The University's ongoing debate over the use of race as a factor in admissions came to Student Council last night. Office of African-American Affairs Dean M. Rick Turner addressed Council members saying that he doubts the Board of Visitors' intentions and that he firmly supports the University's current admissions policies.
The debate over University admissions policies intensified Saturday, when the Virginia State Conference of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People called for the removal of Board member Terence P. Ross for statements he made about the quality of black students at the University.
Turner said he feels some Board members "want the University to be what it was when they were here - all white and all male," and that they do not support the use of race in admissions.
Council members said they felt the issue is important to the University and that they should address it.
But, members also said they should wait to collect more information before passing any legislation about the admissions policy.
"Council needs to hear from members of the Board or others who believe that the University's present affirmative action program promotes reverse discrimination ... only after we hear from both sides should Council give an official opinion on this issue," College Rep. Brendan Dignan said.
Turner said black students already face an uphill climb getting to the University, since they often come from less-privileged backgrounds than white students.
He said he "will not put a blanket statement" on the feelings of the Board, but that the "behavior [of certain Board members] is not conducive to equal opportunity."
He added that his knowledge about the feelings of Board members is not first-hand and has been reported to him by other sources.
In what they deem a step toward equal opportunity, Board members have recommended the University establish a summer program to teach underprivileged students skills they will need to get into college while they are still in high school.
But Turner said he did not think such a program would create equal opportunities.
"No two-week program will make up for white privileges in this country," he said.
He added that problems for black students at the University stem from the fact that it was "founded in segregation."
Originally, the plan at the University was that blacks "help build this University and get on with the work of cleaning toilets," he said.
College Rep. Matt Madden said Council will wait before considering an official stance.
"Everybody's taking a look at it all and getting the facts together," Madden said.
College Rep. Marc Olsen said Turner's visit to Council will help the representative body make an informed decision about the controversial issue.
During his remarks, Turner urged Council to express their views on the subject and expressed the importance of a continuing dialogue.
"It's color. It's race. But no one wants to talk about it," Turner said.
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