ISU defends admissions as feds seek to quash affirmative action efforts

Posted on August 3, 2017
ISU
Illinois State University said its admissions policies don’t discriminate against white applicants even as the Trump Administration is reportedly preparing to investigate affirmative action programs at universities nationwide. (WJBC file photo)

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – Illinois State University expects to withstand the scrutiny of the Trump Administration should it decide to challenge affirmative action admissions programs.

The Justice Department is recruiting lawyers to investigate and take to court universities that discriminate against white applicants, according to a New York Times report.

ISU spokesman Eric Jome said it’s possible to actively recruit minorities and at the same time have an admissions policy that’s fair for all applicants.

“It’s a priority to try to recruit a very diverse population,” said Jome.

“But again, we have admissions standards that we adhere to, admissions requirements, and really trying to look at the whole person,” Jome also said.

Enrollment figures indicate the percentage of white undergraduate students is trending slightly lower.

White students coming to ISU for the first time last fall accounted for 73 percent of new undergrads, compared to 75 percent when counting new and returning undergrads.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

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