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Enrollment Management Review

Higher Education and National Affairs

Affirmative Action in the Twenty-first Century

by Pushap Kapoor, Executive Director of Enrollment Services, Quincy College

Affirmative action is one of the most hotly debated issues in the United States, to such an extent that there is not even a consensus on its meaning. Higher education is no exception to this debate and is often at the forefront in court cases and legal proceedings. These are interesting times, on the one hand the Higher Education Act is up for reauthorization and on the other hand there is debate over the impact of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Next year during the fortieth anniversary of Executive order 11246, which initiated affirmative action, there will likely be talk about whether it has met its goals of providing access to education and jobs for the African-American community.

The demographics of the United States have changed since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed into law. In the next ten years, Hispanics are likely to surpass African-Americans in percentage of population. A Newsweek article from May 17, 2004 detailed the racial composition of public schools in 2000-2001:

Originally meant for the African-American population, are other minorities benefiting by Affirmative Action programs and if so, is this just?

Writing in America’s Untapped Resource, Richard Kahlenberg (2004) makes a strong case for a section of society that has been virtually written off by politicians and financial aid policy makers, the low-income students.

The share of high school graduates going on to higher education varies dramatically according to family income. Nearly three-quarters of students enrolled in 146 of the nation’s most selective colleges are from the top economic quartile, compared to three percent from the bottom economic quartile.

It is time to revisit affirmative action policies under the newly changed realities of the United States in the twenty-first century. Any system that does not address changed conditions or refuses to evolve is bound to create tension. I strongly feel that affirmative action policies should be based on economic conditions and poverty level and not on the color of one’s skin. Poverty is rampant in across all racial lines. According to the 2000 census, the poverty status by percent in Boston and Massachusetts by race, is as follows:

The intent of this study was to ascertain the support for a race-neutral admissions policy based on preferences to low-income students one year after the Supreme Court’s verdict in Michigan’s case. The target population for this study was the student population of public and private institutions of higher education in the Boston area. Anonymous surveys were administered at Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts and at the MBTA station of red line at the University of Massachusetts Boston over a one-week period in June of this year. A six-question snap survey sampling was developed that specifically asked for opinions on race-based and means-based affirmative action in admissions to institutions of higher education. Participants were randomly selected from commuters at the two locations; participation was voluntary and did not involve any remuneration. It was made clear to all participants that the survey was not for any ballot initiative or a public policy opinion group.

Survey and Response

Do you agree that a college/university should have a diverse student body?

In order to have a diverse student body, should preference be given to minorities based on race and ethnicity?

Originally meant for African Americans, other minorities (Asian, Hispanics, and others) are now also benefiting from Affirmative Action policies in gaining admission into colleges/universities. Do you agree with this use?

Non-citizens can also currently take advantage of Affirmative action policies for the same purpose. Do you agree with this use?

The G.I. Bill allowed thousands of WW II veterans to pursue a higher education irrespective of racial background. Do you agree with such color-blind policies?

Would you support an admission policy in colleges/universities that is based on preferences to students from low-income families irrespective of their race or ethnicity?

Discussion

A Newsweek poll in January 2003, found Americans opposed preferences to African Americans in admission by 68% to 26%, but supported preferences for low-income group from all races by 85% to 28%. A LA Times poll in February 2003, found support for admissions policies directed toward low-income students by 59% to 31%. Both these polls were conducted before the final decision on the Michigan case.

The most glaring outcome of this survey is the refusal of almost 51% of the population to identify with a particular race. Is this any writing on the wall for financial aid policy makers? Four out of five participants wanted to have a diverse student body on campus, but do not want preferences to be given to minorities to achieve this goal. Except for minority students, all favored no affirmative action benefits to recent immigrants and non-U.S. citizens. Four out of five favored color-blind policies like the GI bill that allowed thousands of war veterans to pursue a higher education. Ninety percent of all polltakers support an admission policy that is based on preferences to students from low-income families.

It is time to revisit and discuss affirmative action policies in the corridors of schools, colleges and in Congress. Since the majority of low-income students also represent minority communities, an admissions policy based on socioeconomic status will still ensure diversity on college and university campuses nationwide.