High-tech understands the importance of diversity
Posted on Fri, Mar. 07, 2003
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AT UNIVERSITIES BOOSTS COMPANIES' BUSINESS AMERICA'S high-tech industry recognizes that if it's going to achieve diversity in its workforce, there needs to be diversity on America's college campuses.
That's why Microsoft, Intel and Lucent Technologies have weighed in on the side of the University of Michigan's affirmative action case that soon will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Top-notch institutions routinely give special consideration to particular applicants. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that universities like Duke and Stanford bestow admission points to children of wealthy or powerful parents considered to be potential donors and benefactors.
It's no secret that elite colleges and others bend standards to make room for superstar high school athletes and musicians, as well as for children of alumni. But those cases of affirmative action don't raise eyebrows like race-sensitive programs. That's why the Michigan case is being so closely watched, why the Bush administration has weighed in against the university's position, and why it's important that industries like many in Silicon Valley are making their views known.
For years, high-tech companies have recruited, mentored and promoted minorities to help business. But they know they can't effectively continue those efforts without a highly trained and diverse crop of college graduates. That's the force behind high-tech companies' public battle for diversity, as they have joined 300 other organizations that have filed legal briefs on behalf of the University of Michigan.
Companies need workforces capable of reflecting and responding to the demands of a global market and a U.S. market continually defined by growing diversity. Census figures point to a day in 2050 when ethnic groups will make up half the American population. Corporate America learned long ago that ethnic communities offer broad customer bases. Nike, McDonald's and AT&T aggressively market to Latinos, Asians and other minorities, and company pocketbooks have grown because of it.
A diverse workforce also is a more creative workforce, critical to building and delivering products and business solutions for a diverse world of consumers. Affirmative action in American colleges isn't just a lofty social goal. It's also about the economic bottom line. Though Silicon Valley tech companies may feel a tug toward Stanford, UC-Berkeley, Santa Clara University and San Jose State, they've ample reason now to offer another cheer: ``Go Michigan!''
© 2003 Mercury News and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.bayarea.com This broad support underscores the importance of affirmative action to the nation's welfare.
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