Since the University of California stopped using race
considerations as a factor in college admissions, many campuses
have seen a steady decrease in the amount of minority students
enrolling in each year’s freshman class.
But along with the decrease in the number of students from
underrepresented ethnic groups, the level of activism at UC
campuses traditionally known for their political involvement
““ including UCLA ““ has dropped noticeably, according to
university officials.
The link between the decrease in diversity and the gradual
disappearance of visible demonstrations on campus has not gone
unnoticed.
According to Claudia Mitchell-Kernan, the vice chancellor for
the graduate department, the change in campus demographics has had
a permanent impact on campus culture.
“The change does have something to do with the decline in
the numbers of some groups ““ especially African Americans,
who were quite often at the forefront of such
demonstrations,” she said.
Last week, the UC released figures which show decreases in the
number of underrepresented minority students admitted for fall
quarter 2004 across the system. The statistics include a dramatic
drop in the number of black students, with only 199 applications
accepted.
Berky Nelson, director of the Center for Student Programming,
said the drop in minority-student admissions would mean that
existing ethnic groups on campus will not be able to create a
“critical mass” ““ sufficient numbers of
representatives to bind together and voice opinions on issues
facing that community.
Nelson added that minority students tend to be more involved in
activism because they are more critical of society and
“long-standing inequities.”
“When you don’t have a critical mass of students to
represent a position or provoke change, you will have a drop-off in
activism,” he said.
At UCLA, the average income level of enrolled students is also
on the rise, Mitchell-Kernan said, which may also have contributed
to a more pacified campus environment.
“Lots of students come from affluent backgrounds and may
not be so concerned with certain social issues,” she
said.
Nelson suggested that the change in numbers of students from
specific minority groups since the UC banned race considerations in
admissions with SP-1 and -2 in 1995, as well as cultural
differences between ethnic groups, have affected activism.
The end of affirmative action saw many more Asian American
students admitted to UCLA, while the number of students from
underrepresented minority groups ““ blacks, American Indians,
Chicanos and Latinos ““ has steadily declined.
“Without generalizing, I would say that Asian Americans
have not had a traditional role of activism in the United
States,” Nelson said. “They believe the way to success
is through education, so they might study hard at the expense of
things others may deem relevant.”
But perhaps activism is just not as visible today as it has been
in the past because students are choosing to voice their opinions
through different methods.
Alfred Herrera, director of the Center for Community College
Partnerships, is involved in outreach. He explained phone calls,
personal visits to legislators and letter writing have become more
effective methods of protest.
“It is easier to dismiss a large group than someone you
are face to face with ““ perhaps there are so many visual
protests people have become conditioned to ignore them,”
Herrera said.