Trustees oppose state constitutional amendment petition push (me too)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2835&u_sid=10345378

Published Thursday May 29, 2008
Trustees oppose petition push
BY KHRISTOPHER J. BROOKS
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

The State College Board of Trustees is joining opposition to a petition drive seeking a state constitutional amendment that would prohibit public universities from using race, gender and ethnicity when considering new students, hiring faculty and awarding scholarships.

State College Chancellor Stan Carpenter said Wednesday that trustees voted to oppose the petition effort because the Nebraska State College System has hundreds of minority students at its three campuses and admissions directors want to recruit more minority students and faculty.

The trustees believe there's a good chance that such a ban would keep minority students from considering Wayne, Chadron or Peru State College, Carpenter said.

"We're trying to encourage a more diverse student population, so they'll be used to working in a global economy. I think by taking this action, it sends the wrong message as we attempt to broaden the diversity at our institutions," he said.

There were 582 minority students and 11 full-time minority professors in the state colleges in 2006-07 year, the most recent year for which records are available. The system's Web site says it has close to 8,000 students and more than 500 credentialed faculty.

The trustees, who voted 7-0 last week to oppose the petition drive, join Nebraska's Community College Association and the University of Nebraska Board of Regents in opposing the petition effort.


FULL story at link.

[LiberalAndProud]

1. Add the ACLU to opponents.

Funny, I've never been approached to sign. I'd probably give the petitioner a piece of my mind if they did. Any word on signatures so far?

[residentfan]

2. Those bastards

Those bastards approached my daughter and told her that they were pushing an amendment that would promote equality throughout the state. My daughter had no idea what they were really trying to do, and signed the petition. She ran ahead of me so I was unable to stop her before she did so. I gave the woman a good tongue lashing, and the shit hole who was working with her too for misleading my daughter. I was furious about it, and still am.