Extra Credit-Big 12

I wanted to look at the “Big 12” schools and see which ones have an admission policy when it comes to race. In other words, do the schools take people based on race and if so what percentile of each race.

Baylor:

The University of Baylor in Waco, Texas says that neither race nor color is a factor in the admissions process at the university. The bill passed in the administration court discussion with this statement:

“Be it resolved that neither race nor color be a factor to be considered in the admission of qualified students to Baylor University. The Board of Trustees hereby directs the president of the university to implement this policy by practical means designed to cause minimum disruption of the educational program of the university."

Oklahoma State:

Oklahoma State also has ceased to have race-based admissions and all of their policies online have followed the rulings made by the court case Smith v. University of Washington.

http://www.cir-usa.org/articles/32.html

University of Nebraska:

After speaking with a representative on the phone in the office of admissions at the University for Nebraska she told me that the school has adopted the 424 Initiative that was passed in the state. After looking up what exactly that is. I found the definition from the website; Initiative 424 is a statewide ballot initiative that will prohibit the state from granting preferential treatment based on skin color or gender in 3 specific areas: public contracting, public employment, and public education.

http://www.nebraskacri.org/

The University of Texas and A&M University:

They both showed that they also do not adhere to race-based admissions. Both of those Texas school were quick to say absolutely not when I talked to a representative and said that they base it on their qualifications and GPA.

The University of Missouri and The University of Oklahoma:

They also do not have any race-based admissions but do have many scholarships that students of different races can apply for. This has also been argued that it is not fair but so far a law has not been passed against it.

It was very interesting to research what schools have admissions based on race and even more interesting to see how many school declare right away that they do not stand by that. May law suits have been involved in cases like these and they are quick to adopt those policies so they can be looked at as a diverse university.