Monday, December 1, 2008

Affirmative Action Ban's Impact

Nebraska.TV
November 25, 2008

The affirmative action ban is a constitutional amendment that prohibits public agencies, like city governement and universities, from hiring based on things like gender and race.
Everything from university math programs, nursing programs targeting men, and domestic violence shelters for women could be affected. Hope Harbor and the Crisis Center in Grand Island say they would have to pursue other grants if some of theirs are taken away. Most say it's too early to know, but for local colleges trying to increase diversity, the ban becomes a challenge.
A room full of G.I. Senior High Nebraska Academy students attending the College-Bound Nebraska Program on Monday showed how diverse the University of Nebraska's class of 2010 will be. The first-generation students will get tuition paid for, but university president J.B. Milliken said some programs to help them succeed could get cut.
"It might affect our ability to do outreach and recruitment. We're uncertain which programs might be affected."
One program could be 'Native American Day.' But over at Central Community College, President Greg Smith said he doesn't have programs or scholarships directed at a certain demographic.
"With the new legislation, it's pretty much business as usual, at least in the CCC sector," he said.
But both presidents are in the same boat, with their goal to recruit diversity. Now, they might just have to find other ways to do it.

Full Story: http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=9416489

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