Taking sides: Bush administration weighs in on affirmative action - In The News

University Business, Feb, 2003 by Tim Goral

A simmering national debate became a potential boiling pot in mid-January when the Bush administration filed a legal brief with the Supreme Court, opposing the University of Michigan's admission policies.

President Bush had earlier been prodded by affirmative action opponents to weigh in on the case that is now before the Supreme Court, in which three white students claimed they were denied admission to U Michigan in favor of lesser-qualified black students.

In a carefully worded statement, the president said he was a firm supporter of equal access in higher education, but the U Michigan policies were "fundamentally flawed and unconstitutional."

"University officials have the responsibility and the obligation to make a serious, effective effort to reach out to students from all walks of life without falling back on unconstitutional quotas," Bush said. "Schools should seek diversity by considering a broad range of Factors in admissions, including a student's potential and life experiences."

Bush's action, while seen by some as potentially polarizing--especially after the fallout from racial remarks made by Sen. Trent Lott--is consistent with his long-standing opinions on the subject. As a 1998 Texas gubernatorial candidate, Bush said, "Providing equal opportunity--not quotas--is the best way to ensure that people of all races and ethnic backgrounds have the chance to pursue the American dream."

U Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman said she agreed with Bush that diversity and equal access were important to the nation's colleges and universities.

"Where we disagree is on the means available to achieve that diversity," she said in a statement. "It is unfortunate that the president misunderstands how our admissions process works at the University of Michigan. It is a complex process that takes many factors into account and considers the entire background of each student applicant, just as the president urged."

Responding to charges by affirmative action opponents that the practice is merely a thinly disguised quota system, Coleman countered, "We do not have, and have never had, quotas or numerical targets in either the undergraduate or Law School admissions programs. Academic qualifications are the overwhelming consideration for admission to both programs."

A ruling in the University of Michigan case is expected by June.