February 18, 2000

Panel Passes Affirmative Action Ban

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Gov. Jeb Bush's plan to eliminate race and gender as considerations for college admissions at the state's 10 public universities is now one step from final approval.

The State University System's Board of Regents voted 12-0 for rules suggested in Bush's One Florida plan, which ends racial and gender preferences in admissions to state universities and in granting state contracts. Two members were absent for the vote.

Bush contends the plan will enhance diversity by increasing outreach efforts and by admitting the top 20 percent of each high school senior class into state universities.

``The bottom line is it's affirmative action, but it's affirmative action without racial goals or gender goals,'' said Education Commissioner Tom Gallagher, a member of the Board of Regents. ``It's a wonderful opportunity.''

The changes could not take effect without the Regents' approval. The plan still must go before the governor and independently elected Cabinet, which is to consider the matter Tuesday.

More than 500 college students, elected officials and others attended the Regent's meeting at the University of Central Florida. Many offered harsh criticism.

``When you take away affirmative action, you take away hope,'' said Joel Ham, a junior at the University of South Florida, after the vote.

Many said they feared a repeat of experiences at flagship public universities in California and Texas, where minority enrollment dropped dramatically after race and gender were eliminated as factors in admissions policies.

``We do not live in a colorblind society. Race is still a factor,'' said Democratic Rep. Corrine Brown of Jacksonville. ``I'm very disappointed with what's going on in Florida, and it's an example of the ugly side of politics.''

Additionally, regents adopted a rule allowing admission for students who do not meet minimum criteria by using a ``student profile assessment'', which considers factors such as socioeconomic status, whether a student's parents went to college, and whether a high school is low performing.

A few people spoke in favor of the rule changes.

``We should not cling to policies that are not based on merit,'' said Dennis Freytes, a trustee of Orlando's Valencia Community College. ``I hope you don't let demagoguery and group politics affect your vote.''

Lew Oliver, chairman of the Orange County Republican Party, said there were more practical considerations for approving the changes -- a proposed ballot measure by California businessman Ward Connerly to do away with all preference programs in Florida, going much further than Bush's plan.

``Sometimes you don't have a choice,'' Oliver said of Bush's proposal. ``Sometimes you don't have a perfect option.''

Connerly helped pass similar ballot measures in California and Washington state. Bush opposes the Connerly measure, and many have said the governor offered the One Florida plan as a substitute.