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Data from a national survey of colleges and universities were used to examine the educational benefits associated with having a racially diverse student population. Responses from over 11,680 students attending over 370 four-year institutions were analyzed in this study. The results indicated that a racially diverse student body has a positive effect on educational outcomes through its effects on diversityoriented student activities and experiences. The need to understand the benefits of racial diversity within the context of institutional commitment to optimize racial encounters is discussed
The debate over affirmative action has endured since the inception of efforts to systematically open the doors of education for members of groups that have experienced long-standing and persistent discrimination (Synott, 1979; Takagi, 1992; Tierney, 1997). More recently, the controversy specifically regarding the consideration of an applicant's race as one of many factors in making admissions decisions has come under intense criticism and scrutiny.
The legality of this widespread admissions practice to recruit and retain students rests largely on the ruling of Regents of the University of California v. Bakke [438 U.S. 265, 98 S.Ct. 2733, 57 L.Ed.2d 750 (1978)]. In this case, the Court rejected means for achieving diversity, but also ruled that to consider race or ethnic background as a factor in the admissions process is permissible. Specifically, Justice Powell held that securing the educational benefits that flow from a racially and ethnically diverse student body in higher education is a compelling interest that can constitutionally support race-based actions. Although this opinion still remains the law of the land, recent legal rulings, however, have weakened this position. For example, in Hopwood v. State of Texas [861 F.Supp. 551 (W.D. Tex. 1994), aff'd, 21 F.3d. 603 (Sth Cir. 1994)], the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals held unconstitutional the affirmative action admissions program at the University of Texas School of Law, rejecting the notion that promoting diversity is a compelling educational interest.
To understand better the potential educational benefits associated with having a racially diverse environment, the author investigated the impact of a racially mixed student population on students' educational experiences. This study builds on previous research of the effects of diversity-oriented activities and experiences on an array of educational outcomes that include academic success, general and specific cognitive...