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Affirmative Action and the Civil Rights Movement
Due to the Civil Rights Movement, affirmative action was created to allow African American students and women to attain a higher level of education. According to Hultin (2014), "college and universities began adopting similar recruitment policies, and over time the enrollment rates for African Americans and Latino students increased steadily. Despite the efforts that have been made to establish equal opportunity, gaps in college enrollment between minority and white students remain" (p. 1). -
How Affirmative Action affects the Admissions Process in Higher Education Institutions
*Generates discrimination in the admissions process
*Prevents diverse student populations
*Advances racist agendas
*Divides student populations -
Creation of South Texas Community College / South Texas College
South Texas Community College first opened on September 1, 1993, by Texas Senate Bill 251 to served Hidalgo and Starr counties. At that time, South Texas College only offered 10 certificate program and served less than 1,000 students with a region of over 655,000. -
South Texas Community College - Policy #3200
It was not until 1995, that South Texas College's Board of Trustees approved Policy # 3200 into existence. South Texas Community College Board of Trustees
1. Gary Gurwitz - Chairman (Officer)
2. Glen E. Roney - Vice Chairman (Officer)
3. Rosalinda Gonzalez - Secretary (Officer)
4. Manuel Benavidez, Jr. - Member
5. Dr. Amparo Cardenas - Member
6. Ruben E. Hinojosa, Sr. - Member
7. Pearl Mathis - Member -
Hopwood v. Texas 1996
In Hopwood v. Texas, Cheryl Hopwood sued the University of Texas Law because she was not accepted into the school even after having excellent scores and college recommendations. The university justified her rejection by stating the admission standards were different; UT Law stated that the institution lowers admission standards for minorities. The court concluded being accepted or denied based off race was unconstitutional and violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. -
Hopwood v. Texas 1996 Cont'd
This case set the precedent that all universities within the state of Texas rid themselves of all affirmative action policies. In turn, the State of Texas adopted the 10% plan; this plan allows all high school graduates who graduate within the top 10% of their graduating class to be granted acceptance into any Texas university. -
Texas Education Code § 51.762
For the first time the Texas Education Code introduces the common admission application forms. This code was meant for universities to build a common application form to make it easier for first time freshman and undergraduate transfer students to apply to multiple universities using one application. Within the code, there is a caveat in regard to nursing application requirements if an institution deems it necessary and cost-effective. -
Texas Education Code § 51.763
In conjunction with Texas Education Code § 51.762, the Education Code added the electronic admission application form for universities. This code entails that the application must allow the applicant to apply for admission to multiple universities of their preference but that the academic institution is not prohibited from requiring the applicant to submit additional documentation for acceptance into the university. -
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South Texas Community College - Policy #3200
Within the fiscal year of 1998-1999 Policy # 3200 was amended twice. South Texas Community College Board of Trustees
1. Gary Gurwitz - Chairman (Officer)
2. Rosalinda Gonzalez - Vice Chairman (Officer)
3. Glen E. Roney - Secretary (Officer)
4. Manuel Benavidez, Jr. - Member
5. Dr. Amparo Cardenas - Member
6. Roy De Leon - Member
7. Dr. Alejo Salinas - Member -
Period: to
South Texas Community College - Policy #3200
South Texas College, once again amended their original Board Minute order twice during the 2000-2001 fiscal year. South Texas Community College Board of Trustees
1. Glen E. Roney - Chair (Officer)
2. Roy De Leon - Vice Chairman (Officer)
3. Irene Garcia - Secretary (Officer)
4. Manuel Benavidez, Jr. - Member
5. Gary Gurwitz - Member
6. Dr. Alejo Salinas, Jr. - Member
7. Jesse Villarreal - Member -
Period: to
South Texas Community College - Policy #3200
Over the years, South Texas College changed their Policy #3200. The Board of Trustees amended 4 times, in three consecutive years (2003, 2004, 2005). South Texas Community College transitions into South Texas College in 2004. STCC/STC Board of Trustees
1. Roy De Leon - Chairman (Officer)
2. Irene Garcia - Vice Chairman (Officer)
3. Jesse Villarreal - Secretary (Officer)
4. Manuel Benavidez, Jr. - Member
5. Mike Allen - Member
6. Gary Gurwitz - Member
7. Dr. Alejo Salinas, Jr. - Member -
South Texas Community College/South Texas College Admission Application
Before the Texas Education Code amended their policy, community, junior, and technical colleges had their own method of admitting students into their colleges. Attached is a picture of the application method that STCC/STC had for students to fill out before the new Texas Education Code passed. South Texas College eliminated the paper application process approximately 8 years ago and joined the ApplyTexas.org community and made it easier for students to fill out the common application form. -
Institutional Name Change
Due to the increased enrollment and certification and degree availability, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) deemed it appropriate for the institution to change its name. Later, the Board of Trustees and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) agreed on South Texas College as the name for the institution which resulted in a change of policies, mission, institutional statement of purpose, and core values. -
Texas Education Code 51.762 - AMENDED
Texas Education Code 51.762 - Common Admission Application Forms was amended in 2005 from its origination in 1997. The original code allowed students to apply to multiple universities. However, through the advancement and availability of academia, it was predicted that students would begin their study at community colleges first.The amended code was to create a common admissions form for student applications to community, technical, and junior colleges. Sponsors: Royce West & Geanie Morrison -
South Texas College Policy #3200
In 2006, South Texas College once again changed their admissions policy; twice. On 06/15/2006 and again on 11/16/2006. South Texas College Board of Trustees
1. Irene Garza - Chairman (Officer)
2. Jesse Villarreal - Vice Chairman (Officer)
3. Mike Allen - Secretary (Officer)
4. Manuel Benavidez, Jr. - Member
5. Roy De Leon - Member
6. Gary Gurwitz - Member
7. Dr. Alejo Salinas, Jr. - Member -
Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin
This affirmative action court case challenged the admissions process of the University of Texas at Austin when Fisher, who did not graduate under the 10% plan, was not admitted into UT due to her race. UT used her race as a determining factor of acceptance. Outraged by the decision Fisher took her case to the State Court of Appeals and the court ruled in favor of UT. Instances as such have continued to shape the admissions process and how universities accept students into their institutions. -
Texas Education Code 51.762 - AMENDED...AGAIN
For the second time, the Texas Education Code 51.762 was amended in 2013. The code was amended for a second time to include the common application form for nursing students should an institution find it cost effective to include one. The sponsors behind the code being amended was Representative Ryan Guillen, Senator Juan Hinojosa, and Senator Royce West. -
South Texas College Policy #3200
The last time that Policy #3200 was amended was in 2016. The admissions policy still remains in place for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. South Texas College Board of Trustees
1. Dr. Alejo Salinas, Jr. - Chairman (Officer)
2. Graciela Farias - Vice Chair (Officer)
3. Jesse Villarreal - Secretary (Officer)
4. Rose Benavidez - Member
5. Paul R. Rodriguez - Member
6. Gary Gurwitz - Member
7. Roy De Leon - Member -
South Texas College Admission Requirements
Students are admitted to the college under the following provisions but that does not guarantee admission into selective programs.
1. South Texas College follows all mandated rules as per the state in regard to TSI status.
2. It states that any student meeting the following criteria is allowed admittance into the college:
2a. High School Graduation-any student who has graduated from a public, private, or non-traditional high school is allowed to attend. -
South Texas College Admission Requirements Cont'd
2b. Examination-if student did not graduate from high school, the student can be admitted after successfully attaining their GED.
2c. Individual Approval-for any student who does meet any of the criteria listed above exceptions can be made if the student is at least 18 years old and has TSI placement scores and transcripts from last high school attended.
2d. Transfer from another College-All student must meet transfer requirements as per Policy #3320 (Scholastic Progress Standards) -
South Texas College Admission Requirements Cont'd pt.3
2d. Transfer from another College (Cont'd)-conditions that apply to college transfers 1)Transcripts from every institutions attended must be submitted. 2)Transcripts must be evaluated course-by-course for transfer credit to be awarded. 3)Passing grade of a C; anything lower or developmental will not transfer. 4)Credits attained outside the US or outside a regional accreditation agency will need to be sent to a third party agency for credit. 5)Transfer student can be admitted as a"fresh start". -
Admission Policies in the Future
Admission policies are important because it allows institutions to pick a diverse population of students while also awarding acceptance to those who meet requirements of admission. I believe one of my favorite things about working at a community college is that we are an open door of opportunities for many students in my region. It is important to note South Texas College takes the precautions necessary to advise students of additional application procedures in regard to selective programs. -
Admissions Policies in the Future
Many of our selective programs at South Texas College must follow respective Board regulations, as well as State of Texas regulations. Selective programs at South Texas College include but are not limited to: Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Basic Peace Officer, Emergency Medical Technician, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Medical Office Specialist, Pharmacy Technology, Licensed Vocational Nursing, Sign Language Interpreting, Respiratory Therapist, Diagnostic Sonography, etc. -
Admissions Policies in the Future
In regard to how effective or ineffective admission policies are, I believe that a college or university needs to maintain integrity and diversity. There are many students across the nation and world who can provide institutions with different perspectives. Although that can be challenging, given the United States political climate right now, knowing and understanding a situation from someone else's perspective is what college is about. -
Admissions Policies in the Future
It is about stepping out of our comfort zones and learning other races, cultures, idealisms, etc. The generic requirements (transcripts, test scores, HS diploma, GED), as long as education stays on the forefront, will always remain the same. The high school drop-out rate is decreasing, so if anything, GED programs may become obsolete due to the intense demand on higher education for employment. -
References
•Davidson, K. (2017, May 02). Texas Law Logo [Digital image]. Retrieved September 14, 2017, from http://transactionalmeet.lawmeets.com/u-texas/
•Epps, G. (2015, December 10). [Abigail Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin]. Retrieved September 14, 2017, from https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/12/when-can-race-be-a-college-admissions-factor/419808/
•Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, 570 U.S. __ (2013)
•Hopwood v. Texas, 78 F. 3d 932 (5th Cir. 1996) -
References Cont'd
•Hultin, B. B. (2014, February 07). Affirmative Action Overview. Retrieved July 19, 2017, from http://www.ncsl.org/research/education/affirmative-action-overview.aspx
•Morse, J. (2016, November 26). Jim Crow was Bad, but the Civil Rights Act is Worse. Retrieved July 21, 2017, from https://beinglibertarian.com/jim-crow-bad-civil-rights-act-worse/ -
References Cont'd
•R, N. (2017, January 28). Texas Education Code - iOS [Digital image]. Retrieved September 14, 2017, from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/texas-education-code-2017/id1051746758?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
•South Texas College. (2012, August). An Overview of the Unique History of STC [PDF]. McAllen: South Texas College.
•South Texas College. (2015, September 01). South Texas College Logo [Official Colors and Logo]. Retrieved September 13, 2017, from https://admin.southtexascollege.edu/pr/logo/ -
References Cont'd
•South Texas College. (2016, September 01). 2016-2017 Catalog Cover [South Texas College Catalog Cover ]. Retrieved September 13, 2017, from https://catalog.southtexascollege.edu/archive/2016-2017/
•South Texas College. (2017, September 01). Manual of Policy [PDF]. McAllen: South Texas College.
•South Texas College. (n.d.). Welcome Visitors. Retrieved September 13, 2017, from https://www.southtexascollege.edu/visitors/index.html
•Texas Education Code § 51.762
•Texas Education Code § 51.763 -
References Cont'd
•U.S. Const. amend. XIV
•Wilkinson, Signe. "It's His Fault." The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2017. https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2015/09/affirmative-action-actually-hurts-campus-race-relations/.
