Rubén Hinojosa: “I strongly oppose the Riggs amendment. The elimination of affirmative action programs in California had a devastating…”

“I strongly oppose the Riggs amendment. The elimination of affirmative action programs in California had a devastating effect on new minority student enrollment in the University of California's graduate and professional school programs in 1997. Equally devastating was the effect on the enrollment of the two flagship universities in my own State of Texas. Affirmative action policies have enabled colleges and universities to champion access and equal opportunity for a postsecondary experience for a generation of students. Achieving diversity on college campuses does not require quotas, nor does diversity warrant admission of unqualified applicants. However, the diversity colleges seek does require that colleges and universities continue to be able to reach out and make a conscious effort to build healthy and diverse learning environments appropriate for their missions and communities. The Nation cannot afford a citizenry unequipped to participate in the educational, social, political, cultural and economical processes of society. Until equity for all students is reached, these opportunities created through affirmative action must continue. It is vital that the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act ensure access to postsecondary education for qualified applicants. The Riggs amendment would effectively shut the doors of higher education to large numbers of minority students.”