Affirmative action's uncertain future; proponents of race-conscious admissions firm on belief, but less confident on whether policy could survive a Supreme Court review - Noteworthy News - "Affirmative Action in Higher Education" symposium held at Harvard Law School - Panel Discussion

Black Issues in Higher Education, March 28, 2002 by Diana Abouali

Edley pointed out that affirmative action is essential in a remedial sense, in addressing overt and subtle racial discrimination and in "dismantling the color caste." Orfield presented a number of misconceptions that cloud the discussion of affirmative action including the myth that discrimination is over; the misguided notion of a "neutral measure of merit"; and the belief that affirmative action is a zero-sum game. Kahlenberg called for the "mending, not ending" of affirmative action, a reference to the Clinton administration's approach to the issue.

Both Edley and Kahlenberg offered alternatives to affirmative action. Edley recommended alternatives to affirmative action in admissions policies that would achieve the goal of reducing discrimination and promote inclusiveness and diversity. Kahlenberg hoped that an alternative admissions policy might be based on class and economic status.

As an alternative to affirmative action, California, Florida and Texas have adopted "percentage plans," which proponents argue strive to achieve the goals of diversity and inclusiveness.

The University of Texas' percentage plan guarantees automatic admission to every student in the top 10 percent of the graduating class of every high school in Texas to the university of their choice within the University of Texas system.

According to Dr. David Montejano, a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin, the results of the percentage plan have been very encouraging. Minority admissions have been restored to pre-Hopwood levels, and Montejano expects them to eventually exceed them. Yet and still, opponents to the percentage plan approach argue this alternative does nothing to address the lack of diversity in graduate and professional programs.

Just recently, Texas A&M University officials delayed their plans to automatically admit the top 20 percent of graduating seniors from Texas high schools because legal concerns have not been answered in time for admissions this fall (see story, pg. 14).