A muddled bill that calls on University of California and California State University campuses to consider race, ethnicity and gender when reviewing undergraduate and graduate applications should not be passed into law.
If passed, Senate Bill 185 would attempt to reverse, in some small way, the historically disadvantaged socioeconomic hand many minority groups have been dealt. Many SB 185 supporters argue that this legislation’s passage would grant underrepresented groups a chance at equal education.
Yet the bill is problematic in several respects. While it is true that the UC does not proportionally represent minority populations in California, this should not force public universities to grant non-merit-based acceptances. If unqualified students were accepted into the university on the basis of race, ethnicity or gender, performance gaps would become immediately apparent. While struggling students have tutoring services like the Academic Advancement Program at their disposal, tutoring can only help so much.
Tutoring services have also received less funding in recent years, in light of the current budget crisis. Dwindling resources coupled with a less-qualified student will make for an overly strenuous educational experience.
Most strikingly, SB 185 directly challenges state law. In 1996, California passed Proposition 209, which outlaws racial preference in state public schools.
SB 185 attempts to circumvent the roadblock Proposition 209 presents with ambiguous language: The bill merely states that public universities may “consider” minority status when making admission decisions.
Since the bill has failed to clearly articulate its intent at affirmative action, its passage wouldn’t add anything substantive to the already holistic application process in place at the UC. For years the university has been committed to assessing applicants “in terms of the full range of their academic and personal achievements, viewed in the context of the opportunities and challenges each has encountered.”
By implementing a merit-based system that does not seek to overcompensate the underrepresented, we encourage high-achieving students of minority backgrounds to apply to the UC. Enrollment and graduation numbers for both black and Hispanic students have increased in the years since Proposition 209.
Instead of looking to equalize educational opportunities at the college level, Californians should work to provide underprivileged students with stronger middle and high school education. This would equalize the playing field early on, meaning universities wouldn’t be forced to thrust unprepared students into a fast-paced academic lifestyle.
Ultimately, SB 185 asks us to consider race, ethnicity and gender a valid contribution to an applicant’s resume. When asked to choose between two identical applicants, the color of a person’s skin should not be a deciding factor.
Unsigned editorials represent the majority opinion of the editorial board.