Syracuse University Senate votes for message in support of affirmative action

Syracuse University Senate votes for message in support of affirmative actionFebruary 13, 2003Kevin Morrowkdmorrow@syr.edu

The Syracuse University Senate, at its Feb. 12 meeting, approved a resolution in support of affirmative action drafted by SU law professor Paula Johnson.

The resolution reads:

“American society currently is at the threshold of a momentous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on the issue of affirmative action in higher education. The decision in the two cases from the University of Michigan, Gratz v. Bollinger and Grutter v. Bollinger, will determine whether institutions of higher learning can continue to consider race and ethnicity among other factors in admission decisions. These cases will be heard by the Supreme Court on April 1, 2003, with a decision expected in June 2003.”

“Education provides a critical opportunity for full participation in our diverse democratic society. Despite significant progress over the last 30 years, since the Supreme Court’s decision in Bakke v. Regents of the University of California, students of color remain under-represented at American colleges, universities, graduate programs, and professional schools. This is particularly so for African American, Latino, and Native American students.”

“As educators in a broad range of academic disciplines, we recognize the importance of diversity in the classroom and throughout the educational environment. We know that our students learn not only from us, but also from each other in formal and informal interactions. We also know that only an environment that is rich in racial, ethnic, and many other forms of diversity will facilitate the highest educational accomplishment by our students and prepare them to work effectively in the global community.”

“Therefore, be it resolved, that, because Syracuse University is an institution that values diversity, equality, and access to higher education, the Syracuse University Senate hereby supports continued consideration of race and ethnicity in affirmative action policies in admissions. As one important criterion among others, we urge the U.S. Supreme Court to reaffirm this legal principle.”