their appropriate assessment to develop social policies and programs. Methodological biases, such as making generalizations about groups on unrepresentative samples, are discussed. (AM)

Suggests that a refusal to test for competency because of so-called cultural biases is highly political and deprives one of any tool to determine who has appropriate skills. Criteria for excellence cannot be dropped for an extended periot of time without serious social and economic repercussions. (Author/AM)

Examines the DeFunis case and preferential admissions policies, the standard of judicial review in testing these programs under the equal protection clause, the relevance of the educational setting to the scope of judicial review, the goals offered to justify preferential admission, and possible alternative means of accomplishing the goals. (JT)

Vocational educators can take the initiative in improving opportunities for women in the world of work and in education by developing and implementing affirmative action programs and encouraging consciousness-raising activities. (Author/MW)