A study released Feb. 22 by the Center for Equal Opportunity lists the University as one of 47 undergraduate institutions that actively considers race as a factor in their admissions processes.
The CEO is a think tank based in Washington D.C., that opposes affirmative action policies in the higher education.
"We believe universities should not allow race to be considered in admissions," CEO general counsel Roger Clegg said. "The University of Virginia is discriminating against whites and Asians in favor of African Americans and, to a lesser extent, Hispanics."
According to the study, race and ethnicity play an important role in admissions.
The study claims that a black student who scores 90 points lower on the SAT than a white student is just as likely to be admitted to the University.
A similar study released in 1999 ignited widespread controversy over the use of affirmative action policies in considering prospective applicants at the University.
The University criticized the previous report as incorrect because it did not take into account factors that can play a crucial role in admissions, such as in-state residency and legacy.
But the 2001 study included additional data to address previous criticisms. According to Clegg, data taken from the University to compile the current study included SAT scores, class rank, gender, legacy status and state residency.
"Even taking into account the in-state, out-of-state and legacy factors, the University is still discriminating on the basis of race and ethnicity," Clegg said.
University officials claim that the study is invalid because it fails to take into account subjective factors that cannot be quantified.
It uses a limited analysis that does not account for an applicants' essays, recommendations or activities, said Karen Holt, director of Equal Opportunity Programs at the University.
The University uses a holistic process in admission decisions. Both objective and subjective factors are examined during the admissions process, Holt said.
University officials denied that they are choosing applicants on the basis of race.
"Every person that is extended an offer is well qualified to be at this University," Holt said.
"Well-qualified students are getting into the University and graduating successfully," Dean of Admissions John A. Blackburn said. "We believe we are operating within the guidelines set out by the Board of Visitors."
In response to criticism over the study's failure to account for other factors, CEO officials claim that subjective factors would be very difficult to include in the analysis and would not in large measure change the results, Clegg said.
According to Clegg, the CEO will continue to publish studies about race in undergraduate admissions and will expanded its studies to include admission into medical and law schools around the country.
"We oppose racial and ethnic discrimination in college admission policies," Clegg said. "We hope by publicizing the evidence of discrimination that pressure will be brought to bear on universities to stop discriminating."
The University's response to the new study is largely the same as before. The new study did not show any new problems or questions that were not presented by the previous survey Blackburn said.
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