MARY HOLSCHER Second-year law student Josh
Piovia-Scott holds a sign in support of affirmative
action.
By Chris Goodmacher
Daily Bruin Contributor
In anticipation of next week’s UC Board of Regents’
meeting at Covel Commons, students gathered in front of the UCLA
School of Law Thursday to speak out against the lack of affirmative
action in the university and its effect at the law school.
The event, organized by the Coalition to Prevent Resegregation,
brought about 70 members of the law school community together to
denounce SP-1 and 2, policies the regents passed in 1995 that ended
the use of race, gender and ethnicity in university admissions and
hiring.
“(These policies) stigmatize UC as being hostile to
minorities,” said Sarah Netburn, third-year law student.
Thousands of college and high school students, community
organizers and people throughout the state are expected to converge
on UCLA next week to protest at the regents’ meeting.
Though repealing SP-1 and SP-2 isn’t on the agenda at this
meeting, proponents and regents expect it to be on the May meeting
agenda. Even if the board repeals the policies, Proposition 209
would continue to prohibit the use of affirmative action.
Protesters cited the current low minority populations at the law
school. The current first-year class has nine African American
students out of 310 total students, according to Erica Woods,
first-year law student.
Speakers pointed out that demographic changes have created an
intimidating classroom environment for minorities.
“Walking into class, and not seeing anyone that looks like
you is an imposing ordeal no one should have to suffer,” said
Woods.
Minorities feel silent in class, and some are reluctant to speak
out, said Ken Graham, a professor at the law school.
“It’s quite a load to have to speak for a
community,” he added.
Law school Dean Jonathan Varat declined to comment because he
did not feel informed enough about the rally, according to his
secretary.
With SP-1 in place, minority students are not applying, Netburn
said. There has been a 41.3 percent drop in applications from
African American students since the policy was approved.
A lack of diversity may also endanger the accreditation of the
law school, Graham said.
“Accrediting agencies won’t let you have all-white
law schools anymore,” he said.
Between speeches, organizers also presented a declaration with
the signatures of 15 professors and two faculty members in support
of repealing SP-1 and 2.
According to many of the speakers, the effects of these policies
go beyond the school.
“(These policies will) have a devastating effect on the
future bench, the bar, and legislatures,” said Ismalia
Gutierrez, a third-year law student.
Student Regent Justin Fong said these students could come out of
the law school and be critical of what the school has to offer, and
rightfully so.
“These are the best and the brightest, they know what
they’re talking about,” Fong said.
Organizers however, were more optimistic about a repeal of SP-1
and 2 in the near future.
“Some regents have clearly indicated they might be voting
to repeal SP-1 in May,” Gutierrez said.
Fong agreed that a repeal is likely.
“I think we have the votes. There’s no reason not to
repeal SP-1 for the sake of the university,” he said.