UVA and Wm & Mary lead the way exhibiting bias in admissions. Bias is in favor for Black’s and Latino’s and negativity towards Asians and Whites. Stay tuned.

This sounds like a story being pushed along by conservative media outlets. I have no clue if there truly is admissions bias, but personally wouldn't have a problem with it if done responsibly. Let's be real. W&M has always had, or at least seen as having, diversity issues. Personally, I think diversity in background, ethnicity, and views is absolutely necessary in a liberal arts education. I don't take issue with a minority application gaining extra weight. These aren't minority dimwits being admitted. They are every bit the high achievers as their white counterparts gaining admission. They are equipped and capable of success at W&M. Unfortunately some white kids might lose out, but I believe it strengthens W&M overall.
Perhaps my opinion won't be popular, but as long as tough admissions requirements are upheld, it doesn't bother me at all if a deciding nod is given to minorities. Where I draw the line is if they are admitting under qualified minorities to meet a quota. That weakens the university and is no Bueno.

(09-19-2019 11:58 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  This sounds like a story being pushed along by conservative media outlets. I have no clue if there truly is admissions bias, but personally wouldn't have a problem with it if done responsibly. Let's be real. W&M has always had, or at least seen as having, diversity issues. Personally, I think diversity in background, ethnicity, and views is absolutely necessary in a liberal arts education. I don't take issue with a minority application gaining extra weight. These aren't minority dimwits being admitted. They are every bit the high achievers as their white counterparts gaining admission. They are equipped and capable of success at W&M. Unfortunately some white kids might lose out, but I believe it strengthens W&M overall.
Perhaps my opinion won't be popular, but as long as tough admissions requirements are upheld, it doesn't bother me at all if a deciding nod is given to minorities. Where I draw the line is if they are admitting under qualified minorities to meet a quota. That weakens the university and is no Bueno.

+1

Judging people in any way by their skin color or background is just wrong, I don't care which PC name you try to slap on it. It's superficial and stupid.

(09-19-2019 02:44 PM)Sitting bull Wrote:  Judging people in any way by their skin color or background is just wrong, I don't care which PC name you try to slap on it. It's superficial and stupid.

In a perfect world, you aren't wrong. But if there is a perceived diversity problem and an administration wants to be proactive, how else do you address the gap in diversity other than monitoring ethnicity and background? The school wants a student body that is more in line with the makeup of the general population of the state and nation. IMO, as a state school, it is W&Ms responsibility to be representative of the state. Admitting more worthy white kids does nothing towards balancing the ledger. While admitting more worthy black kids moves us closer to servicing the population we claim to represent.

US Ethnicity
Population 321,000,000
White 61.5%
Black 12.3%
Asian 5.3%
Hispanic 17.6%

VA State Ethnicity
Population 8,572,000
White 68.4%
Black 19.2%
Asian 6.2%
Hispanic roughly 4%

W&M Ethnicity
Enrollment 8,740
White 5312 (60.8%)
Black 650 (7.4%)
Asian 580 (6.6%)
Hispanic 715 (8.2%)

Stats taken from
https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/ed...race-block

http://worldpopulationreview.com/states/...opulation/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demograp...ted_States

Now, what's the breakdown of minorities who applied to W&M? You have to apply before you can be accepted.

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(09-20-2019 07:56 AM)mrjoolius Wrote:  

(09-19-2019 02:44 PM)Sitting bull Wrote:  Judging people in any way by their skin color or background is just wrong, I don't care which PC name you try to slap on it. It's superficial and stupid.

In a perfect world, you aren't wrong. But if there is a perceived diversity problem and an administration wants to be proactive, how else do you address the gap in diversity other than monitoring ethnicity and background? The school wants a student body that is more in line with the makeup of the general population of the state and nation. IMO, as a state school, it is W&Ms responsibility to be representative of the state. Admitting more worthy white kids does nothing towards balancing the ledger. While admitting more worthy black kids moves us closer to servicing the population we claim to represent.

US Ethnicity
Population 321,000,000
White 61.5%
Black 12.3%
Asian 5.3%
Hispanic 17.6%

VA State Ethnicity
Population 8,572,000
White 68.4%
Black 19.2%
Asian 6.2%
Hispanic roughly 4%

W&M Ethnicity
Enrollment 8,740
White 5312 (60.8%)
Black 650 (7.4%)
Asian 580 (6.6%)
Hispanic 715 (8.2%)

Stats taken from
https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/ed...race-block

http://worldpopulationreview.com/states/...opulation/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demograp...ted_States

We have diversity on many levels. Apparently, like your approach, it's not at numbers you feel they should be. That still doesn't outweigh - and shouldn't - the principle of allowing discrimination to achieve it.

Do you think your approach should apply to all universities in Virginia - or just specific universities?

(09-20-2019 09:29 AM)Tribal Wrote:  Now, what's the breakdown of minorities who applied to W&M? You have to apply before you can be accepted.

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I can't find that info released publicly. Here are released admissions stats for the 2022 class.

14,644 total applicants
37% acceptance rate
Roughly 5,418 accepted

1,546 enrolled
57% white
7% black
9% asian
9% hispanic

I too would be interested in seeing the ethnic break down of applicants and accepted students. Understandable that they wouldn't release that info, as it would spark outrage on one side or the other depending on the results.

https://www.wm.edu/admission/undergradua.../index.php
https://www.wm.edu/admission/undergradua.../index.php

(09-20-2019 10:44 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  Do you think your approach should apply to all universities in Virginia - or just specific universities?

I don't think it should be a hard rule, but I do think state universities have the responsibity of, at a minimum, servicing the residents of the state. IMO, university makeup should bear some resemblance to the makeup of the state. If minorities aren't applying or do not meet acceptance criteria, that is one thing. That isn't what I'm advocating. I want the best and brightest. But if there is a white kid with stellar credentials and a minority with equally good creds, I'd lean towards balancing the enrollment numbers.
Im only advocating giving extra weight to a minority applicant as a sort of tie breaker between perceived equal applicants. In the above scenario, I'd hope both kids get accepted.

The enrolled %’s add up to roughly 82. I wonder what the rest is comprised of. That could be a huge thumb on the scales. Of course they could always be native Americans like Elizabeth Warren or foreign students such as Barry Soretto.


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(09-20-2019 11:03 AM)LeadBolt Wrote:  The enrolled %’s add up to roughly 82. I wonder what the rest is comprised of. That could be a huge thumb on the scales. Of course they could always be native Americans like Elizabeth Warren or foreign students such as Barry Soretto.


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I only reported the white, black, Asian, hispanic mentioned in the original post. The link from the thread breaks down the other ethnicities.

They’re marked differences in SAT scores between the favored groups and the others. My question would be graduation rates. Do the favored students graduate at the normal rate for general population? If so; fine. If not; that’s another question. For those rejected wannabes with higher SATs; let’s hope they got into a better school.

(09-20-2019 10:44 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  We have diversity on many levels. Apparently, like your approach, it's not at numbers you feel they should be. That still doesn't outweigh - and shouldn't - the principle of allowing discrimination to achieve it.

Do you think your approach should apply to all universities in Virginia - or just specific universities?

You're making the assumption that everyone's starting from the same position. It's very similar to Title IX. Both are policies with many, many flaws. In both cases, they're still better than nothing at all. I think few people would argue against implementing alternatives that more efficiently/effectively address the problems these policies are aimed at. Until those alternatives exist, this is the best we have.