The same opportunities for employment and career advancement must exist for all individuals. Affirmative action will result in lowering the standards and reputation of a depart ment. Affirmative action and Equal Employment Opportunity are the same things. Equal Employment Opportunity means that all individuals must be treated equally in the hiring process and in advancement once on the job. Each person is to be evaluated as an individual on his or her merits and not on a stereotypic conception of what members of specific groups are like.
Affirmative action is a more proactive concept.
It means that one will actively and aggressively seek to recruit women and minorities by making a positive and continuous effort in their recruitment, employment, retention , and promotion. Double standards are inconsistent with the principles and spirit of affirmative action. One standard should be applied to all candidates. This myth, of course, implies that women and minorities are inherently less qualified than white males.