It is also one of the most diverse institutions in the world. Its triumphs would not have been possible without affirmative action. Graduation rates for undergraduates at Berkeley are very high compared to those for similar institutions. Many, many schools that failed to diversify their undergraduate schools have lower graduation rates. Learning to work with a wide range of individuals should be a basic part of university education in the 21st century.
All meritocracies serve social ends.
All of them are qualified by social concerns, enlightened or reactionary. The affirmative action meritocracy a higher, more democratic standard of service than the old meritocracy to which Pete Wilson refers. So let's set the record straight about standards and test. The old meritocracy to which Wilson refers was more subjective, more personal, more discretionary than the present merit system with affirmative action. Years ago, there was greater latitude when institutions were all white than there is today, when affirmitive action is applied to achieve diversity.