Cigarroa has steadfastly refused to go into detail about his views on tuition restraints, saying only that UT officials and legislators will have to work together to resolve the thorny issue. He's much more expansive and passionate, about the prospect of changing admissions policies.
Under current law, students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class are guaranteed automatic entry to state universities. That law was passed in 1997 after the federal courts prompted state universities to abandon affirmative action policies.
At UT-Austin, more than 80 percent of the Texas freshmen gained admission though the top 10 percent provision. UT wants more say about who gets in the door.
Cigarroa said UT could keep a diverse student body even if the top 10 percent law is modified or eliminated.
"I think we can find an appropriate balance where universities not only look at the top 10 percent, but they also look at those wonderfully competitive students who may have not made the top 10 percent but have done something incredibly special," Cigarroa said. "I believe that we can probably not only maintain the diversity that has occurred as the result of top 10 percent, but I believe we can improve diversity at all levels."
Cigarroa also said revitalizing the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston would be a top priority. . Hurricane Ike walloped the facility, which was already losing money on care for indigent patients, with more than $1 billion in damages, forcing 2,500 layoffs.
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
