Professors say University of California should not ban affirmative action

Jet, June 17, 1996

After a five-month investigation, The American Assrociation of University Professors called the University of California (UC) Regents ban of affirmative action "ill-advised" and driven by "political motivation rather than educational concerns."

The report, based on interviews with University of California regents, administrators and faculty, said affirmative action should not be abolished at UC until there is a full review by a joint task force comprised of all levels of the university, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The impact of the report is largely symbolic. The association has no authority over the management of UC. But it did bring attention to the idea that UC should be free of political interference and governed with decisions shared by trustees, administrators and faculty.

The report said that Governor Pete Wilson played a role in the affirmative action rollback making it a political issue in his ill-fated run for president last year.

California's constitution is intended to protect UC from political interference, making it independent of the Legislature. Still the governor is president of the regents and appoints members to their 12-year terms.

Supporters of the affirmative action ban called the investigation panel, which included educators from across the country, biased in favor of affirmative action.