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UNL faculty host fiery debate on affirmative action

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BY MELISSA LEE / Lincoln Journal Star

Tuesday, Oct 07, 2008 - 05:59:34 pm CDT

When it was all over, University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty senators applauded politely.

But the debate they’d just hosted on a proposed ban on some forms of affirmative action — which was by turns impassioned and eyebrow-raising — prompted no shortage of head-shaking, sighing and pointed questioning.

Tuesday, four weeks before Nebraskans were to vote on the ban, the Academic Senate heard from Marc Schniederjans, the UNL professor who helped sponsor the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative, and Sen. Danielle Nantkes of Lincoln, who is fighting the ban.

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Marc Schniederjans, the UNL professor who helped sponsor the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative, and Sen. Danielle Nantkes of Lincoln, who’s fighting the ban.

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Affirmative Action Debate - 10.7.08

UNL's faculty senate hosted Prof. Marc Schniederjans and Sen. Danielle Nantkes for a debate on Nebraska's proposed ban on affirmative action. (Melissa...

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Law students to host debate

Wednesday at noon, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln student chapter of the Federalist Society will host a debate on the proposed affirmative-action ban in Room 112 of the College of Law on East Campus. The debate will feature Roger Clegg, president and general counsel of the Falls Church, Va.-based Center for Equal Opportunity; and David Kramer, campaign lawyer for Nebraskans United, which is fighting the affirmative-action ban.

Each offered sharp words.

The initiative, which would outlaw race- and gender-based affirmative action in public hiring and college admissions decisions, is an “unnecessary, unwarranted attack” on Nebraska’s Constitution, Nantkes told faculty.

Countered Schniederjans: “What we want to do is put an end to preferential treatment and discrimination.”

Then he stepped up his attack, accusing the university of hiring people who “didn’t cut it” and bribing departments to increase racial and gender diversity.

Drawing wide eyes and angry mutters, Schniederjans said NU President J.B. Milliken and UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman should “get off their butts” and make a better effort to hire quality black candidates.

“Shouldn’t we hire based on ability?” he asked.

Miles Bryant, an educational administration professor and former Academic Senate president, stood to respond.

“My experience tells me that we always sought to hire the best person,” Bryant said. “I think you’re mischaracterizing what we do.”

Added veteran physics and astronomy professor Anthony Starace: “In no case have we not hired the best person.”

Added Linda Crump, assistant to the chancellor for equity, access and diversity programs: “Every (hire) has to meet the qualifications.”

Schniederjans — who, saying he doesn’t want to embarrass colleagues, has not detailed the specific instances of alleged racial bias that led him to seek a vote on an affirmative-action ban — isn’t buying those statements.

“Either everyone has equality or no one does,” he said.

Lacking a quorum, faculty ultimately made no official statement on the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative. Other groups across NU, including the Board of Regents, have come out against the initiative, saying it will endanger programs and scholarships targeted toward women and minorities.

Nantkes, field director for the opposing group Nebraskans United, echoed those fears.

“The consequences and impacts are unknown... and I think that’s a concern,” she said.

Two Nebraskans United members have filed a lawsuit alleging initiative backers gathered tens of thousands of petition signatures fraudulently in getting the ban on the ballot. That suit is being argued in court this week.

If it’s successful, votes on the Nebraska Civil Rights Initiative won’t be tabulated.

If it fails, and voters approve the initiative, the impact could be wide-reaching, Nantkes said.

Schniederjans has called such statements scare tactics.

At one point during the debate, history professor John Wunder told Schniederjans: “I’m sorry that you seem to be so distressed over this. I would prefer you not to be.”

Schniederjans smiled.

“Me too.”

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.


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Bill wrote on October 7, 2008 7:21 pm:
" These people pushing this ban are simply using race and gender as an excuse for why they have not received promotion or tenure. It's always someone else's fault. And I'm sorry, but without affirmative action we would still have segregation in this country, particularly in Nebraska where conservatives are so backwards and set in their ways. AA is the only thing preventing strictly white males from being in EVERY supervisor and administrative position in this state. "

 Mike wrote on October 7, 2008 7:22 pm:
" I’m all about banning Affirmative Action programs if it can be shown that all individuals, regardless of ethnicity, race, or gender, can be treated equally by potential employers, etc, holding achievement/ability constant. Unfortunately, there is an overwhelming amount of empirical evidence to suggest that this is not yet the case. As a White man, I am willing to accept some of the responsibility for the past and present discriminatory treatment of women and ethnic and racial minorities. Why should they have to carry the burden alone… they are no more or less responsible for the cards they have been dealt, as a matter of birth (e.g., membership in a socially devalued group), then I am. What happened to good old fashioned moral values? Place your faith in God and do what you can to help, which includes helping to carry the burden that is neither “our” nor “their” fault. "

 Harry the Antenna Guy wrote on October 7, 2008 10:11 pm:
" Well, I am not accepting responsibility for what past generations have done. I didn't do it and I'll be darned if I am going to suffer reverse descrimination because it is someone's crazy idea to promote equity. Descrimination was wrong for past generations and it is wrong for this current generation. Affirmative action is WRONG because reverse descrimination is wrong. Any form of descrimination is wrong. "

 joe wrote on October 7, 2008 10:18 pm:
" It always worries me when groups will not let the people vote on an issue.
God forbid we let democracy work. "

 Working two jobs wrote on October 8, 2008 9:33 am:
" When women and minorities make dollar for dollar what white men make in their chosen fields, then I would say Affirmative Action isn't necessary. We aren't even close to that yet. "

 Enough said wrote on October 8, 2008 10:40 am:
" The Nebraska Republican Party at their state convention this summer approved a resolution supporting this constitutional ballot initiative ending preferences. That sealed the deal for me. "

 Steve wrote on October 8, 2008 11:57 am:
" Miles Bryant is wrong. UNL has been discriminating in faculty hiring for years. During 1998-2004, there were 45 women and minorities hired on the basis of sex and/or race; white males were not allowed to apply. The law school grossly discriminates in admissions on the basis of race. The university fully intends to continue those policies - see the Faculty Senate executive committee minutes for September 12, 2007. "

 rac wrote on October 8, 2008 12:28 pm:
" I'm a conservative White man, and, unlike others, I don't have closeted guilt feelings for discrimination in the past conducted by OTHERS. This reminds me of that stupid resolution in the legislature to apologize for slavery. Take your guilt feelings and form a support group or something. I'm voting yes, as will most Nebraskans. "

 your bias is showing wrote on October 8, 2008 4:13 pm:
" Guilt.... humanitarian values.... good Christian morals.... call it what you will, Mr. guiltless. Would you also like to argue that we are not privileged within this society simply because of the color of our skin? There is consistent empirical evidence that bias exists towards women and ethnic minorities. I'm happy that you feel no guilt... but your bias is showing. Emotions make us human and empathy make us good people... so, are you not human or just not a good person? "

 insulted asian man wrote on October 9, 2008 9:58 am:
" I am an Asian male. Right now, I am feeling weird. Was I a minority hire at UNL? Not sure. I would not feel this way in CA, MA or NY, but it's NE. I went to the best Ph.D. program in my area in the U.S. (if not in the world) and have academically achieved enough to attract offers from schools in many parts of the country. Nevertheless, I came and decided to stay for a while because I thought I could have a peaceful life with my wife and children. (Initially there was curiosity as well.) Reading the article, I felt very insulted. Probably, it's time to move on. Probably, I should go to places where Asian males are not considered minorities. Sad to leave this somewhat boring yet peaceful town, but I don't want to be treated as a minority hire. In addition, I sincerely believe I am a better teacher and scholar in my department.

By the way, I fully support Affirmative Action programs. You can think about banning if you truely believe this society gives a same chance and/or right to those ethic minorities and women. "

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