She spent most of the hour debating with 20 students about the problems with race-neutral alternatives, including policies that instead favor economically disadvantaged students. An Asian student wondered why the percentage system was necessarily bad. One of the better parts about growing up in Michigan is that you can go to a strong public school system. That debate wouldn't happen without diversity, Anderson said after class. Some students are skeptical about whether there is real diversity on the Ann Arbor campus.
Students frequently sit with their own racial groups in classrooms and the cafeteria.
Almost all fraternities and sororities are completely white or black. Although it is critical to U-M's arguments, the value of diversity is not the only defense of the school's admissions policy. There are other compelling reasons for the university to practice affirmative action. Braxton says she has wondered about the potential effects of scrapping affirmative action. Otherwise, it would be a pretty boring discussion.