New Admissions Requirements at the University of Nevada May Exclude Large Numbers of Blacks

The board of regents of the University of Nevada voted to make it much more difficult to gain admittance to the institution’s two campuses in Reno and Las Vegas. Beginning in 2008, students will be required to have had a 3.0 grade point average in high school in order to qualify for admission to the university. At the present time, a grade point average of 2.75 is required.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada declared at the regents meeting that the new standard would prohibit 30 percent of current black applicants from qualifying for admission. The board ordered a research study to determine what effect the new standards would have on blacks and other minorities. The starting date of the new requirements may be pushed back if it is determined that there would be a major negative impact on minority enrollments.

In addition, the board voted to permit 10 percent of the incoming class to be admitted without meeting the 3.0 grade point average requirement. These students could be admitted if they demonstrated leadership, the ability to overcome hardship, or had talents in the arts or athletics.

At the current time, blacks make up 8.2 percent of the total enrollments at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and 2.3 percent of the enrollment at the University of Nevada at Reno.