Speaks Out

SP-1 banned the use of race and gender as factors for
admission at the University of California. Students and some UC
Regents have proposed repealing this measure as early as this year.
What is your stance on SP-1? Kasbin Hu
Second-year Microbiology “I don’t agree with affirmative
action. I believe that it’s not your race or ethnicity that should
determine whether you’re allowed to enter a university – it should
be done solely on your academic grades. If you’re let into this
university just because of your race, that’s wrong. This applies to
women as well; they don’t need affirmative action to get in. There
should be no other determining factors aside from
qualification.” Roger Lum Third-year
Economics “‘ve looked at both sides of this issue and I think
that SP-1 is something that should definitely be repealed. Now that
I’ve learned about all the aspects associated with trying to get
into college in my Asian American studies courses, I understand
that some people have gone through more hardships than I have. The
education process involves learning how to work with other people,
and we can’t do this without diversity on campus.”
Hamid Schricker Second-year Applied mathematics
“I am for diversity but not for affirmative action because it
attacks the problem at such a high level of education; it’s not the
right way to face the problem. We should increase funding at the
lower education levels, starting with kindergarten, so that once
everyone begins applying for college, the process will be more
leveled and fair. More funding should also go toward low-income
areas so that families from these communities will be on an equal
playing field with wealthier families.” Erica
Ramirez Fifth-year American literature and culture and
Chicana/o studies “Affirmative action is critically important
to this university. The regents have not taken the initiative to
say that diversity is necessary, but they can do this by repealing
SP-1, not in May, but in March. I’m personally involved in trying
to get SP-1 repealed by participating in the Affirmative Action
Coalition and trying to educate students about the issue. Academic
merit does not include people who are working hard and take
leadership positions in high school and who should be able to
attend this university.” Speaks Out compiled by Cuauhtemoc
Ortega, Daily Bruin Senior Staff. Photos by Chris Backley, Daily
Bruin Staff. Web adaptation by Yuan Huang, Daily Bruin Staff.