SUBJECT:

Peltason's Statement re Regents' 7/20 Resolution

STATEMENT ON THE REGENTS' JULY 20TH RESOLUTIONS ON ADMISSIONS
AND EMPLOYMENT AND CONTRACTING

President J. W. Peltason
July 24, 1995

I would like to clarify a few points about the two resolutions
adopted by The Regents at their meeting last Thursday, July 20.
These resolutions prohibit the use of race, religion, sex, color,
ethnicity, or national origin as criteria for admission to the
University or in its employment and contracting practices,
effective in January of 1997 for admissions and in January of
1996 for employment and contracting.

Obviously, we will comply with the resolutions approved by the
Board. It is important to make clear at the outset, however, that
they have to do with means, not with goals. As the resolutions
adopted by The Regents explicitly recognize, our goal as a
university remains what it has long been, which is to reflect within
our community California's diverse population. We are committed to
diversity as both a powerful tool in educating our students for the
world in which they must make their personal and professional lives,
and as an essential way of meeting our responsibility to prepare
future leaders for California's diverse society. To this end, we
will acclerate our outreach efforts.

It is also important to note that the resolutions contemplate
that no changes will be made in contracting and employment until
January 1996, and in admissions until January 1997. This
provides us with ample time for appropriate consultation and
orderly planning.

In the meantime, I am taking the following actions:

We are looking into what effect the resolution on contracting
and employment will have on the University's programs. Few
significant changes are likely, however, because UC's
employment and contracting programs are governed by State and
federal laws, regulations, executive orders, and the U. S.
Constitution, and our practices historically have been and will
continue to be in compliance with these various laws and
requirements. Further, the resolution adopted by The Regents
explicitly stipulates that the University will continue to
comply with any federal or State requirements necessary to
maintain our eligibility for federal and State funds.

I intend to begin immediately the process of working with the
Chancellors and the faculty to determine how we can make the
changes called for by the Board's action with respect to
undergraduate, graduate, and professional admissions, the area
in which we expect the most change to result from adoption of
The Regents' resolutions. Since the resolution on admissions
requires no change until January of 1997, we therefore have 18
months in which to work out how we will implement the
resolution.

In consultation with the Chairman of the Board, I will also
take prompt action, as called for in the resolution on
admissions, to appoint a task force representing the
University, the business community, students, other education
segments, and other organizations engaged in helping
underrepresented minority and other students prepare for a
college or university education. The purpose of this task
force is to determine new directions in academic outreach and
to seek expanded funding for outreach efforts. This is a
welcome step, and the task force will be organized soon so it
can begin its work.

The only changes to be made now, either in employment and
contracting or in admissions, are those I announced in the
statement sent to The Regents on July 10. In brief, these
changes are:

UCLA and Berkeley will institute a more comprehensive review
of undergraduate applicants' background and qualifications.

UC Davis and UC Irvine have discontinued the practice of
granting admission to all eligible underrepresented students
who apply.

We have modified the Target of Opportunity Program so that,
first, it will no longer be used to reserve faculty positions
solely for the hiring of underrepresented minority and women
faculty, as has been the case on some campuses. Second, a
search can be waived to hire any faculty members whose presence
would significantly enhance the quality of the faculty.

We have taken action to ensure that all of our Management
Fellowships and similar development programs are not restricted
to women or minority applicants but are open to all staff.

And I have asked the University's General Counsel, James E.
Holst, to assess all of our business activities in light of the
recent Supreme Court decision and the Board's resolution, and
to come back with specific recommendations if in his judgment
any of them need to be modified.

The Chancellors, the Vice Presidents and other University
Officers, and I will be working together in the months ahead to
make the necessary changes in our programs and to seek new ways
to strengthen the University's diversity. I will keep the
University community, The Regents, and the public informed about
our progress.