Institutional Perspective

Teresa A. Sullivan, University of Texas at Austin

Many large state universities are facing a demographic bulge at the same time that they are experiencing sharply lower appropriations. The demographic bulge sharply poses many choices in creating a freshman class that is diverse, adequately prepared, and then adequately mentored. Large institutions face particular logistical issues in applying Justice O'Connor's Grutter desiderata to a large number of freshman applications. Besides logistical issues, a race-sensitive admissions policy raises additional issues with alumni, faculty, legislators, high school counselors, and the general public. This paper traces these issues in the context of the post-Hopwood experience in Texas.