By Shauna Mecartea
Daily Bruin Reporter
An item to repeal SP-1 and 2 is slated on the agenda for the
upcoming UC Board of Regents meeting, though regents say the
measures may be replaced by another statute compliant with
Proposition 209.
SP-1 and 2 passed in 1995, ending the use of affirmative action
throughout the UC system. A year later, the state voter initiative,
Proposition 209, ended affirmative action throughout
California.
The measures will be addressed at the board meeting on May 16 at
9 a.m. as RE-28.
Because of Proposition 209, a repeal of SP-1 and 2 would be
considered symbolic, though important because minorities will feel
welcome to the UC system, proponents say.
“The climate has been real chilly since 1995,” said
Regent Odessa Johnson. “The climate will improve if SP-1 is
repealed.”
While Johnson and other regents want the language of SP-1 and 2
to be “softened,” some student groups want SP-1 and 2
completely dismantled.
“Our ultimate goal is the full repeal of SP-1 and 2 and
everything contained in those policies,” said Gabriel Perez,
a fifth-year political science and Chicana/o studies student and
member of the UCLA branch of the Affirmative Action Coalition.
Despite ongoing student rallies, regents say the measures will
be repealed only to be replaced by another measure that upholds
Proposition 209.
“We will replace SP-1 and 2 with a new resolution,”
said Regent William Bagley.
Because the language of the new proposal has not yet been
disclosed, Johnson does not know how how she will vote.
The new resolution is supported by a majority of the regents and
will create a welcoming atmosphere, Bagley said.
“It will send the message that we are no longer a cause
of, or sponsors of, a political movement,” Bagley said.
The first class to be admitted without affirmative action were
the freshmen of the fall 1998 class. Thereafter, the UC suffered a
drastic decline in the number of underrepresented minorities
““ Latinos, African Americans and American Indians ““
admitted. This was especially pronounced at flagship campuses such
as UCLA and UC Berkeley.
Since that time, those numbers have slowly increased as funding
for outreach programs has more than doubled at over $300 million.
But critics of the programs say that numbers have not increased
fast enough.
Despite the efforts to increase minorities in the UC system
without affirmative action in effect, others feel the
regents’ goal is not focused in the right direction.
“We want to see a real commitment to increasing
diversity,” Perez said.
As an action item, votes may be cast. A contrasting situation
arose at the March 14 meeting, where thousands of protesters urged
to put SP-1 and 2 on the agenda for a vote but were informed
discussion would be deferred.
According to regental policies, adding items suddenly is not
legal.
While activists were disappointed by the postponement, many are
pleased the regents are considering a repeal.
“After five years it’s finally happening,”
Perez said.
When Lt. Gov Cruz Bustamonte, regent by virtue of his office,
addressed the protesters at the last board meeting, he said there
were not enough regents present who supported the repeal.
“Issues of this magnitude are considered very carefully
before they reach the agenda,” said Trey Davis, UCOP
spokesman.
With reports from Andy Shah, Timothy Kudo, Marcelle Richards,
Marion Wise, Daily Bruin Senior Staff.