Attention for affirmative action enters spotlight

By JON FEINBERG
Collegian Staff Writer

In addition to U.S. Senators Bob Dole and Phil Gramm -- both saying that they would end all affirmative action programs by executive order if elected president -- many members of Congress and President Clinton are saying the policies need to be examined.

While students and faculty members agree that the affirmative action programs should be looked at, some question the goals of politicians.

"I think that it's not unreasonable to examine any policies that have been in place for a long time," said Bonnie Ortiz, director of the University Affirmative Action Office.

But Ortiz said there has not been much thoughtful discussion on the issue.

"What we're hearing is a kind of knee-jerk reaction," she said.

Aside from the fact that affirmative action has produced many positive results, Ortiz said the idea has not achieved its ultimate purpose.

"I think that the kinds of discrimination and disparities that affirmative action was made to combat are far from gone," Ortiz said.

Those who oppose affirmative action think the program is the wrong approach for achieving civil equality.

"I believe affirmative action is an insult to the people it's aimed at," said Patrick X. Coyle, recruitment director for Penn State Young Americans for Freedom. Affirmative action, which was intended to base judgment on merit instead of color, causes the lowering of standards and destroys the spirit of independence, Coyle said.

In order to fix the problems of race relations, Coyle said politicians should concentrate on education instead of pouring more money into affirmative action.

And while there is always the possibility of discrimination in hiring practices, Coyle said there are ways for minorities and women to get around this problem.

"There is opportunity out there -- you have just got to find it," he said.

Despite much opposition to affirmative action, the groups that are helped by it, particularly women and minorities, insist that it has been a great help to more diversity in workplaces.

Patricia Johnstone, assistant director of the Center for Women Students, said there has been an increasing number of women represented in various professions.

"Without affirmative action we wouldn't see those numbers," Johnstone said.

The recent efforts against affirmative action, Johnstone said, are part of a trend of white men feeling threatened by blacks and women gaining equality.

In responding to this backlash against minorities, Johnstone said the idea of reverse discrimination is a misconception.

"(Affirmative action) is about giving qualified people an opportunity that they haven't had in the past," she said.

Many people think that affirmative action programs are specifically helpful in giving opportunities to black people.

Christopher Atkinson, president of Black Caucus, said affirmative action is part of the process needed to cure racism and disenfranchisement.

"Economic solutions are going to be the only solution to disenfranchisement," Atkinson said. By providing more job opportunities, he said affirmative action programs contribute to black people's economic stature.

However, affirmative action should not be the only method used in working for reinfranchisement, Atkinson said. Instead of spending money in foreign economic interests, he said the federal government should concentrate on investing in American cities and youth.

While many people have said affirmative action is just a start for improving race relations in America, the push for banning the programs remains strong in Washington.

Although Johnstone said that the president's willingness to evaluate the programs is a step in the right direction, she said the impending political struggle could be detrimental to affirmative action's positive results.

"I'm afraid this new effort is going to set back these successes," she said.

Many students agree that affirmative action has produced too many good results and cannot justify eliminating it.

"The way (society is) set up right now minorities still need help finding jobs because there still is racism," said Richard Mitchell (senior-environmental resource management).

However, Mitchell said the fact that many people see affirmative action as a free ride is a problem.

Desiree Laukhuff (junior-nursing) agreed that many people misinterpret the benefits of affirmative action.

"It's not giving people an unfair advantage," Laukhuff said.

"It's giving minorities an advantage that some people take for granted."