Toolkit

Tool 1
The Diversity Imperative:
The Compelling Case

Tool 2
Access and Diversity: Related but Distinct Concepts

Tool 3
Key Terms and Concepts: Knowing the Basics

Tool 4
Mythbusters:
Correcting Common Misunderstandings

Tool 5
Making Connections:
A Holistic View of
Key Strategies

Tool 6
Admission: Exploring Key
Strategies for Achieving Success

Tool 7
Financial Aid and Scholarships:
Exploring Key Strategies for
Achieving Success

Tool 8
Getting from Here to There: Managing the Process of Policy Change

Tool 9
Beyond Federal Law: State Voter Initiatives and Their Consequences

Tool 10
Taking a Stand: Higher Education Leadership for the 21st Century

#9 Beyond Federal Law: State Voter Initiatives and Their Consequences

The Issue

In addition to federal law regarding access and diversity issues in higher education, there are rules in certain states that can affect how access and diversity policies are developed and implemented. State laws and executive orders are examples of potential methods of state expression related to access and diversity.

Notably, nothing in the Supreme Court’s diversity-related opinions applying federal nondiscrimination law specifically prohibits the enactment of state constitutional, statutory or regulatory provisions that forbid the use of race or ethnicity in public higher education. In short, federal law establishes a “floor” upon which state law may, in appropriate circumstances, “build.” Thus, in several states, voter (or executive) initiatives have given effect to policy preferences that forbid public higher education institutions from conferring benefits or opportunities based on race, ethnicity and gender.

The Policy Context

The following map and table provide an overview of relevant state initiatives prohibiting race-, ethnicity- and gender-conscious policies among public higher education institutions.

Key Action Steps

If building a diverse campus is important to your institution, the following actions may help to build public and political will to support your agenda:

1. Build broad-based coalitions to inform policy development and provide support, with the right leadership (higher education, business, military, government, etc.) advocating the educational, economic, civic and security interests advanced by diverse student bodies.
2. Convey a common sense description of what the research and experience show regarding the relative benefits and costs associated with diversity, with a focus on the benefits of diversity that inure to all individuals, as well as the rationale and need for considering race in certain cases when making admission and related decisions.
3. Pursue public education campaigns associated with the benefits of diversity, focusing on the importance of higher education institutions preserving their full array of policy options consistent with federal law when making mission-driven decisions that have major institutional, economic and societal consequences.

Selected Resource

Coleman et al., From Federal Law to State Voter Initiatives: Preserving Higher Education’s Authority to Achieve the Educational, Economic, Civic, and Security Benefits Associated with a Diverse Student Body (The College Board, 2007). (This policy paper significantly expands on the central points covered in this tool.)

November 2009 Version