Connerly said the measure doesn’t ban all affirmative action, but says it cannot be used in hiring, admissions or the awarding of contracts at government institutions.
Dunham said Connerly is playing to people’s fears that unqualified minorities are being picked over qualified non-minorities.She said it took the University of California system seven years to rebound in applications from African-American students. “The impact is greater than just the decision that’s before us today,” she said.
The proposed amendment has met opposition from the University of Nebraska, with the Board of Regents saying it could eliminate some measures the university now uses to increase and promote diversity. That includes recruitment of students from other countries, trying to attract more minority candidates for faculty positions and events aimed at minority students.
A group wanting to amend the state constitution must gather about 114,000 signatures 10 percent of the state’s registered voters by July 4 to get the issue on the November ballot.
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