U of Michigan Imposes Political Test on Applicants
Bring back quotas!

I'm beginning to think I prefer race-based quotas (so many black, so many white, so many hispanic) over what the Supreme Court's Bollinger decision left us with.

Why? Because as odious (and unconstitutional) as that approach was, at least it was impersonal; it did not require individuals to give fealty to the idol of "diversity."

According to the Chicago Tribune [registration required], the University of Michigan will require undergraduate applicants to answer one of the following questions:

1. At the University of Michigan, we are committed to building an academically superb and widely diverse educational community. What would you as an individual bring to our campus community?

2. Describe an experience you've had where cultural diversity--or a lack thereof--has made a difference to you.

At least a quota system does not require the applicant to pontificate about the bloviation and fraud that is "diversity." By making 'diversity' part of the application process, the U is stating that it is more important than education.

Woe so the applicant who says "I am a sheltered child with little experience beyond my own family. But I want to attend university to study great ideas, studied by all people regardless of their race." The analogy is overwrought, perhaps, but this reminds me of a country in which would-be students must speak a word of praise in favor of the Beloved Leader, or the Glorious Revolution, or what have you.

The idea of liberal arts has been corrupted. Instead of opening up minds, Michigan is trying to shape them. That's not education; it's indoctrination. (permalink)