Texas A&M Persues a Race-Neutral Admissions Policy

I found out last night that Texas A&M "will establish no numerical quotas or targets" when it admits students in the future and "personal merit - individual achievement, leadership potential and personal strengths - is the only criterion for admission." I applaud these moves and statements by A&M President Robert M. Gates, though I feel it's a shame the Gawd of Diversity continues to push people in education rather than objective intellectual standards. At least he's got a decent principled stand to lean on. More on this later, but some people simply cannot give up affirmative action in state-run institutions of higher education.

Other interesting bits from Mr. Gates's speech:

In all of these initiatives, we have been guided by one fundamental philosophical premise: each and every student admitted to Texas A&M will be admitted on the basis of a competitive process focused on individual achievement, merit and leadership potential.

Let's see how well that stacks up.

Currently, all students admitted to Texas A&M fall into three categories: 1) those admitted under the Texas top 10% law - this accounts for about half of our freshman class; 2) those receiving automatic academic admission, which requires scoring at least 1300 on the SAT and ranking in the top half of their high school class - about a quarter of the freshman class; 3) the remainder, those reviewed on an individual basis, with focus not only on academic achievement but also on extracurricular achievements, unusual experiences, special talents and skills, and leadership potential.

Sounds reasonable. When I got admitted to UT-Austin, I made it under the top 10% law.

This week we will propose to the Board of Regents two changes in admission requirements. First, we will ask to raise the standard for automatic academic admission from the top half of the high school graduating class to the top one-quarter. While the combined SAT Math and SAT Verbal test score of 1300 would remain unchanged, we propose that the student must score at least 600 in each of the two components of the SAT. Corresponding scores would be required for applicants choosing to present ACT test results. Based on past experience, this will reduce the number of students receiving automatic academic admission from about 1700 to about 850. This will open up roughly another 850 places in the freshman class where applicants can be evaluated on the basis of the whole person - that is, individual merit based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, unusual experiences, leadership potential, and special talents. This group being evaluated individually likely will comprise about a third of the freshman class.

High standards are good. This is an interesting approach that frees more slots for A&M to pick and choose it's students. Of course, the worry is this new discretion will mean students will be racially discriminated against...well, I did say more on this later.

Second, since 1998, all applicants for public colleges and universities in Texas have been required to complete the Texas Common Application. There are four essay questions in the application. Question A asks students to "Describe a significant setback, challenge or opportunity in your life and the impact it has had on you"? Question B asks students to "Describe how you, as a student, are a good match with us as a learning community. How will your individual characteristics lead you to make a contribution to our campus? (Be sure to shape your essay to reflect the college major you have selected.)" Question C asks students for additional information "you wish to be considered in the decision to admit you" - for example, exceptional hardships or achievements, personal responsibilities, educational goals and ways in which the student has associated with the university. Question D asks the student to describe an aesthetic experience.

Currently, completing any of these essays is optional in applying to Texas A&M. With the Regents' approval, we will require students to answer Questions A&B. In our effort to evaluate more students on the basis of the whole person, this will provide us with significantly more information on each applicant, particularly with respect to what each would contribute to Texas A&M.

[...]

If the Regents approve these changes in admission requirements, under state law, they would not go into effect until December 2004, or for the 2005 entering class.

Greater flexibility in determining the background of the applicant is also a good thing.

Some will criticize our special efforts to reach out to students in Texas who are Hispanic, African-American, Asian-American, or economically disadvantaged. Some argue that promoting diversity itself is a mistake. I believe they are mistaken. Getting to know people from different cultures, from different economic circumstances, from different regions and countries, with different beliefs and backgrounds, significantly enriches learning. This, and the need to educate future leaders for the nation, were explicitly recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 2003 Grutter v. Bollinger decision, written by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Exposure to a diverse learning environment also better prepares students for the real world beyond college.

My biggest problems with all this are threefold.

I don't like things that are forced. I like things that develop naturally, through the voluntary actions of individuals. If some schools have a reputation for a ideological, religious, cultural, or ethnic slant, and that slant occured through the unhindered choices of a market, then those schools should be left alone. The common sets of beliefs we share, the disagreements we hold with others, and the personal circumstances surrounding each of us drive our decisions; it's our individual systems of valuation that make us unique. The shifting sands of free choice should be what make up our society, not the opinions of public officials being imposed from above.

Another problem I have is that this kind of statement gives credibility to the view that your race and your class define you. This is collectivization. I don't think it is fair, right, or logical to act one way towards one person and one way towards another simply on the basis of race or other characteristics we have no control over. Nor do I support any statements or actions that attempt to remove blame away from individual actions and towards groups.

Finally, I dislike it when people rely on Appeals to Authority to make their case. In this instance, the Supreme Court's admissions decision. I understand that it's a legal decision and there are repercussions if not followed, but a law or legal opinion can be wrong, along with the people who authored them.

I appreciate the benefits of experiencing a variety of cultures, beliefs, and ideas. Knowledge allows us to make better decisions. Ignorance hinders this. However, knowledge and experience should not be forced on anyone. The choice to participate or nor must remain.

Mr. Gates goes on to detail some of the other proposals A&M wants to use to increase it's diversity, most of which are extensions or typical college promotion activities such as campus vists, special event days, family question answering sessons, etc.

Of particular interest to the core issues surrounding the admissions policy, though, is this:

An area of special emphasis will be getting minority students who meet our standards and are admitted actually to enroll. Currently, only 44% of African-American, 48% of Hispanic, and 33% of Asian-American students we admit actually enroll as students here. This contrasts with 62% of white students who are admitted and then enroll. We must persuade more minority students who we admit and who we want to come here actually to do so - to see Texas A&M as their university of choice.

This is something I had never considered during these debates, even though it strikes right to the core of my arguements above. What if, once admitted, a minority student chooses not to actually enroll? Those percentages he quotes are very significant; the three largest minority groups have enrollment rates of less than 50%.

There can be many explanations for this. As I see it:

1. The students may have applied to several colleges and once they've been admitted to a few, proceed to pick the one they want the most. Texas A&M is a great univeristy, but it can't be the #1 for every student who applies, especially if a more presitgious or specialized school accepts them. In a similar vein, perhaps they like A&M but another college is closer to (or further from...) home, has cheaper tuition, or has friends and family of the applicant already going there.
   
2. The students are turned off by the culture at A&M. This could be a potent rhetorical weapon for the pro-affirmative action side, who would say the "white-dominated" atmosphere of the university intimidates minorities and scares them away. Of course, to assert that would require supporting evidence, such as a questionnaire for people who turn the university down. Don't expect those poll results to be very comprehensive and don't assume a potential A&M minority student walks away from the university only because he or she didn't feel comfortable with being around so many Caucasians.
   
3. Perhaps the potential student has to turn down the university because a family or friend crisis occurs and he or she wants to be there to help.
   
4. A job opportunity presents itself that's too good to pass up. This isn't what derailed me, but it's what currently holds me back the most.
   
5. The applicant is in a relationship that is about to bear a child. Some people would rather not go to school and take care of a child at the same time.

Of course, all these apply to every college applicant (as witnessed by the 62% Caucasian enrollment rate). So why are minorities less likely to join? I have no answer for that.

We will establish no numerical quotas or targets as we seek to increase the diversity of students who enroll. We only know that where we are is unacceptable, and that the future of Texas A&M depends on being more successful in attracting more minority students to join the Aggie family.

But how will you know when you've succeeded in your quest to increase minority enrollment? What metrics will you use to determine this? Even if you pick something inoccuous like matching the statewide percentage racial breakdown, that is itself a numerical target, albeit one that changes over time. You can't engage in a goal without explaining what that goal is, and if increasing minority involvement at Texas A&M is the goal because the current level of 82% white, 2% black, 9% Hispanic, and 3% Asian-American undergraduate enrollment is nacceptable," then there must be an objective point where it will change to "acceptable."

Don't pander to the anti-quota crowd (of which I am a part) by making silly statements like this. Think of it this way: when will the Texas A&M President decide to announce the program is a success? How will that be determined? And most importantly, how will you communicate that to the public...who will want NUMBERS to back up the assertions.

I am today announcing the Texas A&M "Regents Scholarships." Every student admitted to Texas A&M who is a first generation college student and whose family income is $40,000 or less, will be guaranteed in his or her admission letter a $5,000 per year scholarship for four years - with the ability to add other scholarships, for which many will be eligible, up to the cost of attendance. Last year, about 575 freshmen would have been eligible.

Whoa. That's freakin' generous. Census data on Texas says the median family income is $45,861. Approximately 2,288,800 familes earn less than $40,000 a year, out of about 5,248,000 families total. The median income for black familes is $29,305 and the mean is $39,015. For Hispanic/Latino families, it's $32,626 and $44,471 respectively. Asian familes are far ahead, at $50,049 and $63,230 respectively. White familes fall between, with $42,941 and $58,739.

A lot of people will be eligible for that money. I hope A&M can afford it.

Overall, President Gates gave a great speech and I agree with it in a broad sense, even though the school is state-owned and -run.

Now, to the rest of the post.

It is unfortunate, but not unexpected, that the Democrat naysayers haven't exactly been gracious in disagreement.

Black lawmakers rip A&M decision

Black legislators from Texas threatened Thursday to ask for a federal civil rights investigation into the decision made by Texas A&M University's president to not use race preferences in admissions.

"I'm outraged," said state Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, about the plan announced Wednesday by A&M President Robert Gates.

"Race was used in Texas over a long period of time to keep people of color, especially African-Americans, out of the higher education system," Ellis said. "It only seems appropriate that race could be used as a factor, just as legacy is used."

[...]

Ellis said Houston hosted a national convention of black legislators Thursday, and he was "embarrassed" that Gates' decision was announced without the input of black legislators from Texas.

Ellis and and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, said they will pursue legal action if they are not satisfied that Gates' proposal will increase diversity at A&M, which is 82 percent white, 2 percent black, 9 percent Hispanic and 3 percent Asian-American.

[...]

"This is an enormous insult and a smack in the face," said Jackson Lee. "What are we doing, going back to the 18th century?"

Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

A&M admissions policy irks minority legislators

"What we are asking - no, what we are demanding - is that A&M show significant improvement in their diversity this fall as relates to admission of African-Americans and Hispanics, not only at the undergraduate level, but also at the graduate level," Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas, said shortly after a Capitol meeting with Gates.

[...]

West said Gates' promise isn't enough and threatened legislative retribution.

Citing appropriations and confirmations of appointments, West said that without improvement "there will in fact be issues that A&M will have to face during the legislative process."

Copyright 2003 Associated Press, All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2003Houston News Channel, L.L.C d.b.a. News 24 Houston

Plans may raise heated debate in Legislature

"Let's be clear about it - A&M does not have a good record as it relates to diversity," said state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas. "And to set up a handicap to the institution as it relates to using race makes me wonder whether or not this administration is going to be successful in increasing the diversity at A&M."

[...]

Texas A&M has been more heavily criticized - particularly by nonwhite legislators - for its efforts at reversing minority enrollment trends. A&M's decision to go with race-neutral admissions even after this summer's Supreme Court ruling is fueling the fire of increasingly frustrated lawmakers like West.

"I'd like to see it be more reflective of the diversity of the state - not 10 years from now, immediately," West said. "Not a project to say, 'We'll cure it with time,' because that's what we've said over the 10 years I've been in the Legislature."

© 2000 - 2003 The Bryan - College Station Eagle

Texas A&M defies trend, won't use race as admissions factor

Ify Ukpong, a black junior from Tyler, said she was disappointed.

"In a perfect world, race should not be a factor," she said while waiting in line to see a movie on campus. "But this is not a perfect world. Even if black students get in on their merits, people will think they got in because of race. I think it's kind of sad."

Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle

Also from the Houston Chronicle (notice a trend here?) is this comment:

"As a result of our conference today, there will be specific performance measure criteria established because there were none," said Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo. " 'Trust me' just won't cut it, even from someone as nice and well-intentioned as President Gates."

All of this I find absolutely pathetic. The bleating authoritarians angry with this decision refuse to consider anything but racial preferences. Preferences that are objectively racist and hurtful towards those not of the preferred race. Even worse, some are wondering aloud if there should be state-wide admissions standards for all Texas colleges.

I salute President Gates for his speech and policy change.

Posted by Drizzten at December 09, 2003 02:12 PM