NEWS
Nass to Board: Leave race out
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Also by Keegan Kyle:
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by Keegan Kyle
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Threatening legal or legislative intervention, Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, is calling on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents to cut the consideration of race from its revised admissions policy.
In a letter to Regent President David Walsh dated Feb. 5, Nass, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities, said he would request an opinion from the Wisconsin attorney general on whether race or ethnic-based admissions policies violate state law.
Nass spokesperson Mike Mikalsen added the legislator is willing to introduce statutory or constitutional amendments that would prohibit the regents from using race or ethnicity in the admissions process at UW System schools.
"At this point, we have no reason to believe that they are going to change the [race] policy," Mikalsen said. "Still, we are hopeful the UW regents will see the light."
UW System spokesperson David Giroux said the regents plan to discuss the admissions policy again this month and would consult with legal experts to verify its constitutionality.
"Of course we're not going to adopt a policy that violates the law," Giroux added.
The Wisconsin statute in question states, "No sectarian or partisan tests or any tests based upon race, religion, national origin of U.S. citizens or sex shall ever be allowed in the admission of students thereto."
"We think they're trying to get around this without much discussion," Mikalsen said. "They have not been willing to make changes."
Giroux, however, said the regents have been open to changing the policy's language, noting the first version of the updated admissions policy is significantly different than the current draft.
"The policy first came forward in December," Giroux said. "We've already made changes to the language based on some [concerns] back then."
In addition to the removal of any race-based admissions criteria, Nass also called for several language changes, which Mikalsen said would strengthen the document's "legalistic meaning."
For example, Nass said academics should be given "greatest weight" not "greatest consideration." Mikalsen said "weight" is a legal term that would prevent admissions officials from merely "considering" an applicant's academic qualifications.
"We believe that would have significant meaning," Mikalsen said. "If those changes are not made … then yes, you can expect additional action."
In the letter, Nass also recommended the regents further define or remove "socio-economically disadvantaged" and "sound educational judgment" from their proposed policy.
Giroux said the new admissions policy is meant to update old language and revise current policies. The current draft includes a provision that requires the board to review the policy every five years.
If passed, the new policy will provide "minimum requirements for freshman admissions and broad criteria for evaluating qualified applicants through a comprehensive, individualized review process" at all UW System schools. UW System schools may choose to implement additional requirements.
Anonymous (February 6, 2007 @ 7:35am):
Is "coastie" a race?
Anonymous (February 6, 2007 @ 11:25am):
Glad to see Steve is such a crusader for racial justice.
Oh wait, this is the first time he's ever cared the least bit about an issue having to do with race? And it's the race that is clearly the dominant majority in America in both population, opportunity and wealth?
Well then maybe he's just a bigot.
Anonymous (February 6, 2007 @ 2:27pm):
The U.S. Supreme Court will probably ban racial preferences in education later this year. So, this whole discussion may be only theoretical.
Anonymous (February 6, 2007 @ 3:35pm):
There is need for a probing discussion about race and admissions. The only thing I am certain about is that Nass does not have the UW's best interests in mind. I think, in fact, we have ample evidence that he would like to do real harm to the quality of public education in this state and UW-Madison in particular.
Anonymous (February 6, 2007 @ 4:52pm):
oh, i thought this was about the dane county board.
no ashok? no interest.
Anonymous (February 7, 2007 @ 12:47pm):
I hate when the University makes me agree with this lunatic. But the belief that we can make up for all sorts of inequalities by admitting unqualified students to our University system is absurd.
Fix the elementary schools, fix the high schools, make the neighborhoods safer, and provide jobs to those who need them. Students that go to these improved elementary and high schools will graduate with qualities and grade points that allow them to go to college. These are far more effective ways to deal with racial problems.
The belief that if we could just get more (unqualified) minority students into college it will solve our race problems is unfair qualified students, and unfair to those admitted based upon their race, as they will not be able to compete at the collegiate level.
Anonymous (February 8, 2007 @ 2:36pm):
I have to disagree with some of the previous comments. Representative Nass is the Assembly's leader on UW issues, so I think it is OK for him to give his opinion on the subject of UW admissions policies.
Anonymous (February 22, 2007 @ 4:03pm):
Nobody has questioned whether Nass can offer opinions given his position. The questions have to do with his goodwill and his judgment.
Anonymous (February 26, 2007 @ 11:27pm):
True. Nass is a UW critic, but when you consider the ruinous leadership of John Wiley (i.e. the Barrows, Barrett, Cohen, and Hong disasters), then it becomes easier to see why Nass and others don't give UW the benefit of the doubt. We need a new Chancellor at UW-Madison, and soon.
Anonymous (March 4, 2007 @ 9:12pm):
I agree. Where are Wiley and Farrell on this Leonard Kaplan fiasco? It is another example of failed leadership at Bascom Hall.
Anonymous (March 13, 2007 @ 9:17pm):
Right. Wiley should have shown leadership on the Kaplan mess, but he hasn't. He has posted some BS thing on his website, but that's not good enough at all.
Anonymous (March 19, 2007 @ 8:08pm):
Absolutely correct: John Wiley has no leadership ability at all. He is a complete and total failure as Chancellor.
Anonymous (March 22, 2007 @ 7:28pm):
I must agree. Wiley's run as chancellor at UW-Madison has been an undiluted catastrophe. Morale here is terrible. I believe permanent harm to the university will occur soon unless a new chancellor is appointed.
Anonymous (April 29, 2007 @ 9:55pm):
Correct. Wiley is a total bumbler. Anyone who has ever worked with him knows that. His instinct is to bury problems and cover them up, not fix them. This doesn't work, which is why all these scandals have erupted in the last few years. The sooner he is replaced, the better.
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