Thursday, November 5, 1998
Faculty plans next step to protest end of affirmative action
ACTIVISM: Professors consider new tactics after election of
Davis as governor, successful walkout
By Dasol Kim
Daily Bruin Contributor
Two days after affirmative action advocates scored a victory
with the triumph of Gray Davis in the race for California governor,
faculty at UCLA ponder their next move, after the arguably
successful system-wide faculty walkout.
Faculty who took part in the walkout did so as a response to the
low admissions numbers for underrepresented minorities at UCLA last
year. Many of them voiced displeasure with the university’s
outreach efforts, which have been criticized for not making enough
of a difference.
"As far as I understand, most of the outreach is in
development," said Rafael Perez-Torres, professor of English and
organizer of the event.
The two-day walkout protesting the end of affirmative action,
which banned the consideration of race or gender in UC admissions
process, attracted around 200 faculty and student protesters at
UCLA alone. Universities across the nation acted similarly by
commemorating the Students and Youth Day of Action in Defense of
Affirmative Action.
Overall, there were mixed responses regarding the impact and the
message of the event.
"It’s sad and unfortunate that professors at the UC would rather
spend their time protesting and marching rather than teaching our
students in the classrooms," said Ron Low, deputy press secretary
for Governor Pete Wilson.
Regent Frank Clark, who voted for SP-1 and SP-2 (the UC Board of
Regents decisions which foreshadowed Proposition 209), felt that
the walkouts served no purpose.
"I don’t see the relevance of a faculty walkout on a legal
matter that must be decided upon by the Supreme Court of the United
States," he said.
However, Perez-Torres explained that since faculty were
protesting, the event was viewed differently.
"I think that the campus community viewed this walkout in a
different light since it was generated by faculty concern," he
said.
After the rally, organizers held a meeting to discuss the
walkout among faculty. Faculty members were "happy with enthusiasm"
and there was a "high level of interest" in the affirmative action
issue, Perez-Torres said.
"One of the most important things about the whole event is that
it encourages the creation of links across campus and throughout
the UC system," said Richard Yarborough, professor of English.
"I suspect that (the faculty) will come together sometime soon
to discuss future activities," he said.
Organizers of the walkout said it would set a precedent for
future faculty activities. Even though no events are planned,
organizers have set both short and long-term goals, Perez-Torres
said.
Organizers have two immediate goals. First, they hope to explore
how diversity has enhanced education at UCLA through programs such
as dorm teach-ins.
"The faculty’s mission of teaching can serve to educate the
broader public regarding the complexities of the whole issue of
diversity," Yarborough said.
They are also pushing to get faculty from across the UC system
to meet and discuss upcoming plans for each campus.
Among their long-term goals, organizers plan on bringing
students and faculty together around the issue of affirmative
action.
In addition, the importance of racial, ethnic and gender
diversity for students will be highlighted through a faculty
mentorship program.
They also wish to make faculty voices heard concerning the issue
of affirmative action.
"I think one of the most unfortunate aspects of this discussion
around diversity and affirmative action is the lack of coherence,
lack of accurate discussion of the issue and a dissemination of
misinformation," Yarborough said.
"It’s important to try to counter as much of this misinformation
as possible," he said.
Among those speaking in support on the second day of walkouts
was the Rev. Jesse Jackson.
"Considering that this was the first action of the school year,
I thought it was very successful," Wong said.
"The turnout of the event was impressive, and the fact that they
generated significant community support was also significant," he
said.
With Davis as governor, the faculty can look forward to more
support from the UC Regents, Wong said.
"I think the timing (of the walkout) is especially significant
in light of the election," he said. "For the first time in many
years, we have leadership in the governor’s office and in the State
Assembly and Senate who support affirmative action."
"Now Davis will be making appointments to the UC Regents (and
that may support affirmative action)," he said.
Low was quick to point out, however, that Davis’ options are
limited.
"The same people of California that went to the ballot box to
eliminate (affirmative action) voted to elected Gray Davis as the
next governor of California," he said.
"The bottom line is that Governor-elect Davis is sworn to uphold
the laws of California, and Prop. 209 is the law in California," he
said.
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