During his State of the University address Saturday morning, University President John T. Casteen III reiterated his support for the use of race in admissions and also addressed other issues now facing the University.
About 500 parents, students, faculty members and administrators crowded into Old Cabell Hall to hear Casteen speak. Although he emphasized both the strengths and weaknesses of the University during his hour-long speech, Casteen focused on the recent controversy over the University's use of race as a factor in admissions.
"This institution, within the law, will see to it that equality of opportunity will remain the factor that it has been," he said.
He added he feels students receive a better education at the University because of its diverse student body.
Casteen also said the current policy does use race only as one factor among many considerations when making admissions decisions.
"To me it seems almost silly to describe the use of race" as a factor in admissions under the current policy, he said.
Casteen's remarks brought thunderous applause from the audience.
During a public question-and-answer session after the address, Patricia Broussard, African-American Parents Advisory Association president, praised Casteen for "walking the talk" and stating his support for the current admissions policies and a diverse student body.
M. Rick Turner, Office of African-American Affairs dean, said he was pleased Casteen took the opportunity to state publicly his position on admissions.
"I'm always pleased with President Casteen's passion and forthrightness on this issue," Turner said.
William W. Harmon, vice president for student affairs, said the importance of Casteen's support for the admissions policy was evident from the enthusiastic reaction of the crowd and by Broussard's statements.
Another major focus of Casteen's speech was the ever-decreasing level of funding that the University receives from the state.
He said the University now receives about 13.5 percent of its budget from the state - a significant drop from several years ago when about 29 percent of the budget came from the state.
"The abiding consequence of losing state support is losing faculty," he added.
But although the University is nearing completion of its $1 billion Capital Campaign fundraising effort, Casteen said he does not envision the University becoming independent from the state any time in the near future.
"The Board of Visitors is politically appointed," he said. "It's impossible to imagine the governor giving up political appointments."
During his speech, Casteen also addressed issues of student life and praised the efforts of student leaders to carry out student self-governance.
"I have tremendous respect for the way students run their affairs," he said.
"This has been a good decade for us," he finished.
Read More
BREAKING: Two fraternities suspended, one terminated after hazing allegations
By Ford McCracken | 12 hours agoThe University’s chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha is the founding chapter of the fraternity, which was founded in West Range room 47 in 1868.
From the archives: April 22 – April 28
By Maisy Callahan and Grace Franklin | 15 hours agoThose opposed to the Mall feared closing Main St. would create inconvenience and traffic, which would in turn decrease the income made by merchants.
Students for Justice in Palestine criticizes University at “die-in” on Lawn
By Thomas Baxter | YesterdayThe protest consisted of a speech by Josh Rosenberg, SJP president and third-year College student, followed by the reading of the names of 65 killed Palestinians.
