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Does anyone know if the Univ. of Michigan admissions formula awards 20 points to black applicants regardless of their economic background? Is a black student who comes from an upper middle class family and who has attended a prep school still given the extra 20 points? I'm just curious. If UM awards extra race points to affluent blacks that would be so unfair that I doubt even Powell could support it.

"If UM awards extra race points to affluent blacks that would be so unfair that I doubt even Powell could support it."

I heard the Powell interview on Face the Nation this morning. He did not specifically support the UM case, but rather the concept of affirmative action.

I think it is a stretch -- one the author of this article wants you to make, btw -- to say that support for affirmative action is equivalent to supporting the discrimination practiced by the University of Michigan. I think that this is a case of the press trying to get Bush and Powell to play a game of "Let's you and him fight."

Does anyone know if the Univ. of Michigan admissions formula awards 20 points to black applicants regardless of their economic background?

Affirmative Action and The University of Michigan's Admissions Policy

2001 Guidelines for the Calculation of a Selection Index for all Schools and Colleges Except Engineering

Confidential

Socioeconomicallv Disadvantaged Student or Education

The University is committed to a rich educational experience for its students, which should include interaction with students of all socioeconomic backgrounds. A diverse, as opposed to a homogeneous. student population enhances the education experience for all students. Consequently. 20 points will be awarded to an applicant who:

is sociocconomically disadvantaged. with indicators such as parents’ occupations. single parent upbringing, a deceased parent, necessary excessive work hours while attending school. overcoming extraordinary obstacles, such as abuse, or homelessness; or

is a student educated in a high school serving a population that is predominantly sociocconomically disadvantaged.

Underrepresented Racial/Ethnic Minority Identity or Education

The University is committed to an educational experience that involves students interacting with other students of different races and ethnicities than their own. Consequently, 20 points will be awarded to an applicant who:

is a member of a federally recognized underrepresented race or ethnicity, which is also underrepresented on the UM Ann Arbor campus; or

is a student educated in a high school serving a population that is predominantly comprised of federally recognized underrepresented races and/or ethnicities, which are also underrepresented on the CM Ann Arbor campus.

Scholarship Athlete

In anticipation of their contributions to the University and in recognition of the tradition and national prominence of Michigan intercollegiate athletics, applicants being officially recruited and considered for athletic scholarships should have 20 points added to their score.

Provost’s Discretion

At the discretion of the Provost (only), up to an additional 20 points may be awarded to an applicant.

Professional Diversity

Over time, some professions have become composed predominantly of one gender or another. The School of Nursing has identified a need to enroll more members of an underrepresented gender to enhance its educational environment and to improve the diversity within its profession. A counselor should award 5 points to those applicants who are men applying to the School of Nursing. (See the Guidelines for Calculation of an Engineering Selection Index for the Professional Diversity points awarded for women applicants to the College of Engineering.)

20 points for the scions of even the most wealthy and well-educated black families.