University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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: is affirmative Chip Peterson O upporters of Affirmative Actic gather outside of a University built) ing in a rally against discriminatic Affirmative Action policies at th University raised big issues for entire community and stirred prot ers and supporters into action. action fair? stsry by Jhn Although federal Affirmative Action policies date back to the 1 960s, discrimination remains the norm in American life, prevalent in the office place and the halls of education. Affir- mative Action programs attempt to remedy continued preju- dice against minorities and women. The results of these efforts have been quite significant. The number of minorities in both the private sector and federal government increased between 1966 and 1993. Educational opportunities for minorities and women expanded at the Uni- versity as a result of these advancements. Under a University initiative to expand minorities ' opportunities, there has been an increase in minority students at the University since 1986, reflecting the minority populations of the rest of the nation. Nursing sophomore Kimberly Collins agrees that these pro- grams benefit students at the University, Some people are only here [at the University] because of it. They are just as deserv- ing, but otherwise wouldn ' t get a chance. Despite some advances, troubling statistics illustrate why Affirmative Action programs cannot be put to rest. The unemployment rate for African Americans is twice that of Caucasians. White men compose 43 percent of the work force, but hold 95 percent of the senior management positions. Women are narrowing the earnings gap, but still only make 72 percent of what their male counterparts make. Critics scream about quotas and reverse discrimination, but fail to realize that quotas are illegal under federal law. In an effort to improve the program, President Bill Clinton said, Mend it, but don ' t end it. Despite the obvious advances that affirmative action policies lead to, it remains too early to sound the death knell for these programs. Affirmative Action should remain until equality is not just theory, but fact. 38 Affirmative Action atery by DUg Stevens The United States has long been the Land of Oppor nity. Americans take for granted that we all have the oppol tunity to advance as far as our intelligence, work ethic, persor ality and any other positive personal attributes will take usjj These are the ideals that America was built on. No limits placed on American citizens by their government. That is the American way. If equality is the foundation of American political thought, why would a program such as Affirmative Action, thai directly conflicts with this foundation, be regarded so highll among government officials, University administrators, anl employers? The spirit of Affirmative Action stems from thl idea that many minority groups have traditionally been disjj criminated against, and thus should receive preferential treal ment in areas such as University admissions and employmenj For instance, under current Affirmative Action policies, University admissions officer would not be out of line rejectin] a white applicant in order to give admission to an Africa American applicant with equal, or even slightly inferior cr dentials on the sole basis of skin color. If that does nc contradict the American ideal of equality, I ' m not quite sur what does. Senior biology major Chris Cahill agrees: It il exactly the opposite of what the civil rights amendment states.] Due to improved scholarship and financial aid funds many underprivileged Americans are eligible to have theij college tuition paid for. These factors open the opportunity fc anyone to pursue a higher education, if one is willing to wor| hard enough. There is no need to supplement these privilege with government-advocated, discriminatory policies based skin color. It is not necessary to reward people because of th( ethnic background. It is not the American way. iayut by Cart trigh

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Solii m protesting unfair contract conditions, Graduate Student Instructors rally for a new contract in April. One of the demands of the union was a change in title for its employees from teaching assistant to graduate student instructor. Student reac- tions to the strike were mixed, some enjoyed the extra t vo days without class, while others were annoyed that the GEO was infringing on their education. Chip] GEO

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Jf cohering with other Affirmative Action supporters, a student holds a sign promot- ing Affinnative Action policies at the Uni- versity. At this rally, people ofniait racial and ethnic backgrounds gathered to voice their opinions.