Regents consider admissions policy proposal

The UW System Board of Regents is considering an updated freshman admissions policy that would ensure a comprehensive review of each applicant — a policy that is consistent with longstanding practices at UW–Madison.

Under the proposed policy, all UW campuses would have clear guidelines for performing an individualized review of every applicant, taking into account personal factors such as community service, extracurricular activities and veteran status.

Included in the broad category of nonacademic criteria is consideration of “whether the applicant is socioeconomically disadvantaged and whether the applicant is a member of a historically underrepresented racial or ethnic group.”

To allow for additional education and public input on comprehensive admissions, the regents held a special statewide public forum on Jan. 29 at the Pyle Center in anticipation of the proposal’s consideration at the February board meeting.

“This policy would allow each institution to admit students whose academic preparation, background and personal experience suggests they will succeed,” said UW System president Kevin Reilly.

Although the proposal would not affect practices at UW–Madison, the university was represented at the session by numerous campus officials lending support to comprehensive admissions, including provost Patrick Farrell, admissions director Rob Seltzer, vice provost for climate and diversity Bernice Durand, vice provost for enrollment management Joanne Berg and interim dean of students Lori Berquam.

Speakers from sites around the state, including business interests, high school guidance counselors, students and alumni, endorsed the update, which would be reviewed by regents every five years.

Comprehensive admissions reflects numerous nonacademic factors, but the consideration of race was the central topic of discussion.

Michelle Behnke, a Madison lawyer and 1988 Law School alumna, said America does not yet have a color-blind society and needs to consider race to treat applicants fairly.

“Consideration of race along with the academic qualifications is a perfectly appropriate way to handle this situation,” said Behnke, who is African American. “It’s what I expect from my university.”

Critics of the policy, including emeritus professor of economics Lee Hansen and former regent Fred Mohs, argued that diversity could be promoted in other ways outside of admissions, including reviews of Plan 2008.

Ahead of the session, Farrell noted that UW–Madison students from around the state and country benefit from learning in an environment full of diverse perspectives.

“We know that education is most effective in environments where students interact with others who possess different experiences, opinions and worldviews,” he said.

Chancellor John Wiley and Seltzer testified on Jan. 11 before the Legislative Council’s Special Committee on Affirmative Action to detail UW–Madison’s comprehensive admissions policies.

At the committee hearing, Wiley argued that UW–Madison should reflect Wisconsin society. Race is one factor among many in admissions, but there is no point system and no applicant has lost a slot solely because of his or her race.