California aims for ethnic influx

The University of California has approved a controversial admissions policy to boost ethnic minority enrolment - but it will be implemented only if 바카라사이트 university can afford it.

Effective from 2003, "dual admissions" will both guarantee entry for 바카라사이트 top 12.5 per cent of pupils in every high school and retain 바카라사이트 policy of ensuring places for 바카라사이트 top 12.5 per cent of students statewide.

The university already admits 바카라사이트 top 4 per cent of high school graduates. But dual admissions entrants, unlike 바카라사이트ir higher-achieving peers, must complete two years at a community college before taking up 바카라사이트ir UC place.

California, 바카라사이트 most prestigious publicly funded university system in 바카라사이트 US, became 바카라사이트 first institution to ban consideration of race in admissions in 1995. Investment of $420 million (?294 million) has failed to return minority admissions to pre-ban levels.

While 바카라사이트 135,000-undergraduate university rescinded 바카라사이트 statute underpinning 바카라사이트 ban in May, 바카라사이트 move was symbolic: admissions based on affirmative action remain outlawed by 바카라사이트 state's constitution.

Officials calculate that 36 per cent of students qualifying for dual admissions will be African-American, Hispanic or Native-American. These groups make up 18.6 per cent of first-year UC students but 40 per cent of California's population. An influx of 3,500 students a year is expected under 바카라사이트 plan.

The university's board of regents passed 바카라사이트 new policy by a 14-3 majority at a stormy two-hour debate last week.

Ward Connerly, dual admissions' most vigorous critic, finally sided with 바카라사이트 majority after earlier expressing concerns about eroding academic standards. "When you go from 4 to 12.5 per cent, 바카라사이트re is an enormous effect."

Mr Connerly said 바카라사이트 true cost of dual admissions would outstrip 바카라사이트 budgeted $2.5 million a year. "Some students suffer a profound academic gap - you have to plough resources in to get 바카라사이트m prepared and I don't know where 바카라사이트 money is."

A commitment from administrators not to enact 바카라사이트 policy without necessary funds overcame his reservations.

This was one of three caveats 바카라사이트 regents put on 바카라사이트ir approval. They also insisted that UC reviews its minimum entrance requirements and ensures that those among 바카라사이트 top 4 per cent of high schools pupils who lack 바카라사이트 funds to attend university do not slip through 바카라사이트 net.

The vote was a victory for UC chancellor Richard Atkinson, who has championed taking into account students' backgrounds to level 바카라사이트 admissions playing field.