Michigan Enrolls Fewer Minorities
One and a half application cycles after the state of Michigan banned the use of race in admissions, underrepresented minorities at the University of Michigan will make up 10.5 percent of the incoming freshman class, the Michigan Daily reports. Last year, which was only partially affected by the ban, the number was 10.8 percent, down from the 2006's 12.6 percent. Always looking on the bright side, university officials are "delighted" that this year's decrease was not more drastic.
The number of underrepresented minority applicants decreased by 1.9 percent, despite an 8.9 percent increase in total applications, which has prompted the university to increase recruiting efforts in low-income middle schools and high schools.
Tags: college admissions | University of Michigan | affirmative action
Tools: 
Share
|
| Comments (5) | Print
Reader Comments
the benefits of affirmative action...
I can sit here and go on and on about how Affirmative Action benefits institutions of higher education but I really don't have the time right now. My post is in response to people who believe that "To provide entry for any other reason demeans the student, lowers the school standards, and wastes taxpayer or school money. For every non-qualified applicant given an advantage, a qualified applicant is left behind..." I would like to respectfully disagree seeing as though I entered a credited four year institution through an Affirmative Action program. A strong majority of the students who are currently students or have since graduated would not have typically entered the university through regular admissions, for any multitude of reasons. The student in this program, on average, maintain a higher GPA than regular admission students and have a significant higher graduation rate. Had it not been for the Talent Development Program, I would not have been given the opportunity to graduate with two bachelors degrees (one in History and the other in Secondary Education) and a minor in African American Studies (and only one course away from minoring in Psychology). I also wouldn't have graduated with a 3.0 GPA nor would I be back at the same institution to two years upon graduation to pursue my Masters degree in human Development and Family Services. Being given the chance to take advantage of such a program provided me with the knowledge that I have today. If everyone had the same ideas as you, there would be a whole lot more of me struggling out in the real world without an education to fall back on.
Mixed Race
Because it's a "one drop and you're it" thing with mixed race kids! If you noticed Barrack Obama on the street you would think, there goes a black guy. Seriously, have YOU ever seen anyone call Halle Berry white?
I'm in favor of reaching out to give less priviledged kids more chances. But it is sort of a bummer, though, that Asian Americans are often penalized for excellence--for being overrepresented at top universities. Wish there was some way to resolve this.
Racial Profiling Shouldn't Be A Criteria
Enrollment should be based upon merit and achievement ONLY. To provide entry for any other reason demeans the student, lowers the school standards, and wastes taxpayer or school money. For every non-qualified applicant given an advantage, a qualified applicant is left behind. And who is to say what person is which race? I've heard some people of a certain percentage of parentage is one race because he "identifies himself" with that race. That enables a person of mixed heritage to "game" the system by claiming whichever status gives them the most advantage. For example, Obama is as much caucasian as he is black, so why does the media and populace only talk about his "blackness" and not his "whiteness"?.
advertisement
