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UGA attorneys argue appeal for affirmative action in admissions
Attorneys representing the university argued May 22 before the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta that UGA should continue its affirmative action program for undergraduate admissions “to make up for a history of discrimination.” A diverse student body improves the learning environment for everyone, according to Mark Cohen, who represents UGA and the regents.
“Diversity in higher education is a compelling state interest,” Cohen said. “The University of Georgia’s admissions plan was narrowly tailored to meet that interest.”
A three-judge panel will issue a ruling for the Court of Appeals. No timetable has been set for when the court could announce its decision.
The lawsuit was filed by three white female applicants who said they were not included in the 1999 freshman class because of their race. A federal judge ruled against the university last year, rejecting race as one of the factors used to decide admissions. While the case is pending, UGA officials are not including race in undergraduate admissions decisions. After the suit was filed, UGA admitted all three women.
Nationally, a number of lawsuits have challenged admissions policies based on race and/or gender. On May 29, the U.S. Supreme Court let stand an appeals-court ruling that found diversity to be an adequate justification for public colleges to consider race in admissions.
Jury finds for former comparative lit prof in gender-based lawsuit
A federal jury decided May 22 that former UGA comparative literature professor Linda Brooks should be compensated for gender discrimination. Brooks was awarded $453,460 in back pay after a jury deliberated in U.S. District Court in Athens for three hours following a six-day trial.
Brooks, who sued the university in 1998, claimed that in 1993 she was denied tenure and her contract was not renewed even though three similarly qualified men in her department had been awarded tenure. Specifically, Brooks claimed that the tenure committee criticized the presses she used for her research publications and the types of publications she offered, while male peers were not similarly challenged by the committee.
No decision has been made yet on whether or not the university will appeal the decision.
The verdict was the second against the university in the past seven months. A separate jury ruled this past October that UGA violated the Equal Pay Act by paying three female employees less than their male colleagues. The university, which is appealing the verdict, was ordered to pay $596,630 in back pay and damages in that case.
Provost is named to advisory committee to aid chancellor search
Karen Holbrook, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, is one of 14 people named to a statewide advisory committee to assist in the national search for a new chancellor for the University System of Georgia. The new chancellor will succeed Stephen R. Portch, who announced last month that he will step down after serving seven years.
In addition to Holbrook, the advisory committee is composed of three university system presidents, five community leaders, three university system faculty members and one university system student. The secretary to the board of regents will serve as the ex-officio member of the body. The committee will be responsible for assessing, screening and reviewing applications, and providing feedback to the regents. The full board of regents will be responsible for the identification and interviewing of candidates and finalists for the post.
In addition to the advisory committee, the board of regents has hired an executive search firm to identify candidates for the post.
“This is one of the most critical tasks in which this board will ever have to engage,” says Glenn White, who chairs the board of regents. “We take this task extremely seriously and want to move expeditiously to begin our national search process in an inclusive and comprehensive manner. Stephen Portch has significantly raised the standard of performance for this position, and we will conduct a rigorous search to ensure that the next chancellor will continue the momentum that has been achieved by him and this board over the past seven years.” |
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