KALAMAZOO -- In an open letter to the Western Michigan University
community, Dr. Judith I. Bailey, president of WMU, addressed
yesterday's Supreme Court rulings on affirmative action in university
admission practices.
To the University Community:
On June 23, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down split decisions
on the University of Michigan affirmative action cases. The court
affirmed the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student
body and held that universities may use race as one factor in
admission decisions. The court, though, did put limits on the
methods used to achieve diversity, and struck down the point
system used by Michigan to make admission decisions at the undergraduate
level.
I am delighted that the Supreme Court clearly recognizes the
intrinsic value of diversity in the educational setting. Achieving
a diverse student body has long been a goal of Western Michigan
University and will continue to be one. However, decisions about
admission to WMU's freshman class are focused not on a point
system, but on the merits of each individual student's academic
history and potential for academic success at our University.
By relying on these measures and on effective recruiting and
outreach programs, we will continue to put together incoming
classes that are vibrant, well qualified and diverse.
Accordingly, we do not expect the Supreme Court's ruling will
significantly impact our University's admission process. We will,
of course, look closely at the rulings and carefully assess all
of our policies in light of what the court has said in these
landmark cases affecting higher education.
Again, the message from the Supreme Court is clear. WMU's
commitment to achieving a diverse student body is constitutional,
appropriate, and in the long-range educational interests of our
students.
Dr. Judith I. Bailey
President, Western Michigan University