ACE and Affirmative Action

Statement Reaffirming Support for Affirmative Action and Diversity Adopted by the Board of Directors for the American Council on Education

May 29, 1997

The American Council on Education has a long history of support for expanded access to higher education and efforts by colleges and universities to ensure diversity in their student populations and their faculty and staff. That support was affirmed in the "Statement on Affirmative Action and Diversity" approved by the Board of Directors on May 25, 1995.

Numerous higher education associations have expressed support for diversity and the use of affirmative action in admissions and employment. Several have undertaken activities designed to educate the public and policy makers about the tools used by colleges and universities to expand access and ensure equity and inclusiveness. The American Association of Community Colleges, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the Association of American Universities recently issued strong and useful statements on this issue.

The Board of Directors of the American Council on Education recognizes and endorses the statements and positions adopted by these associations. The Board reaffirms its support for the use of affirmative action in employment and admissions as part of the effort to achieve diversity and quality in American higher education.

| Making the Case for Affirmative Action | Threats to Affirmative Action |
| Affirmative Action Works | Answering the Critics | Legal Issues |
| What You Can Do | ACE and Affirmative Action |
| Acknowledgments |

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Last Modified: May 22, 2002