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STUDENT REACTIONS-
The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 20
. . .Madelina
Young, Car-
},__. j tolina Saenz
and Patricia
Dyer of Stu-
dents Sup-
porting
Affirmative
Action cele-
brate the
U.S.
Supreme
Court ruling
yesterday
during a rally
on the Diag.
SETH LOWER/Daily
CONSERVATIVES CLAIM VICTORY
IN STRIKING DOWN QUOTAS
By James Koivunen
And Samantha Woll
Daily StaffReporters
Although celebrations by pro-affirmative
action student groups could be heard across
campus yesterday, it was not necessarily a total
a chant with members of The Coaiition to Defend Affirmative Action & integration and Fight for Equaity SETH LOWER/Daily defeat for their counterparts.
AgnesleoualAieobua n wih eieadafTh CByiio Anyeen Anirai-affinnatiteratonanveihactionaltyBysnyAnidentmaivgroupsstdet r citeit
Means Necessary during a rally at the Michigan Union yesterday. The rally was held in response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling. the U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3cling against
TU.Se sturents react
SSAA, BAMN CELEBRATE WIN IN LAW
SCHOOL CASE, RULING ON DIVERSITY
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By James Koivunen
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Daily StaffReporter
Cheers of victory and success could be
heard throughout campus yesterday by advo-
cates of affirmative action as they rallied in
support of the much anticipated U.S.
Supreme Court's ruling on the University's
admissions policies.
Though the decision itself was a split one,
representatives of both Students Supporting
Affirmative Action and The Coalition to
Defend Affirmative Action and Integration
and Fight for Equality ByAny Means Neces-
sary declared yesterday a victory for all stu-
dents, minority and otherwise, at the
University and at other institutions of higher
learning across the United States.
"Today the Supreme Court upheld the
principle of race-conscious admissions poli-
cies and that is a victory for all students, here
and across the country," said Michigan Stu-
dent Assembly President Angela Galardi at
an SSAA press conference on the Diag.
Galardi and other members of SSAA
addressed fellow students and community
members yesterday, touching upon many
facets of the Supreme Court ruling as well as
its implications for the University's student
body.
"The court upheld the principle while cri-
tiquing the process," Galardi said.
Recent law school graduate Brandy John-
son praised the court's decision while also
reminding fellow students that the struggle
for equality is not yet over.
"The court's ruling today acknowledges
what communities of color and their allies
have known all along - that race still mat-
ters in America, and that color-blindness is
irrelevant in a society where race continues
to shape the distribution of resources in
wealth, education, housing, the criminal jus-
tice system and beyond."
Harlyn Pacheco, LSA junior and political
action chair of La Voz Latina, called yester-
day's decisiona victory not only for diversity
"Race needs to be a factor
factor."
but also for democracy.
Student supporters of affirmative action
also addressed the fact that the rulings repre-
sent larger implications in society.
"These cases shape the national sentiment
about diversity in America. These cases are
not just about one university or just affirma-
tive action, these cases represent the coun-
try's continual commitment of leveling the
playing field for all people," said Julio Perez,
School of Public Policy student and a mem-
ber of Students of Color of Rackham and
Students of Color in Public Policy, in a writ-
ten statement.
LSA junior Christen Flack said of the split
decision that, "even though there was a split,
they are still allowing race to be a factor in
both cases."
"This is good because race needs to be a
factor because racism is still a factor," she
added.
Flack also spoke about the difference
between being granted admission into the
University and actually continuing after the
first year.
"One thing that I've always noticed here is
that getting into the University of Michigan
is one thing but staying in is another." Flack
cited the fact that "the University of Michi-
gan has one of the highest turnaround rates
for keeping African American freshman over
into their sophomore year."
Although some said race-conscious
admissions are necessary, many hope it
might become irrelevant in the future.
"The diversity of the University of Michi-
gan has been one of my own greatest learn-
ing experiences, and while I hope there will
be a day when we don't need affirmative
action to aid in that goal of diversity, I don't
think we have reached that day yet," said
because racism is still a t
t
- Christen Flack I
LSA juniors
Margaret Vincent, a law student and memberc
of the LGBT Speakers' Bureau
On the steps of the Michigan Union,s
BAMN members voiced their support f
and addressed issues similar to thosev
touched upon by SSAA representatives,
agreeing that although part of the Uni- t
versity's admissions policies were 1
struck down, it was a minor and d
insignificant aspect of a much larger
system. t
Agnes Aleobua, BAMN iember and
former MSA representative from the
Defend Affirmative Action Party, called
the fact the decision was a split one a
"very nominal point" and also called
this a "100 percent victory."
She also said that the struggle is not yet
over: "we have the whole country to take on
now."
"Racism exists in the society and we will
not stop until racism is eradicated throughout
this country," she added.
Shanta Driver, national spokeswoman for
BAMN, addressed the changes that the Uni-
versity will have to make in its admissions
policies by saying, "(The University) can use
a more nuanced system, a more individual-
ized system, and achieve the exact same
thing that it achieved with the point system."
Agreeing with Aleobua, Driver said that
this was a minor aspect of the ruling: "The
point system was a red herring, it didn't mat-
ter, and it does not matter that it was over-
turned."
But a few affinnative action supporters did
not see the ruling as a victory.
"We look at the undergrad decision as a
defeat because we will be losing enroliment
for black students," said LSA sophomore and
BAMN member Sarah Barnard.
P
the University's controversial point system as
evidence that a part of the University's under-
graduate admissions policy is indeed unconsti-
tuational.
Andrew Robbins, LSA student and co-pres-
ident of the Jewish University Republican
Alliance, said of his recently formed student
group that, "We were a little disappointed, but
hey did strike down the point system, so in
hat regard we are happy."
This sentiment was reiterated by Mike
Phillips, LSA senior and publisher of the con-
servative journal The Michigan Review.
"I was most against the undergraduate poli-
cy because of the quota system," he said.
Although Phillips acknowledged the other
side's victory, he is apprehensive about the
future implications of this ruling for the Uni-
versity and its students.
"I am now concerned with what the
University will be doing to more accurate-
y reflect the constitution and the man-
date," he said.
The Review's editor in chief, Ruben Duran,
expressed a concern similar to that of Phillips.
"(The University) is going to find another
way to get around it, to continue their social
experiment to make minorities feel good," he
said. "(They) will now say '19 and a half
points is what we give,"' he added.
The split decision left room for optimism on
both sides, but also created some frustrations.
"Essentially it did nothing - nothing is
different," said Duran. "The University
will continue to purport the idea of diver-
sity which has been upheld as a com-
pelling state interest."
Duran's disappointment was echoed by
Chip Englander, an LSA alum, former chair-
man of the College Republicans and founder
of Young Americans for Freedom.
"The decision is ridiculous. It would have
been nice to geta clear-cut decision," he said.
Robbins said of the split that it "showed that
the Supreme Court, like the rest of the coun-
try, is split on these issues."
Despite the split decision, the ruling yester-
day allowed race to be used as a factor in Uni-
versity admissions policies.
Phillips agreed that race was a factor but
warned against giving it too much weight,
"Race can play some role, but it can't play a
deciding role - it needs to be used very nar-
rowly," he said.
Although Phillips said he believes it's possi-
ble to implement a new plan that takes race
into consideration, many anti-affirmative
action activists disagree. Duran said that "an
even more secretive, subjective, non-transpar-
ent system" is to be expected. Robbins said
that JURA is just looking for (an admissions
policy) that is merit based.
But despite these mixed reactions, both
anti-affirmative action groups and anti-
affirmative action activists are pleased
that the undergraduate point system is
being modified.
LSA sophomore, MSA member and
College Republican Jesse Levine said,
"Although I'm a Republican and a moder-
ate, I feel confident with the decision.
I'm proud to be a student at the University
of Michigan."
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University student Ruben Duran, left, alum James Justin Wilson, and student Adam Dancy
rotest the ruling in front of the Supreme Court yesterday.
"They're going to find another "Racism exists in this society,
"The court upheld the principle way to get around it ... and we will not stop until
whl rtqigteprocess." wandtwegwillounot stop..until
while cntiqumg the psngelaGalardi University will now say '19 and racism is eradicated throughout
MiSigantudent Assembly president a half points is what we give.'" . this country."
- Ruben Duran - AgesAeobua
Editor in chief, The Michigan Review BAMN member and former MSA resientaive
STUDENTS
Continued from Page 1
action, certain changes need to be made.
"I think that the idea of affirmative action is a great
Jdea, I just think that it's skewed."
"A better idea for affirmative action is for it to be
based on socioeconomic class regardless of race," he
added.
Botsford added that the points awarded for legacy in
the University's admissions system should also be elim-
inated "because its like white affirmative action."
"Two generations ago, black people weren't going to
college in any kind of numbers at all. The only people
benefiting from (legacy points) are white people. And
so that's basically white affirmative action," he said.
But regardless of students' varying opinions on affir-
mative action, diversity remains important to many stu-
dents.
"It's necessary to have affirmative action in order to
get the diversity," said Engineering graduate student
Smith Thepvongs.
Maruskin, agreeing that diversity is a primary con-
cern of the University, said, "I'm always fond of saying
that God loves a variety, I guess the University o f
Michigan does too."
Early affirmative action pioneer Jackson dies
ATLANTA (AP) - Maynard Jackson
Jr., who was elected the first black mayor
of Atlanta in 1973 and transformed urban
politics in America by forcing the city's
white business elite to open doors to
minorities, died yesterday at 65.
Jackson, who died after collapsing at a
Washington airport, oversaw the expansion
of Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport,
helped lay the groundwork for the 1996
Atlanta Olympics and pioneered the prac-
tice of designating a portion of government
contracts for minority-owned businesses.
Thirty years ago, Jackson survived a
racially charged primary to become the
first black mayor of a major Southern city.
The victory, the same year that black may-
ors were elected in Detroit and Los Ange-
les, helped solidify the political power of
urban blacks.
For the next three decades, the more than
300-pound Jackson cast a large shadow
over politics in Atlanta.
"He was a lion of a man," said Mayor
Shirley Franklin. "He was a champion of
inclusion for all people and never wavered
in his commitment to Atlanta."
Jackson collapsed
after getting off a plane
at Reagan National Air-
port. He was revived but
was pronounced dead at "
Virginia Medical Center
in Arlington. Jackson "
had suffered from dia-
betes and had had major
heart surgery in 1992.
Jackson's booming
voice and wide girth Jackson
were recognized beyond Atlanta. He made
frequent trips to Washington to work with
Democratic Party leaders, whom he coun-
seled on regaining support in the South.
"The Democratic party is mourning
today," said Democratic National Commit-
tee Chairman Terry McAuliffe. "Through-
out his life, Maynard was a champion for
the people of Atlanta and the nation -
fighting for fairness, equality and justice
for all Americans."
As mayor, Jackson called for strict affir-
mative action policies. He held up a $400
million airport expansion by insisting that
a fair portion of the action go to minorities
and women. When the project was com-
pleted, the bustling airport helped Atlanta
become a major city.
In 1978, Jackson said that white
Atlanta had no choice but to share the
wealth: "Would our city languish in the
past, or would we realize that we cannot
eat magnolias?"
Similar minority contract programs were
set up in many cities, including Chicago
and Washington. Jackson brushed aside
accusations of reverse discrimination.
"There are some who are not friends,
who resent the fact that I worked hard to
get blacks into a position of equal opportu-
nity," Jackson said in 1982. "My response
is: To hell with them, and that's tough."
Jackson put himself at odds with the
money that ran Atlanta, said U.S. Rep.
John Lewis, a Democrat from Atlanta.
"He said if you're going to have a con-
tract with the city, you've got to have
minority participation - and he didn't
back off," Lewis said.
Born in Dallas, Jackson grew up in
Atlanta and graduated from Morehouse
College at 18. He earned a law degree from
North Carolina Central University.
Jackson's family was active in early
voting rights efforts. His grandfather
John Wesley Dobbs was co-chairman of
the Atlanta Negro Voters League, and his
father, a preacher, founded the Georgia
Voters League.