Editorial: Discrimination doesn't pass test Editorial: Discrimination doesn't pass test
Race worth more than achievement
Here's further proof the University of Michigan's much-debated admissions policy that awards points based on nothing more than skin color fails constitutionally and as a legitimate standard. UM's policy, which has rekindled the affirmative action debate, gives 20 points on its admissions system for applicants of black, Hispanic and American Indian nationalities.
Since whites, Asians, Jews and every other racial group are 20 points behind before ever setting foot on campus, logic would dictate this policy is blatantly discriminatory. Add this little nugget, and the policy is even further flawed. The ACT college entrance exam, which measures academic proficiency in mathematics, English, science, reading and reasoning, is one of the primary standards for college admittance, along with the SAT. Between September 2001 and June 2002, only 182 of more than 1.7 million students nationwide scored a perfect 36 on the ACT.
While UM bases its policy on the SAT, there is a comparable statistic. UM awards only 12 points for a perfect SAT score. In other words, the color of an applicant's skin is worth eight more points than a perfect score on a college entrance exam. Considering just sheer numbers, which minority group is being discriminated against? A single group of people should not be afforded an advantage simply because of skin color, especially at the disadvantage of another group whose educational qualities are earned.
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