The Shape of Affirmative Action
The policy aimed at equality has become the target of debate. Other universities have denied its usefulness. But U persues its concepts of diversity.
Story by Susanna Lööf
Illustration by Ross Sit
o Chris Howard, affirmative action is a stack of cash that helps him catch up with the other players in a game of Monopoly. It is a me that began years ago, a
Malone, it is an obstacle preventing the best people from getting jobs.
The sensitive topic of affirmative action was debated Tuesday night at the Jayhawk Room in the Kansas Union. About 40 people
attended the debate, called "Affirmative Action — Does It Heal Or Hurt?," which
was part of African-American History Month. Most
an history Month. Most of the people thought that the policy healed more than it hurt.
Howard, Lawrence junior, presented his Monopoly theory during a group discussion that followed the debate.
meant to make the playing field equal."
"All affirmative action does is let me have a chance," he said. "Affirmative action is
Malone to make the playing field equal.
Malone, Linwood senior, did not attend the debate, but she said she thought affirmative action did more harm than good.
"When they first put it into effect, it was really good because it opened a lot of doors to women and minorities," she said. "But now those doors are open, and we need to rely on our abilities." Affirmative action is harmful because it could prevent employers form hiring the best person for the
job, she said.
"Personally, I would not want to be hired simply because I was a woman," she said. "I would want to be hired on my merit."
Maggle Wilson, Lawrence freshman, shares that opinion.
lege campuses across the nation since the University of California abolished its affirmative
Affirmative action has been a hot topic on col-
tive action policy in July. Students at University of California's nine camp pu es s responded with
rallies and walks out to protest the decision. Four students at the University of California at Irvine went on hunger strikes. After 15 days, the students ended their protest, but the decision to abolish the policy stood firm. In a November 1995 interview in The Los Angeles Times, Richard Atkinson president of the University of California, said that California still was committed to reaching out
to the state's minor-
ties, even though the affirmative action policy had been abolished.
The University of Kansas won't follow the University of California's example, said Maurice Bryan, assistant executive vice chancellor and director c Office of Affirmative Action.
"California's problems aren't relevant to
Kansas," he said. "California was challenged because of the large number of minorities. Our real challenge is to get more minorities to come here."
Before affirmative action was abolished in California, minority students had an advantage that stu-
minorities didn't have.
But that doesn't happen here, said Deborah Boulware, director of admissions.
Source: Office of Affirmative Action
"Students are all treated the same, regardless of race," she said. "We apply the same standard to all students."
However, she said that the Office of Admissions was trying to attract more minority students by informing them about
the University
Bryan said affirmative action made the University a better institution, though he said he should be done to recruit minority faculty.
Many KU students have never encountered affirmative action personally. Malone said she expected it to be more of an issue when she entered the real world and applied for jobs.
But an increasing number of the internships available through the University Placement Center are geared toward minorities and women specifically, said Kim Scarbrough, internship coordinator.
"It is happening more frequently, but it is still the option to the rule," she said.
Companies such as Hallmark Cards, State Farm Insurance and the Dow Jones Newspaper Fund have internship programs geared towards minority students, she said.
Scarbrough said she thought minority internship programs might open new possibilities to minorities and might help compa-
had become more diverse. But she said she thought companies that
had internship programs available for all students also were important
were important.
"I want to be able to offer all students internships," she said. Despite the recent attacks on affirmative action, Bryan said the University would remain committed to the concept.
"It enriches the conversation that occurs in the classroom," he said. "I believe it will help us be a better educational institution."
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Tonight
The Deal with Purple Schoolbus, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. Cost: $4-$5.
Craig Akin House Band, 10 p.m. at Full Moon Cafe, 803 Massachusetts St.Free.
Redeye Rotgut, blues, 9 p.m. at Boomer's Smokehouse and Saloon, 601 Kasold Drive, Free.
Hit-it and Quit with Doctor Spit, 10
p.m. at The Jazzhouses of Lawrence, 926
1/2 Massachusetts St. Cost: $3.
Menthol with Triple Fast Action, 9
p.m. at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St. Cost: $3.
Fast Johnny, 9 p.m. at Johnnie's Tavern,
401 N. Second St. Cost: $2.
SDI, 9:30 p.m. at Grand Emporium, 3832 Main, Kansas City, Mo. Cover charge.
Nightlife topics
Tomorrow
Citizen King with Bastard Squad, 10
p.m. at the Bottleneck. Cost: $4-$5.
Turquoise Sol, 10 p.m. at Full Moon Cafe. Free.
Justin Case, 10 p.m. at The Jazzhaus of Lawrence. Cost: $3.
Interurban Express, jazz, 9 p.m. at Boomer's Smokehouse and Saloon Free.
Fast Johnny, 9 p.m. at Johnnie's Tavern.
Cost: $2.
Carolyn Wonderland and the Imperial Monkeys with Blue Museum, 8:30 p.m. at Grand Emporium. Cover charge.
Tim Nelson Benefit featuring Shallow, The What Gives, Danger Bob and Dorothy. 8 p.m. at The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. St.Cost. $5-$6.
Sunday
Sherry Jackson with Acoustic Juice,
10 p.m. at The Bottleneck. Cost: $3-$4
Too Slim and the Taildraggers, 9 p.m. at Grand Emporium. Cover charge.
Monday
Open Mic-Night, 9 p.m at The Bottle neck. Free.
Billy Goat with Good Puss and Pornhuskers, 9:30 p.m. at Grand Emporium. Cover charge.
Tuesday
Edwin McCain Band with Jewel, 10 p.m. at The Bottleneck. Advance tickets: $8.
Poetry Jam with Matt Fowler, 8 p.m.
at Full Moon Cafe. Free.
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