While much attention statewide has been placed on the recall of Gov. Gray Davis, another issue poised for the Oct. 7 ballot, if the vote is not postponed, has particularly sparked university scrutiny — Proposition 54, the Classification by Race, Ethnicity, Color or National Origin initiative.
The proposition has drawn criticism from UC regents and others because it would limit the ability of state agencies and institutions to classify individuals by race. Initiative opponents have said this information is crucial for research, for exposing discrimination, for checking the progress of recruitment programs and for administering financial aid.
How far the measure goes is still being debated. Some analysts have said the proposition would exempt racial data that is collected for fulfillment of federal requirements and likely would allow such data to be collected for medical research.
In May, acting upon recommendations from UC President Richard Atkinson and the Academic Senate, a majority of UC regents voted to oppose the initiative, noting it could hinder scientists ability to conduct research. It was only the 10th time in 25 years that the university had gone on record regarding a state ballot measure.
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw said the Academic Council of the UC Assembly of the Academic Senate opposes Proposition 54 based on an analysis of the measure’s impacts on the educational, research and public service missions of the university. That report is available at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/senate/reports/ CRECNOupdate.pdf.
“The Academic Council’s analysis reflects my own personal views,” Hinshaw said. “However, I urge all members of the campus community to review the Council’s letter, read the initiative, and consider the views of the supporters and opponents of Proposition 54.”
“With respect to the direct impacts of Proposition 54 on the university’s mission,” Hinshaw said, “I believe that elimination of such data — for example, population-based surveys — clearly compromises the ability of our researchers to explore and analyze critical issues based on race and ethnicity, reduces our ability to generate and share new knowledge useful to people of all races and ethnicities, and limits our understanding of who and how well we provide educational opportunities to all of the people of California.”
The regents’ vote to oppose the initiative was 15 to 3, with one abstention. Regents Ward Connerly, John Davies and Peter Preuss voted against the majority.
Proponents of Proposition 54, like Connerly, who has helped spearhead the measure, say identifying people by race is divisive, and the only way to achieve a colorblind society is to stop putting attention on color. Connerly also led the 1996 campaign for Proposition 209, a ban on racial preferences in public employment, education and contracting.
UC currently collects racial and ethnic data for numerous purposes, including the evaluation of the university’s application, admission and enrollment practices and assessment of the effectiveness of its outreach programs. Such data is also used to evaluate faculty and staff employment and contracting policies and to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations.
Attorneys and analysts who have studied the language of the proposition say much about its potential impact is unclear and would likely be resolved by courts and the Legislature.
The nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office says much of the race-related data now collected by the state and local entities is required by the federal government and would continue under the measure’s exemptions. Health surveys also appear to be exempt.
But other data, including information on companies doing business with the state and on prospective college and university students, probably would be restricted, said the analyst’s report. And the effect on many other areas, such as law enforcement agencies’ ability to analyze crime trends by race, is not certain, the report says.
Prop. 54 was originally scheduled for the March 2004 ballot, but was moved up to coincide with California’s Oct. 7 recall election.
More information about the Oct. 7 ballot is available at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/ news/oct03election.html.