Starting next fall, the UW System will finally use the ""holistic"" admissions approach that UW-Madison initiated years ago. We could not be more pleased.
The new policy will look at other important factors—including race, socioeconomic status and extracurricular activities—besides test scores and grades when determining admission into System schools. Thus far, opponents have made many wild accusations questioning the legality of the new policy, claiming it violates state law. However, these interpretations do nothing but twist the policy into something it's not.
State Rep. Steve Nass, R-Whitewater, states using race in any way in the admissions policy violates the law. However, as he admits, the policy correctly follows the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court's 2003 ruling in the University of Michigan's affirmative action case. This case trumps all state law.
The holistic admissions policy is not affirmative action, as it does not solely use race in determining acceptance. All the policy does is give more hope to those in the ""maybe"" pile.
Those with questionable grades and test scores who do not automatically get in are put into this pile and examined further. By examining the circumstances behind academic scores using the other criteria stated above, all System schools will be guaranteed a diverse student body. We urge the Board of Regents to stand strong in its approval of this policy and not give in to the intense pressure to reverse it.
