Diversity in
Admissions
Enhancing the Educational
Environment
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Commitment to Diversity
“We can achieve our goals by thinking
of diversity as not a separate issue,
but rather, a part of every facet of this
university.”
– Kevin P. Reilly, President, UW System
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UW System Definition of
Diversity
The UW System defines diversity
broadly, to include and acknowledge
differing personal characteristics,
experiences, and talents as well as
social and cultural differences due to
gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic
status, age, nationality, religion,
physical ability, and sexual
orientation.
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Diversity Enhances the
Educational Experience
“… numerous studies show that student
body diversity promotes learning
outcomes, and better prepares
students for an increasingly diverse
workforce and society, and better
prepares them as professionals.”
Grutter v. Bollinger, 2003, U.S. Supreme Court
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Diversity in Admissions
Enhancing the educational experience
for all begins with an admissions
process that takes diversity into
account.
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The Legal Context
for Considering
Diversity
in Admissions
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Race and Ethnicity in
Admissions Decisions
• Regents of the University of California v.
Bakke, 1978, U.S. Supreme Court
• Gratz v. Bollinger, 2003, U.S. Supreme
Court
• Grutter v. Bollinger, 2003, U.S. Supreme
Court
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What the Supreme Court
Cases Tell Us
If institutions use race and
ethnicity as factors in
admission, they should also:
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• Demonstrate the educational benefits of
diversity
• Link diversity goals to institutional mission and
goals
• Broaden diversity goals to encompass more
than race or ethnicity
• Consider race and ethnicity as factors among
others, not the defining characteristic of an
applicant
• Consider applicants using individualized,
holistic review
• Review applicants fully and in relation to the
entire entering class
• Periodically review need for use of race-
conscious process
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Institutions Should Not
• Define diversity solely with respect to
race and ethnicity
• Use separate admission standards or
processes based on race or ethnicity
• Use quotas
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Achieving the
Educational
Benefits of Diversity
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Key Strategies
to Meet Educational Goals and
Comply with Legal Standards
1. Establish Goals
2. Inventory
3. Assess
4. Act
Note: This four-step strategy is loosely based on a presentation by
Arthur Coleman on Admissions (Selection) and Federal Law,
November 2005, sponsored by The College Board.
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1. Establish Goals
• Establish or reinforce clearly-
defined, institutionally-specific,
mission-driven, diversity goals
• Publicize and institutionalize
these goals
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2. Inventory
• Inventory all policies and programs
designed to support institutional
diversity goals
• Identify outcomes each policy or
program is intended to contribute
toward meeting the institutional
diversity goals
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3. Assess
• Regularly evaluate and review
outcomes of all programs designed
to enhance diversity
• Review race-conscious efforts to
ensure they are still needed and that
race is used in the most limited way
necessary to meet educational
diversity goals
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4. Act
• Revise and refocus diversity goals
to ensure they are in alignment with
changing educational needs and
goals
• Review outcomes of assessments
and redirect or continue efforts as
necessary
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Holistic Admissions:
One Path to
Diversity
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“The task of an admissions office
… is to assemble a total class of
students, all of whom possess the
basic qualifications, but who will also
represent in their totality, an interesting
and diverse amalgam of individuals
who will contribute through their
diversity to the quality and vitality of
the overall educational environment.”
Expert Report of William G. Bowen,
Gratz v. Bollinger
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Holistic Review Involves
• Individual, full-file review of applicants
• Review of academic and non-
academic factors
• Consideration of student’s potential
for success
• Consideration of student’s ability to
contribute to the educational
environment
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Holistic Review May Include
• Academic factors
• Demographic factors
• Socioeconomic factors
• Race/ethnicity
• Work experience
• Leadership and extracurricular factors
• Accomplishments
• Personal qualities
• Skills and abilities
• Other factors tied to the mission of a
specific institution
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2008-09 UW System Admission
Process
• Students applying for admission
for 2008-09 will use a revised UW
System undergraduate application
• New freshman applicants will be
evaluated using an individualized,
holistic review
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Resources
UW System Diversity in Admissions Website
http://www.uwsa.edu/vpacad/admissions/res/
(password required)
College Board: Achieving Diversity in Higher
Education
http://www.collegeboard.com/highered/ad/ad.html
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