SEATTLE — Some students at the University of Washington (UW) have formed what they call a "multicultural think tank" to maintain the school's diversity in the wake of anti-affirmative action Initiative 200.
The think tank will come up with a list of proposals to encourage and prepare minority high school graduates to apply to the university.
"The first year after something like Initiative 200 is the biggest time to decide what happens for the future," says Tyrone Porter, a doctoral student in bioengineering and think-tank member. "I didn't want to just sit around and not see things really going on."
I-200, passed by voters in November, prohibits the consideration of race and gender in state government contracting, hiring, and college admissions. At the UW, which had considered race in admissions before I-200, preliminary figures show a decline in minority applications, and administrators fear that will translate into lower minority enrollments.
The think-tank members' ideas include sending teams of UW students to area high schools, teaching teen-agers good study habits, and helping them prepare for college-entrance tests. The think tank planned to present its ideas to UW board members late last month.
"The biggest thing is students going out and being the primary ambassadors for the school," Porter says. "I don't think that's being done on a regular basis right now."
The university is developing its own outreach plan to maintain diversity among UW students. Ideas being considered include placing UW counselors in some high schools, recruitment mailings, and working more closely with community groups.
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