Op-Ed: Affirmative Action

Opinion Piece: Affirmative Action

As a University of Texas at Austin student, affirmative action has become a controversial issue prevalent in my everyday life. It is not uncommon for a professor to start up a class debate on the topic or for the university’s president, Gregory L. Fenves, to send students an email regarding his views. As the Supreme Court has reconsidered the constitutionality of affirmative action due to a 2008 case that challenged the University of Texas at Austin’s affirmative action policies in its admission process, I have started to reconsider my views on the potential of affirmative action.

In a recent email from President Fenves to University of Texas students, the president describes his passion for a diverse student body. In his most recent email, President Fenves suggests that it is “vital that our students have the opportunity to work with others from different backgrounds and experiences.” President Fenves goes on to say that both the university and the nation will benefit the most from an environment rich in diversity.   

I agree with President Fenves argument about the potential positive impacts of a diverse student body. I believe that to get the most out of my college experience, I must be around students who challenge my beliefs and values. As a white female student from a middle class family, I will benefit the most by surrounding myself with peers from diverse socioeconomic, religious and racial backgrounds. Although affirmative action does give students the opportunity to be exposed to diversity, it does not force students to make use of this opportunity. We choose to become acquaintances with people who are like us. While a typical classroom at the University of Texas at Austin may have students from diverse backgrounds, these students will not usually interact with one another. How often do we walk into a classroom and think I am going to sit by a person who I have absolutely nothing in common with? I am aware that it would benefit me the most to have a diverse peer group; however, it is often difficult to step outside of our comfort zone. Personally when I walk into the first day of classes I will probably choose a seat next to a white female dressed similar to myself.

While President Fenves’ ideas surrounding the unlimited potential of a diverse student body are admirable, I believe that there must be more than affirmative action to achieve a diverse student body. Affirmative action forces people of different races and backgrounds to be in a room together. It does not create an environment in which these people will learn and grow from one another’s experiences. The fact that we choose to spend time with like-minded people will not change from affirmative action alone. Cliques determined by race and socioeconomic background will not suddenly vanish based on the Court’s decision. While affirmative action policies are a significant attempt to reduce these cliques, friendships based on racial and economic commonalities will continue. Unless the cultural climate of the southern United States changes, affirmative action will not reach its full potential.  Soon the United States Supreme Court will decide the constitutionality of affirmative action. In my opinion the Court’s decision will have no effect on the impact of campus diversity because it will not force students to make use of this diversity.