15 Issues to Watch

For the next several months, in observance of Black Issues In Higher Education's 15th Anniversary,  this special column will be devoted to looking back and ahead to the events, people, and institutions having the greatest impact on access and equity in higher education. For this edition, the column highlights some of the issues and events to watch on the legislative, academic, and organizational landscape this coming academic year.

15 Issues to Watch in 1999-2000

1. The University of Michigan Affirmative Action Case: The country will be following closely the courtroom arguments in the pivotal case against the University of Michigan's admissions policies—a case that could have a major impact on the affirmative action battlefield. University officials intend to argue that their admissions policies have made the campus more diverse and have lined up experts to argue that all students benefit from that diversity. Just last month, a federal court cleared the way for a group of intervening Black and Hispanic students to join the defense. The students plan to argue that the university needs to have affirmative action policies in place to remedy past discrimination.

2. Y2K Preparation: A nationwide crunch is on to bring technology systems on American college campuses into Y2K compliance. A recent federal report says 46 percent of American colleges and universities do not yet have Y2K plans, and another 46 percent are saying they don't expect to be Y2K compliant until after September 1999.

3. Campaign 2000: Race, Education, and Presidential Politics: After Republicans unsuccessfully tried making affirmative action a hot button issue in the 1996 presidential election year campaigns, it's likely they'll bring it up again in 2000. Already, education has emerged as a major priority agenda item for presidential candidates in both parties.

4. Show Me the Money: Will Republican tax breaks force cuts in higher education funding, including Pell grants? Tax cuts passed by Republican legislators have set in motion the possibility of a big showdown over higher education funding. Deep education cuts could put minorities in contention for Higher Education Act funding, echoing last year's dispute between Blacks and Hispanics over Title III.