this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2023
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They're swinging a broadsword at, if there is a problem to be solved (not established in this article), you would want a scalpel. We can hopefully all agree it's bad to check someone's skin color during admissions (which, again, I have no evidence they're doing - I'm just trying to come up with a problem that could theoretically exist). That doesn't mean you cut the funding to things like ensuring all your buildings have wheelchair ramps! There's just no possible world here where their actions have a genuine purpose.
Here's what I think they're trying to do: They're attempting to drive a wedge into the UW workforce, to make us blame the loss of pay raises on DEI programs, so we'll turn against them. That's exactly what terrorists do by trying to get the population to blame the violence on their government's policies. And if it works, they'll do it again and again. That's why we have to draw the line here.
For what it's worth, the DEI programs in the department that I work for focus on recruitment and retention; they're not connected to admissions. We try to make it a welcoming place for minorities, first-generation students, and the economically disadvantaged, so that they'll apply, and once admitted, have the support that they need to finish their program. Dropping out is a big problem among these folks.
I really like that approach, but it seems we don't hear about this stuff at all. Is there anything your department can do to be a bit more vocal, that not all of these programs are contrary to purely merit based admissions?
I'm not sure what we could do, since most of the DEI programs on campus are of a similar nature. The media just doesn't cover them, because it's controversy and outrage that gets views.
Yeah... and it's not like people are seeing reason, these days.