THE PARAMETERS OF AFFIRMATIVE-ACTION - EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE IN THE ACADEMY

This article provides a historical, philosophical, and theoretical ana lysis of affirmative action in higher education. It begins with the hi storical basis for affirmative action and the rationale for why it has been needed. The author outlines the philosophy behind affirmative ac tion and its legal ramifications. The article then evaluates the succe ss of affirmative action, outlines the criticisms that have been made of it, and considers alternatives. It is argued that affirmative actio n goes to the heart of what we mean by public higher education and wha t we mean by ''merit.'' Although the policy has not succeeded in creat ing dramatic improvements, it has been consistent with basic assumptio ns about the meaning of academic community.