I am responding to an article in The Cavalier Daily arguing against affirmative action by Annette Robertson (“Reverse discrimination,” Oct. 3). I thought it was well done, and I applaud the author for it. However, I was surprised that she did not mention another more intuitive reason why affirmative action is illogical: It would be unfair to alter an applicant’s chances of admission based on a physical characteristic over which he or she has no control. Consider this: Would it be fair to help or hinder an applicant because he was born ugly or beautiful? Or because he was born with a certain eye color? Somehow, I doubt it. Nobody chooses to be born with those types of arbitrary (relative to admission) physical characteristics that have no relation to merit. Likewise, I submit that it would be inconsistent and irrational to enhance or detract from someone’s chances of admission because he was born into a certain race.
Byron Cheon
CLAS II
Read More
Letters to the Editor: The resignation of University President Jim Ryan
July 23, 2025Following this resignation, The Cavalier Daily has received letters from the University community which provide various perspectives on what this moment means to them and to the University’s future.
TURNER: The ‘95-5’ statistic on viewpoints diversity leaves out the majority
By Sarah Turner | June 19, 2025Political contributions are likely a weak proxy for the presence of diverse perspectives in the classroom environment.
VEGA: In defense of President Jim Ryan
By Keoni Vega | June 5, 2025Should the raucous Jefferson Council and related conservative groups succeed in their effort to oust President Ryan, the University will enter a new phase that will be unrecognizable to most of its current students and staff.
