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Amicus Brief from the University of South Mobile by Mark Palmer and Noah Bostick

March 14th, 2013

 
 

Argument

If the court decides to rule in favor of Fisher, their decision will positively impact our school, the university of south east mobile, for the following reasons.


Diversity is more than just race. The idea that racial consideration is the key to a diverse student body is false. Additionally, the idea that diversity is solely the main component to a worldly campus is additionally not completely true. In order to effectively implement racial consideration, it is imperative that a school first has an open-minded and racially accepting student and staff body. Therefore, the current requirements for the use of racial consideration are flawed as they don’t assure the effectiveness of racial consideration. These standards have to be changed. However, diversity can still be an effective tool in improving the quality of a school, if it is considered that diversity encompasses more than just race. Sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and gender play equally important roles in the overall idea of diversity.


It is important to support equality.
Equality in schools is a very important aspect in our society and is based around the basic principle that all men are created equal. This logic should be applied to admissions programs because it benefits the students fundamental rights. By the time most students are accepted into college, they’re legally adults, and have legally accepted the rights and responsibilities that come with the title. Admissions programs should treat students with the respect they deserve, and at the very least respect their basic freedoms. If colleges consider race in admissions it sends a message that students are defined by their race. This message is false and harmful, and certainly shouldn’t be taught by any higher educational facilities.
Artificial diversity has negative impacts on students.
There is some argument to be made that diversity contributes to the exchange of ideas. However, this point is outweighed by the harm artificial discrimination causes to students. Minority students accepted to colleges through racial consideration are often branded with negative labels, by thinking that they are not good enough to get admitted on a general admission scale. Other students think that they shouldn’t have been accepted to the college, which could in turn create a hostile learning environment. Also, minority students who were accepted in without the use of racial consideration could also be attached with a social stigma that could increase stress, and likewise lower learning conditions. Disputes over racial consideration in admissions, such as Fisher v University of Texas, can reflect very poorly on school, branding them as ‘racist’ or ‘discriminatory’. See as how important the process of admissions is, it is a reasonable assumption that many more similar conflicts will arise if racial consideration is allowed to continue.