Diversity and Affirmative Action in a Student Body
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Problem: What are the reasons for encouraging diversity in a student body? How would you describe the value "diversity" in this context and what kinds of diversity would you include as valuable? What are the social and economic injustices that affirmative action is meant to address?
Particulars:
A small, private university located near Figaro, Buch University, will be hosting a forum on affirmative action in the college admissions process. Buch U is a major employer in the area, and they have invited a representative of the Figaro Committee on Human Rights to participate in the forum. Buch U has an admissions process in which they do not have any particular quota for racial or ethnic categories, but instead have the goal of creating a diverse student body as one of the factors in the admissions decision process. Even with this goal, the student body of Buch U is only 4.5 percent African American and 2 percent Latino, which is lower than both the national and local percentages of these racial and ethnic groups. At the same time, some local conservative groups have criticized the university for having any affirmative action or diversity policy, calling it 'reverse racism.' You put together some notes for yourself to prepare for the forum, covering the following issues: What are the reasons for encouraging diversity in a student body? How would you describe the value "diversity" in this context and what kinds of diversity would you include as valuable? What are the social and economic injustices that affirmative action is meant to address (for example, unequal access to education, past racism, or current economic disparities)? Give examples and use research to support your answers. Are these current issues or in the past? Do you support the idea of encouraging diversity or affirmative action policies in this context? Explain.
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Solution Summary
In reference to the scenario, reasons for encouraging diversity in a student body are overviewed and the questions are addressed. Research evidence is provided to support the responses to the questions. Supplemented with an article on Affirmative Action, including reasons why people are opposed to Affirmative Action.
Solution Preview
1. What are the reasons for encouraging diversity in a student body?
Having a diverse student body ensures through encouraging applications from all citizens ensures that all citizens receive fair and equitable treatment. Socializing with people from different racial or ethnic groups demonstrably promotes a student's commitment to fostering racial understanding. Also, businesses recognize the value of creating a multicultural workforce to boost productivity and increase revenues. Colleges and universities produce this skilled and diversified workforce (http://www.acenet.edu/bookstore/descriptions/making_the_case/works/leaders.cfm).
2. How would you describe the value "diversity" in this context and what kinds of diversity would you include as valuable?
The value of diversity is described above, it provides fair and equitable treatment to all students and trains and promotes a diverse workforce that research suggests boosts productivity and increases revenues. It is good for the economy in this way, Therefore to ensure that higher education is inclusive, college and university presidents should:
? Promote racial understanding and gender equity on campus.
? Create a campus environment conducive to racial and gender inclusiveness.
? Target resources and attention to programs that increase retention and graduation rates.
? Reject efforts to set lower standards for minority students and insist that all students receive a rigorous, high-quality education that prepares them for a technically complex and demanding future.
? Support effective admissions and ...
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