BW Online | May 8, 2003 | Is This a Quota System?

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MAY 8, 2003

READER SURVEY

Is This a Quota System?

The University of Michigan's method for scoring applicants is about to be judged by the Supreme Court. What's your verdict?

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Sometime in June, the U.S. Supreme Court will rule on a case challenging the criteria that the University of Michigan uses when considering students for admission. So, this seems like a good time to ask your views on such matters. Please remember that, as always, this isn't a scientific poll, since anyone who wishes to can participate. That said, let us know where you stand on the issues raised in the Michigan case.

How appropriate do you think it is for universities to take into account applicants' special characteristics -- such as their race, economic status, or athletic achievements -- when making admissions decisions?

	Very appropriate
	Somewhat appropriate
	No more appropriate than not
	Somewhat inappropriate
	Totally inappropriate
	Not sure

The University of Michigan judges applicants on a 150-point scale, where 110 points relate to academic performance. It also awards points to candidates based on a variety of other characteristics. Which of the following nonacademic point awards that Michigan uses do you think make sense (choose as many as you like):

	Underrepresented minorities (African American, Native American, Hispanic): 20 points
	Socioeconomically disadvantaged applicants: 20 points
	Graduates of predominantly minority high schools: 20 points
	Varsity athletes: 20 points
	Applicants (largely white) from Michigan's Upper Peninsula: 16 points
	Men who apply to nursing school: Unspecified points
	Leadership ability: 5 points
	Personal achievement: 5 points
	University Provost's discretion: 20 points

Michigan argues that such a system doesn't amount to setting quotas for various types of applicants, while critics argue that awarding points is in essence a quota system for minorities. Do you think Michigan's approach is:

	Definitely a quota system that unreasonably favors minorities
	Possible to construe as such a system
	No more likely than not such a system
	Probably not a quota system that favors minorities
	Definitely not a quota system
	Not sure

University admissions officers say the purpose of considering factors other than academic achievement is ensure that the school has a diverse student body, one that reflects the "real world" students will live in after they graduate. Given this goal, do you think the Michigan point system:

	Definitely is the right way to go
	Probably is the right way to go
	Is no more the right thing to do than not
	Probably isn't the right way to go
	Definitely isn't the right way to go
	Not sure

How likely do you think it is that major universities, which have four or five times as many applicants as they can admit, would have more than a token number of underrepresented minorities if they didn't make special efforts to recruit them?

	Very likely
	Somewhat likely
	No more likely than not
	Somewhat unlikely
	Very unlikely
	Not sure

How appropriate do you think it is for employers to practice affirmative action or exert a special effort to attract groups who may have been discriminated against in the past, such as minorities and women, when making hiring decisions?

	Very appropriate
	Somewhat appropriate
	Neither more nor less appropriate
	Somewhat inappropriate
	Totally inappropriate
	Not sure

How likely do you think it is that corporations would have more than a token number of underrepresented minorities if they didn't practice affirmative action or exert special efforts?

	Very likely
	Somewhat likely
	No more likely than not
	Somewhat unlikely
	Very unlikely
	Not sure

How committed do you think the Bush Administration is to fostering the participation of underrepresented minorities in universities and companies?

	Very committed
	Somewhat committed
	No more committed than not
	Somewhat uncommitted
	Not committed at all
	Not sure

Are you now in school?

	Yes
	No

Where do you live?

	Northeast
	Midwest
	South
	Southwest
	West
	Outside the U.S.

Who did you vote for in the 2000 Presidential election?

	Bush
	Gore
	Nader
	Didn't/couldn't vote

If you would like to be notified by e-mail of the results of this poll, please enter your e-mail address below.
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