Worried about affirmative action? Have a conversation that matters
In a virtual forum, it's an opportunity to discuss affirmative action with peers and faculty
Demonstrators gather outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., in protest of the overturning of Roe v. Wade in this June 2022 file photo. The high court again this year wrapped its summer session with conservative issues related to higher education and LGBTQ+ rights. [CM Life file photo | Aurora Rae]
The Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office of Diversity Education on campus at Central Michigan University intend to answer some questions regarding affirmative action with "Conversations That Matter: Who Really Gets Affirmed in Affirmative Action."
The virtual WebEx event is being held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today, with the discussion being led by Dr. Angela Guy-Lee, an assistant professor of sociology at Delta College.
“Dr. Angela Guy-Lee will be bringing in literature to break down the statistics,” said Danny McQuarters Jr., the Assistant Director at the Office for Institutional Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “We also plan to have facilitators there, and students will separate into break-out sessions (with facilitators) to share opinions.”
According to Cornell Law School, affirmative action is defined as “a set of procedures” designed to reduce unlawful discrimination against college applicants. Also known as “race-conscious admissions,” these procedures made it so race could be a considerable factor for admission on college applications and lead to a “diverse educational environment” on campuses.
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that affirmative action is unconstitutional. As a result, race is no longer asked about on college applications, and the Associated Press revealed this has led to a decrease in minority enrollment in colleges.
In the state of Michigan, affirmative action has been against the state constitution since 2006. Voters approved a ballot proposal 17 years ago to prohibit "preferential treatment," according to Ballotpedia.
“Anybody is invited and should feel welcome to attend,” McQuarters said. “We want diverse ideas and open dialogue at the meeting. Our goal is to teach people how to facilitate discussion without arguing. We should be having these conversations to find the truth, not who is right and wrong.”
To learn more about this event and to RSVP, visit the CMU Events Calendar page here.
