Undergraduate Admissions & Affirmative Action Maintaining Excellence In A Changing Environment Fall Executive Board Meeting August 19, 2003
Recent History California: Proposition 209 (1996) California: Proposition 209 (1996) Abolished all public-sector programs in education (incl. admissions, recruiting and outreach) Texas: Hopwood Decision (1996) Texas: Hopwood Decision (1996) 5 th Circuit ruled against UT University of Georgia (2000) University of Georgia (2000) Ruling declares consideration of race/gender violates equal protection; University suspends use in admissions University of Michigan (1997) University of Michigan (1997) Undergraduate Admissions & Law School lawsuits regarding use of race/ethnicity in admission decisions
The Decisions Gratz v. Bollinger Gratz v. Bollinger Undergrad admissions admits to assigning points in process for minority students 150 total points: 20 for race, athletes and socioeconomic status Point system is declared unconstitutional
The Decisions Grutter v. Bollinger Grutter v. Bollinger Law School asserts that its policy is necessary because of a compelling state interest in diversity Critical Mass Individual Review Supreme Court supports school’s use of narrow tailoring
Michigan Response Pleased with the outcome Pleased with the outcome Modifying applications for more info Modifying applications for more info Family educational background Family financial background Expensive endeavor Expensive endeavor Hire additional readers Longer processing time
Georgia Tech Admissions 10 Years Ago 10 Years Ago Current Policy Current Policy 4 Components Holistic Review Targeted Recruitment Targeted Recruitment
Freshman Admission Criteria High School Academic Information High School Academic Information Standardized Test Scores Standardized Test Scores Activities and Leadership Activities and Leadership Personal Statement Personal Statement
Freshman Class 2003 PROSPECTS 88,650 APPLICANTS 8,479 ACCEPTED 5,322 EXPECTED ENROLLMENT 2,200
As Strong As Ever Admitted Class Admitted Class 3.79 GPA 1337 SAT
Special Recruitment Efforts Programming Programming MRT FUTURES Targeted Contacts Alliances Alliances CEISMC Women In Engineering
The Results Women Women 1507 Admitted 1344 SAT 3.84 GPA Blacks Blacks 334 Admitted 1286 SAT 3.70 GPA Hispanics 237 Admitted 1349 SAT 3.75 GPA Fall 2003 Freshman Pool
The Results Women Women 608 Deposited 1311 SAT 3.81 GPA Blacks Blacks 126 Deposited 1262 SAT** 3.70 GPA Hispanics 71 Deposited 1298 SAT 3.70 GPA Fall 2003 Freshman Profile
The Current Framework Consideration of diversity under Powell’s concurring opinion in Bakke permits the use of race or ethnic background as a “plus” Consideration of diversity under Powell’s concurring opinion in Bakke permits the use of race or ethnic background as a “plus” The factor of race cannot be decisive The factor of race cannot be decisive Each applicant must be considered as an individual Each applicant must be considered as an individual No single characteristic defines what contribution a person can make to diversity No single characteristic defines what contribution a person can make to diversity Source: Dennis Dunn, Deputy Attorney General
How Colleges are Responding Legal Counsel Review of Policies/Practices Legal Counsel Review of Policies/Practices Preparation for Next Wave of Challenges Preparation for Next Wave of Challenges Study of Dissenting Opinions in Michigan Case Study of Dissenting Opinions in Michigan Case Seeking Creative Ways to Continue Commitment to Diversity Seeking Creative Ways to Continue Commitment to Diversity
Next Steps for Tech Determine What (if any) Changes Are Made Determine What (if any) Changes Are Made Continue to Expand Qualified Pool Continue to Expand Qualified Pool Continue to Strengthen Existing Programs Continue to Strengthen Existing Programs Everyone Must Articulate GT’s Diversity Interests Everyone Must Articulate GT’s Diversity Interests Remain Committed to Our Diversity Goals Remain Committed to Our Diversity Goals
Discussion...