The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case Wednesday about racial equality on college campuses — but not how you might think. A white student, Abigail Fisher, is seeking justice because she was denied admission to the University of Texas. She claims the school was trying to match its campus with state demographics.
In 2008, the University of Texas took the top 10 percent of high school graduates, and then filled its roster using race as an acceptance factor. However, The New York Times said taking the top 10 percent didn’t satisfy the university’s diversity expectations, and Fisher was left out.
If the court rules in Fisher’s favor, it would strike down an earlier ruling that allows colleges to use racial diversity as an admissions goal. At the same time, colleges cannot use race as the determining factor.
The race question is a tricky issue. Colleges need diversity — especially in states like Idaho that aren’t known for having the most diverse populations.
The question is how best to achieve diversity.
Some have called for race or ethnicity to be left off college applications completely, even though these questions are already optional when filling out the application.
Leaving questions about race and ethnicity off applications would make each application equal — applicant reviewers would only see grade qualifications, extra-curricular activities, character references and other factors.
In this system, the unknown factor is where diversity on campus would come from. Would taking the top student applicants provide a slanted demographic, like it presumably did in Texas?
Some condone specific recruitment efforts among ethnic groups. Still others insist that recruitment and admissions efforts are better based on economic qualifications.
Campus diversity is a critical issue. Sometimes it provides a stone to grind our teeth against. Sometimes we find out we all aren’t so different.
In today’s world, diversity includes not only race and ethnicity, but also politics, religion, sexual orientation and a host of other qualifications.
Perhaps its time to shift our focus from race and ethnicity and include other diversity factors in college admissions. One solution might be letting diverse students flow naturally into college by putting more effort into recruiting, and not considering their race in admissions decisions.
Because at some point focusing so intently on diversity hurts diversity efforts.
— KC