Tony Buffa wondered if Prop 209 and other such laws would have an
impact on the recruitment of student-athletes, since it would appear
to mandate that only academic qualifications can be used to determine
admission.
 
        First, these anti-affirmative action regulations are specific in
saying that admission preferences cannot be extended to persons based
on race (and sooner or later some court will extend that to gender as
well). Hockey players and other athletes are not a protected class in
that sense, so affirmative action is not really an issue.
 
        Beyond that, however, is a mis-assumption about the criteria
colleges use to admit students.  Academic quality is obviously the
premier qualification -- but most all schools also look for TALENT,
and talent is a traditional and valid criterion for any educational
institution.  Thus athletic talent can legitimately be used to make
an admission decision.  Colleges also recruit students -- and provide
scholarship dollars -- for their talents in art, music, writing,
leadership and other endeavors.
 
        Finding talented young people (especially hockey players!) is an
integral part of higher education's mission, and is not likely to be
blunted by Prop 209.
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Dr. Stephen E. Roth              [log in to unmask]
Dean of Student Services
Canisius College                    (716) 888-2522
Buffalo, New York 14208         FAX (716) 888-3190
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