Wednesday, April 8, 1998
What
DIVERSITY: Chancellor Carnesale explains how UCLA will handle
diversity under Proposition 209
Why do you think diversity is so important at UCLA?
There are three reasons why it is essential if we’re to
accomplish our mission.
First and foremost, we have an obligation to provide the very
best. Students learn much from one another, and their education is
enhanced by diverse students, viewpoints and lifestyles. So having
a diverse student body enhances the education of all students.
As a public institution, we have the obligation to educate all
segments of our population. This can only be accomplished with
students from many backgrounds.
Third, and more personally, access to education is the bedrock
to social mobility in the United States. This country is unique
because regardless of background, one can rise, and that requires
education. That’s what the American dream is all about.
You have long maintained that diversity was an essential element
in the success of UCLA. Now that the diversity of UCLA is in doubt,
what effect will the decline in minority admits have on the future
success of the university?
Our primary challenge is to minimize the effect on enrollments.
We admitted 1,500 students from underrepresented minorities, and
our main piece of business is to get them to accept us like we’ve
accepted them.
If we are successful, diversity will not be compromised. But
they, like other students, have other options. We don’t anticipate
that all of any group will enroll.
What efforts are being undertaken to recruit the students? What
groups are you working with?
We’re working with every group we can. Every admitted student
will receive at least one phone call from a faculty member,
student. or alumni of UCLA to encourage them.
Many of the underrepresented minorities will receive more than
one call. Second, alumni will send letters encouraging them to
attend, particularly successful alumni from underrepresented
groups.
We’re also inviting them to come on three separate dates for
tours and to have questions answered that they may have on their
minds. They’ll have a chance to meet with students and faculty.
What do you say to those groups who are upset at the admissions
figures?
This is a plea for help. Those individuals and groups who are
most disappointed, and have the most right to be outraged, are the
ones whose help we need the most.
It is not that I don’t understand the tension, but I hope we can
win support to get these students’ help, and best serve current
students and future students by maintaining diversity and
excellence.
On one hand it is understandable to demonstrate outrage with
these results. On the other hand, such tension can be
counterproductive to attracting underrepresented minority
students.
The admittance figures have gotten much attention in the media.
How do you think this will affect the number of underrepresented
minority students who will apply next year?
Enrollment figures are more important. I am concerned lest
underrepresented minority students feel they are not wanted or
needed at UCLA. If the enrollment figures drop, underrepresented
students may look elsewhere.
Many people have advocated changes in the admissions policy.
What kinds of changes do you think would help?
I’m looking into it, but many things people raise don’t improve
the situation.
One example is SAT scores. It might be true that if we lower the
standards more underrepresented minority students would get in, but
there would also be large increases in majority students or
represented minorities. When you look at that mix, it doesn’t
change.
This needs more careful examination, and it is being looked at
by a faculty commission.
What about the proposal to admit students from the top 4 percent
of each high school?
Four percent does little in the near term, but I do like it
because, for one, it does do something. Second, the signal goes out
to high school students that if you do well, then you will be
eligible for a position. Four percent is a number that people have
honed in on,and it won’t exclude too many.
Would changes in admission have to come from the regents?
Admissions policy, as a general rule, is delegated by the
regents to the faculty. The regents are the ultimate authority.
What is your position on Proposition 209?
It’s not useful for me to take a position on the law, but I can
state unequivocally that a diverse student body is essential for
UCLA to become great.
One of our most effective tools to achieve diversity is no
longer available, and that is affirmative action.
How is the emphasis on underrepresented minorities in recruiting
different from preferences in admissions?
We recruit everyone, but while we can’t give special preference,
we can use targeted mechanisms to achieve a diverse student
body.
What role does the faculty play in this process?
The faculty believes that they have three rights: what is to be
taught, who teaches, and to whom. The loss of affirmative action
impinges on the whom. It impinges on one of the bastions of the
education system.
Some have complained that the new admissions policy will create
a segregated system by reducing the number of underrepresented
minorities at the most popular UC campuses and increase the number
at the less popular UC schools. What do you think of this?
This would concern me, but my principle concern is UCLA and a
diverse student body. UCLA and Berkeley have, in the past, been
fortunate in attracting more underrepresented minorities … I
value diversity at UCLA and that is my principle concern.
Is there a trade-off between diversity and academic
excellence?
One of the most important things that UCLA has done is to debunk
that myth. The university has got more and more diverse and
achieved higher and higher degrees of success. The numbers (SAT
scores and GPA) have gone up as diversity has increased.
UC President Atkinson has pledged much money to outreach
programs to improve K-12 schools. This is a long-term solution.
What are the short-term plans to increase the diversity of
students?
I agree that these are long term plans, but if we don’t start
now, it will be another year before we can see these effects. We
can try to get things in place to benefit students very soon.
In the short-term, we need more of a presence in the schools. 50
percent of our freshman class is from Los Angeles County schools;
we have a big stake in local schools.
We will also try to get materials about the university and what
it costs made available, and in multiple languages. Many times
parents assume that it is financially impossible to send their
child to a first-rate university – this is not true in California,
but not everyone is aware of that.
We’ve also created the Chancellor’s Blue and Gold Scholarships
to try to encourage students from high schools traditionally unable
to provide students to UCLA to do so with some degree of aid.
What would you personally say to the student, current or
prospective, who believes that they are not wanted at UCLA?
What has happened reflects the law, not a changed view at UCLA
of the importance of diversity and representation of all
groups.
We should all realize we have the power to make this a negative
self-fulfilling prophesy. If any group should decide that UCLA will
not welcome them, then this will happen.
It may not be within our power to achieve the diversity we want
without affirmative action, but if they believe our intentions,
then it can happen.
Not only are underrepresented minorities wanted, they’re needed.
It’s the only way to provide the best education to all and fulfill
the mandate that we have.