Connerly averts showdown among regents
By Michael Howerton
Daily Bruin Staff
Averting a showdown, Regent Ward Connerly called off an
emergency performance review of University of California President
Richard Atkinson set for today, after Atkinson reaffirmed the
board’s power to set policy.
Atkinson’s decision to eliminate affirmative action criteria in
university admissions until the entering class of fall 1998 –
despite the regents’ expressed desire to implement the new policies
at the beginning of 1997 – unleashed waves of discontent among the
board. Atkinson’s action was so inappropriate, according to some
regents, that rumors circulated questioning the security of his job
and 10 regents called a special board meeting for today to review
his performance.
On Monday, Atkinson issued an apology for acting unilaterally in
setting the timetable and offered the compromise of implementing
the new policies for the incoming class of Spring 1998. Late in the
day, he issued another letter reaffirming his willingness to work
with the regents to ease the tensions that his decision has
caused.
In the letter to Gov. Pete Wilson, Atkinson said, "I am
committed to the implementation of the regents’ resolution in
accordance with the decision of the board."
Connerly’s official assistant, Ignatius Anyanwu said that since
the spring 1998 implementation date wasn’t part of Atkinson’s final
letter, Connerly interpreted that the president had conceded to the
regents’ proposed date.
Connerly and his supporters saw this as a full renunciation of
his position and assurance that Atkinson would follow the
guidelines set by the board.
"Atkinson has unequivocally committed himself to the regents’
implementation," Anyanwu said. "Mr. Connerly changed his mind
(about holding the meeting) since it is abundantly clear that
Atkinson will follow the implementation as said by the Board of
Regents."
However, a spokesman for Atkinson said that this was a
misinterpretation, and the letter sent to Wilson was only a
reiteration of Atkinson’s intention to implement the policy and
work with the regents – not a capitulation of his position.
"We are not violating the policy. There is no change (in
Atkinson’s decision). It will be Spring Quarter 1998 (for
undergraduate admissions)," said spokesman Mike Lassiter.Comments
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