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Affirmative Action Transcript

Tonight we had an engaging conversation about Affirmative Action and the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case of Abigail Fisher, a white woman, who is suing the University of Texas for denying her admission based in part on race.

We discussed the following questions:

What is the biggest misconception about Affirmative Action in the College Admissions process?

Why is this case significant?

What will happen if the Supreme Court sides with the plaintiff and strikes Affirmative Action down? What will be the immediate effect?

Should the Supreme Court have the power to determine how students are admitted into a college or university? Why or why not?

If Affirmative Action is struck down, how about admitting students based on legacy?  Gender?  Special skills and athleticism?

The entire transcript is available. Affirmative Action Transcript #CollegeChat 2/28/12

#CollegeChat: Is Affirmative Action on the Chopping Block?

Supreme Court of the United States

#CollegeChat “Hot Topics” is back February 28, 2012 at 9 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Pacific. During “Hot Topics” we will be discussing the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to revisit affirmative action. Specifically, the Court will consider the case of Abigail Fisher, a white woman, who is suing the University of Texas for denying her admission based in part on race.

In Adam Cohen’s article for Time Is the Supreme Court Going to Kill Affirmative Actionhe writes:

There are several reasons to believe this could be a Big Case. Affirmative-action critics are certainly talking that way. Ward Connerly, president of the American Civil Rights Institute, called the decision to take the case a “potentially historic step.” And it looks like there are at least four Justices ready to take bold action. But there is also reason to believe the court will stop short — weakening affirmative action but not ending it.

Furthermore, Cohen, a teacher at Yale Law School, argues:

If the Supreme Court strikes down UT’s admissions system, other public schools will have to re-evaluate their admissions policies — and other institutions, from private schools to employers, will likely rethink how they consider race. Affirmative action will not disappear overnight, but the Supreme Court’s conservative bloc appears to be intent on reducing the role it plays in university admissions — and other parts of society.

Finally, Scott Jaschik reported for Inside Higher Education in “Affirmative Action on the Docket”:

And the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., the civil rights leader, issued a statement noting the many disparities in American today that place black and Latino citizens at a disadvantage. “So long as these disparities exist, race must continue to be a one of several standards applied and taken into consideration in the pursuit of higher education,” he said. “Along with race, poverty, grades, ability to think and pay tuition, special skills and legacy – even military status – all of these ‘categories’ are taken into consideration during the college admissions process. So too should race and gender.”

New to Twitter?

In order to participate in the chat, attendees will need to have a Twitter account.  To sign up for a Twitter account, go to http:// twitter.com. The easiest way to follow the chat is to use TweetChat (http://tweetchat.com). Simply log in to TweetChat with your Twitter information (email or username followed by password) and then enter in CollegeChat without the “#” and you will be placed into the chat room with only those participating in #CollegeChat. More detailed information about signing up for Twitter and using TweetChat can be found at http://pathwaypr.com/how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat .

About #CollegeChat

#CollegeChat is a live bi-monthly conversation intended for teens, college students, parents, and higher education experts on Twitter. Questions for each #CollegeChat edition can be sent to Theresa Smith, the moderator of #CollegeChat via http://Twitter.com/collegechat, by entering questions online on the CollegeChat Facebook page at http://ht.ly/1XIqV , or by email. CollegeChat can also be found on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/collegechat.

 

 

State of the Social Management Systems

Summer Enrichment Tips for High School Students Transcript

Tonight we had a very lively discussion during #CollegeChat led by Mark Babbitt, the founder of YouTern, and Jessica Hertz, the manager of online services for University Language Services. We had numerous questions, answers and suggestions  from both our panelists and attendees. Below please find the 31 page transcript!

summerenrichmenttranscription

 

College and Internship Experts to Discuss Summer Enrichment Tips for High School Students on #CollegeChat February 7

The Sun at Solstice

Although summer is officially more than four months away, many teens and their families are beginning to consider how to spend their summers.  Mark Babbitt, CEO YouTern, and Jessica Hertz, Manager of Online Services, University Language Services, will discuss with Twitter attendees summer enrichment tips for high school students during #CollegeChat February 7, 2012 at 9 p.m. ET.

During #CollegeChat, Babbitt and Hertz will describe what types of summer opportunities teens can participate in including:

  • Low cost summer enrichment programs
  • Internships
  • Volunteering
  • High school summer school
  • Online learning
  • Community college classes
  • Four year college and university summer classes

Mark Babbitt is the founder and CEO of YouTern, a community dedicated to matching the best young talent to leading organizations including startups through internships. A passionate supporter of Gen Y talent, Mark is a serial entrepreneur and mentor. Mark has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Mashable, Forbes and Under30CEO regarding internships, higher education’s role in preparing emerging talent for the workforce and career development. Recently, Mark was honored to be named to GenJuice’s list of “Top 100 Most Desirable Mentors”.

Jessica Hertz has been working at University Language Services since she graduated from college five years ago. University Language Services helps students and applicants make the most of their college experience, from application to graduation. Free online guides and the ULS blog, Campus Commons, give students in-depth information to help them determine where to apply to college, how to get accepted and what to do to succeed. University Languages comprehensive services for students also include SAT prep and professional resume writing for internships and jobs.

About #CollegeChat

#CollegeChat is a live bi-monthly conversation intended for teens, college students, parents, and higher education experts on Twitter. #CollegeChat takes place on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. PT/ 9 p.m. ET. Questions for each #CollegeChat edition can be sent to Theresa Smith, the moderator of #CollegeChat via http://Twitter.com/collegechat , by entering questions online on the CollegeChat Facebook page at http://ht.ly/1XIqV , or by email. More detailed information about signing up for Twitter and participating in #Collegechat can be found at http://pathwaypr.com/how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat .