Since the passage of Proposition 209, the nation has looked to California as the proving grounds for anti-affirmative action initiatives. If, in the wake of Proposition 209, minority enrollment in California universities were to slide significantly, affirmative action advocates would have a great case for its reinstatement. On the other hand, if the opposite occurred, they might be in serious trouble.
Some preliminary results are in.
But the increase in admissions from last year in no way signals the end of racial disparity. As long as these groups are deprived of proportionate admission to the best schools, they are in no way receiving equal opportunity. Suppose, for example, that Michigan enacted similar legislation effectively ending affirmative action programs. Our state certainly couldn't claim to have equality in higher-education if enrollment at Michigan and MSU plummeted while Western, Central and Eastern University's populations rose to offset the decline. Similarly, don't expect minority-advocates in California to jump for joy over Monday's press release.