<p>lol, my initial remark was quite facetious, but then the subject suddenly turned towards college. I just think that rich blacks and hispanics are quite similar to rich whites and asians and offer no diversity in thought or opinions. I admit that the system can never be perfect and fair to everyone, but I think that giving preference to those less economicalyl well-off than others provides much more diversity to a school that just basing it on race.</p>
<p>I think rather than concentrating on the university level, they need to concentrate on improving public education on the secondary school level.</p>
<p>Of course, educators ahve been talking about that for years. But we aren't spending enough money to get to improve education there. Look at what was revealed after Hurricane KAtrina and the state of schools in New Orleans. Schools need more money to hire good teachers, provide better facilites, decline the student-teacher ratio, ad a host of other problems plagueing america's public school system. I hope I don't offend anybody by saying tha instead of engaging in a war in Iraq that is costing hudreds of billions of dollars, we should be spending that money on America's youth and on education. I think the money spent on one fighter jet would pay for thousands of teacher's salries and thousands of computers.</p>
<p>Gambadent: Show me how I(a white male student) deserve a spot in the University of Chicago less than a black or Hispanic female student with similar statistics to me.</p>
<p>One of the arguments for affirmitive action is based on the GI Bill. The reason for the huge surge in college entrants is the result of the GI Bill passed in the wake of WWII. The bill allowed students who would other wise never dream of attending university (kids from more disadvantaged backgrounds) to attend university, than of course having attained a degree the expectation was set for their own students to attend university and so on and so on. Of course the implementation of this bill happened at the same time as the baby boom, so all these college kids were popping out the babies and expecting them to go to college. Well, while the act was intended to be universal, African Americans weren't allowed to benefit from it, so you never had this expectation for future generations to attend college. Now with affirmitive action, if you are getting more African American students through college, even if they perhaps haven't been as well prepared, then you're going to trigger this whole wave, where their children are expected to go to college, and so on and so on. I don't know if it's the same with the rest of you, but my parents were first generation college students and they were quite unprepared, even somewhat reluctant to attend university, but, having done so, they set a standard for future generations. For me, there was never any question of whether or not I'd go on to higher education- and there won't be for my own children. So, it sets a sort of trend- so that eventually, there will be somewhat equal competition and there won'tt be any need for such affirmitive action programs to exist
As far as affirmitive action according to income- It is taken into account (and it can be an important factor) if you are a first generation college student- as this signals that you haven't neccesarily had the same advantageous or expectations set. Speaking from personal experience, the less familiar your parents are with the system the less likely you are going to know what you "need" to get into college- sat prep, ecs, leadership etc. or afford it. </p>
<p>But, yeah, elementary education certainly needs improvement. I mean, whats going on when certain schools can't afford to pay for books and others are buying plasma screen tvs. (sad but true)></p>
<p>gambadent, you didn't answer my question - I'm white and male, yet I'm also a first-gen college student.</p>
<p>Well, I can't say. Because I don't know who you are, nor do I know that African American student. But, lets say you are statistically identical, and you wrote the same essays (somehow, you're just THAT similar), and you did all the same extras. If I was the U of C, and you were both phenomenal, I'd take you both. Haha, didn't expect that one did you? No, it's never, a case of measuring 2 applicants up and saying you deserve it, and you don't. Nor is it a case of, "oh you're black- we'll take you". I'd say the fact that you are first generation would work in your favor, just as the fact that he's black would work in his. It's a case of weighing the factors and considering the implications. </p>
<p>I have to say, I DO hate it when you 're on one of these boards, and people are fussing about how they didn't get into a school because a URM "stole" their place. THAT is ridiculous, because if they didn't chose you, there is a reason, and it's easy to blame it on affirmitive action but the fact is the whole world is bigger than you, my friends.</p>
<p>How did a simple question about sorority membership turn into a discussion on the flaws and merits of an affirmitive action system? Oh, chicago prospies! Will we never exhaust our appetite for discussion?</p>
<p>Come on someone here must have something positive to say about the chicago greek life. I don't care one way or another, but they do have frats and sororities so someone must be joining them. This is the University of Chicago people, these can't be your typical frats. I am assuming.</p>
<p>I don't go to frat parties very often (once every few weeks), but when I go they're enjoyable. More experienced party-goers will put them down, but they get the job done. However, the best parties are obviously held by Linn House in Burton Judson, typically one or two parties per quarter. Stay away from parties in Max P. Last quarter, a party in Max P. started a lot of controversy over racism in the student body. Kind of ironic, given this discussion. Okay, I exagerrate a little because their parties aren't all that bad. Still.</p>
<p>Regarding fraternities and sororities and pledging-- I don't know anybody that has pledged or is intending on pledging. Theoretically there is rushing, but I've never seen it. They put out a table during the RSO fair to attract members, the RSO fair being your opportunity to see all the EC activities on campus. AEPi and SigEp were particularly friendly to me, and if I was going to pledge to a fraternity, it would probably be one of those two.</p>
<p>I don't know which frats host which parties precisely. However, every wednesday there's a bar-night, and pretty much every weekend there's a party.</p>
<p>I still don't see what's wrong with affirmative action based on economic status. Sure, it will always be impossible to measure opportunity precisely, but I'd much rather take the kid who gets a 2100, lives in the 'hood, and works 6 hr./day while maintaining good academics than a student such as myself who is brought up in a decent household.</p>
<p>I'm for afirmative action :O/</p>