SUPREME COURT YSU, others assess ruling

The high court upheld one of two affirmative action admissions policies.
By JoANNE VIVIANO
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Although it may seem that recent Supreme Court rulings on university admissions policies represent a "split decision," Youngstown State University's provost said they send a message that affirmative action is still viable.
"This was an important decision in higher education," said Dr. Tony Atwater, YSU provost and vice president of academic affairs. "The critical issue, in my opinion, is that affirmative action is still a salient factor in terms of university admissions.
"The fact that the Supreme Court upheld it is significant. If they had ruled differently, I think the message would have been to do away with any forms of supporting affirmative action in institutions. That would have been a blow both socially and academically at universities."
Court's rulings
The Supreme Court upheld a University of Michigan law school admissions policy that gives minorities an edge, ruling that race can be one of many factors that colleges consider when selecting their students.
In a companion ruling, the court struck down a more overtly preferential affirmative action program for minority applicants at U of M.
Because YSU has an open-admissions policy, accepting any in-state student with a state-approved diploma, race is not among criteria to attend.
Still, Atwater said, he likes to refer to YSU as a "multiversity," with students of various races and ethnic backgrounds, as well as various places in life -- from traditional students to adult employed students to commuters and part-timers.
"Diversity is considered to be an important social and academic asset here at Youngstown State University," he said.
At Kent State
At Kent State University, officials expect the decision to have little effect, said Ron Kirksey, executive director of university communications.
The university has never used a "point system" that favors minorities or a minority quota system, Kirksey said, adding that the university recruits for diversity and selects qualified applicants from the pool.
The two Michigan cases directly address admissions at public, tax-supported institutions, but the court's rationale is expected to also affect private colleges and universities.
At private Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., there also was little concern that the decision would alter policy.
"I guess I don't see, at this point, that it would have any effect," said dean of admissions Doug Swartz. While Westminster actively recruits minorities, Swartz said, race is not used as a criterion for acceptance. Rather, each applicant is evaluated individually based upon merit.
XThe Associated Press contributed to this report.