The Michigan Daily - Friday, March 14, 2003 - 7 ADMISSIONS Continued from Page 1 in Texas, California and Florida. They say the programs provide advantages to people from disadvantaged back- grounds by offering a certain percent- age from every high school into a state college. But University officials assert that such a plan will not work as well in Michigan, which is not as racially seg- regated as other states. For example, the Upper Peninsula is an area with few minorities and little affluence. "Race (or) ethnicity and socioe- conomic disadvantage are two com- pletely different things," Peterson said. "The majority of applicants who come from poor families are white. If we considered only socioeconomic disadvantage, we would not succeed in enrolling a racially diverse student body." "It's just going to be more effective in states that have segregated commu- nities," University of Virginia law, Prof. Kim Forde-Mazrui said. "States that have fewer minorities or in which minorities are more dispersed ... are going to have a harder time." Levey rejected that argument, saying "there are few major cities in the (Unit- ed States) as segregated as Detroit." But Mazrui added that the percent plans have not been as successful in Texas and California as Bush claims. Mazrui said in many cases, state univer- sities admit students who are not quali- fied to attend the school, but the schools admit them because of their class rank. But Levey noted there are other factors involved in race-neutral admissions. He said universities could ask students to write an essay about coming from a disadvantaged family. They could also eliminate legacy points. The University offers four points to an applicant if one of their parents is an alumnus and one point for other close relatives. "They have made no effort to use race-neutral preferences to achieve diversity. They just categorically write it off," Levy said. He added that he believes the University already lowered its stan- dards when they began offering 20 points for race. LEGACIES Continued from Page 1 erations is one way to ensure that alumni remain loyal and committed to the well-being of the institution over the long haul," Courant said. But alumni financial contribu- tions also play an important role in assuring the University's financial health, Courant said. Children of donors are not guar- anteed points, but their applications can be further considered by the Admissions Review Committee and 20 points can be granted at the provost's discretion, he added. "The University does field inquiries about applications from donors, faculty, active alumni, leg- islators and others who have a close and supportive relationship with the University," Courant said. "These individuals may alert the admissions director to students who they believe merit additional attention." Courant said the use of the provost's discretion policy has dimin- ished during the past three years. While Warnick doesn't believe in getting extra points for legacy, there are others who defend it. "It was good for me. I didn't know about my (grade point aver- age) it was only a 3.6. If you are lacking in some areas it helps to make up for it," LSA senior Tristan Kladzyk said. "I think it is fair. I might not have gotten in had I not had those points," she added. LSA sophomore and legacy student Ben Mueller also supports the Univer- sity legacy system. "I think it is fine the way it is. They shouldn't change the legacy points. (Legacy) should play a part in the admission process," Mueller said. "If you have had relatives going here since the University opened, you should be rewarded with points," Mueller said. In addition to the University, many schools across the nation also consider legacy status in their admissions. Jim Kolesar, director of public affairs at Williams College, a private college in Williamstown, Mass., said legacies are important because universities need the finan- cial support of alumni, and many current students will also donate after graduating. "Colleges, especially private col- leges, are in some way a social con- tract for generations," he said. If a qualified student with legacy status is rejected, the "social con- tract would be frayed," Kolesar said. But, there are those who remained vehemently opposed to the University's legacy policy. "It does not say much about you and how you will perform if you have grandparents who went here. It has more to do with the school wanting to increase donations - it is not very academically placed," LSA junior Lesley Felsten said. LSA senior Tyniece Stevenson said she finds it odd that legacy, which has no academic implications would play a part in her admission to the University. Michigan State University does not take legacy into account when deciding admission. Admissions Director Pamela Horne said they look exclusively at the students' credentials. She said the college is able to do this because they received a land grant and do not depend on alumni to such an extent for financial sup- port. "We want a wide range of back- grounds represented, the land grant mission and heritage implies that first-generation college students are very welcome here," Horne said. "Alumni children are as welcome, but they are not given any special edge in the admissions process," he added. In addition to the fact that legacy is not an academic credential others oppose it on the basis of race. "In the past, there were more whites who attended this school than blacks. I don't think it is intended to be racist but it could have racial effects," LSA legacy recipient and sophomore Carlie Haberl said. the michigan daily FALL 2003- HUGE 4 bdrm. bi-level pent- SPACIOUS 6 BDRM. FOR FALL. 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