Affirmative action defended

Affirmative action has been called discrimination, reverse discrimination and forced diversity. People often say it's a quota system designed to level the playing field by requiring office desks and classroom seats be filled by women and minorities.

For these reasons, some people disagree with affirmative action.

In reaction to that growing dissatisfaction, students from more than 60 colleges and universities in the U.S. have recognized today as a "National Day of Student Action in Defense of Affirmative Action," said Luke Massie, a political activist at the University of Michigan and a leading contributor to the day.

Bonnie Ortiz, director of Penn State's Affirmative Action Office, said student support is important because affirmative action is often misunderstood. This day of action may raise awareness of the issue and disprove myths, she said.

The Affirmative Action Office resolves discrimination complaints by mediating situations so people can continue working together, or, in some cases, by imposing sanctions.

"The most common complaints we see from students are sexual harassment, then race and issues of disability," Ortiz said. "We try to resolve the problems."

Taking positive measures to provide equal opportunity for people regardless of race or gender is the definition of affirmative action, Ortiz said. It does not guarantee a diverse work force, she said, but it does cultivate a diverse application pool.

In other words, if the University seeks applicants for a job, affirmative action laws require the University to make a concerted effort to advertise in places where all genders and races will have the opportunity to know about the job and apply for it, Ortiz said. However, she said that once the application process is complete, the applicants are judged on their competency.

Quotas are only enforced when a company or institution has broken an equal-opportunity law by discriminating against people due to their gender or race, Ortiz said. The quotas then remain in place until the racial or gender balance mandated by a court is reached, she said.

Paul Guerino (freshman-sociology) said he thinks public perception of affirmative action is often inaccurate because affirmative action laws can spur reverse discrimination, even though it may not be mandated.

"I feel that some corporations and universities voluntarily institute their own quota system for fear of being sued because they're not diverse enough," Guerino said. "This voluntary system of quotas could be the basis of dissent among those against affirmative action."

Anna Telep (sophomore-electrical engineering) said affirmative action is positive, but it is not a practical solution to the problems of racism and discrimination.

"It sounds wonderful, but I think it's idealistic," Telep said. "Discrimination is a reality in society, and just because you tell someone to treat another person fairly doesn't mean that their true feelings will automatically change."