A diverse cross-section of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus community spent a good portion of Tuesday pushing back against a conservative think tank?s report that purports to show whites and Asians aren?t getting a fair crack at being admitted to Wisconsin?s flagship institution of higher education. But while some viewed the studies released by the Center for Equal Opportunity as a chance to challenge those who don?t see the value in affirmative action programs, the report also opened the door for critics of UW-Madison?s “holistic” admissions policy, which takes into account everything from grades and test scores to leadership activities, socioeconomic factors, race and ethnicity.
….”I don’t feel pressure to change what we’re doing,” says UW-Madison admissions director Adele Brumfield. “I really don’t. I can appreciate that some people have concerns. But at the same time we feel good about what we’re doing and feel like it’s a process with great integrity.”