Panel Recommends Sweeping Changes in University of Colorado’s Diversity Efforts

A 60-member commission made up of students, faculty, and administrators has recommended sweeping changes in admissions policies at the University of Colorado in order to increase the number of black and Hispanic students. The commission was formed by university president Hank Brown after a series of racial incidents occurred on campus.  

Under the current admissions standards, students need to achieve an index score of 103 points in order to be admitted to the Boulder campus. The index is based on high school class rank, standardized test scores, and a student’s high school grades. Statewide in 2005, only 272 black students achieved a score of 103 on the admissions index and only 66 matriculated at the university this past fall.

The commission made a point to say it does not want to lower academic standards to admit more minority students. But it recommended that the index be made more flexible to take into account a student’s background, leadership abilities, and community work.  

 

The commission also recommended that a zero-tolerance policy be instituted for hate speech on campus, that more money be set aside for minority scholarships, and that the university spend more money on diversity training for faculty and staff.

Copyright © 2006. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. All rights reserved.