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Show THE SIGNPOST Monday, January 22, 1990 quai opportunity: Does it work? 2 in ALAN GAMBLETHE SIGNPOST ... By Necia Palmer Signature editor of The Signpost A definition of affirmative action and its appropriate application was debated during the Issues P o Dr. Dally Oliver debate effectiveness of equal opportunity programs DONT PAY RETAIL FOR DIAMOND JEWELRY! BUY YOUR DIAMOND BY APPOINTMENT. 600 REMOUNTS, EARRINGS, PENDANTS, & CHAINS IN STOCK 12 ct. Diamond $325 13 ct. Diamond $225 14 ct. Diamond $75 Solitaire Ring $70 S ijuaraniee If your diamond does not appraise in writing (within 30 days of purchase) for atTeast 66 more than your purchase price, your money will be refunded. K : ( Dwimond Iri'.oipora Your Future's Beginning 533 26th 627-3773 Bob Kolar Diamond Brokar rum Thursday by Barry Gomberg, Affirmative Action lawyer for Weber State College and Dr. Daily Oliver, coordinator of WSC's B I S program . They presented the case of Ben and Benita, two applicants for an opening at the University of Utah's Medical School. The history of each applican was presented. Then Gomberg defended the case of Benita, and Oliver argued for Ben. Benita grew up in a poorer socio-economic situation than Ben. Ben was tutored for everything from sports to math to music, even though he was a good student. Benita's youth was spent in front of the television. While Ben succeeded in high r school, Benita fell behind and dropped out but eventually got her GED. Ben graduated from Duke University with a 3.7 grade point average. It took Benita nine years to graduate from Weber State College with a 3.4 grade point average. Benita was identified as hispanic. Ben was identified as black American. Both cases were developed and presented to the audience for their verdict. It was a stalemate, 13-13. They were asked to share the opinions behind their decisions. They felt this was Benita's only chance to be accepted to medical school. As for Ben, his father had pulled strings before and could again to insure Ben's admittance to other medical schools. Credit was given Benita for getting where she was on her own merit. Also, because of her background, Benita could be more sensitive to the needs of her patients, especially those who couldn't always afford medical care. Those who supported Ben felt he should be admitted on the basis of his higher qualifications. They felt he had a background in math that Benita probably didn't. She graduated before math competency was implemented at WSC, and her high school background was lacking. Another argument for Ben was that he was being discriminated against because of his socio-economic background. Gomberg said the purpose of affirmative action is to give institutions the opportunity to enroll qualified students from a variety of backgrounds. This emphasized Oliver's idea that there are differences between all people. It shouldn't be, for example, Benita's goal to be like Ben or vice versa. Differences are desirable and can be capitalized upon for the benefit of everyone. Those institutions who tie their enrollment to filling quotas to meet affirmative action, demean the applicants accepted. Gomberg said if a university wants to assure diversity in each class for the benefit of their students, they will put forth the effort to have a variety of race, gender and people from geographically different areas. That's affirmative action. ; 5 z ! O a) m - o . i t ci i ' I .- t: " '--4 " ' j WSC EEO officer Barry Gomberg argues for equal opportunrty LAUNCH (continued from page 1) forest activity lightning and thunderstorms are irregular in the area from which the launch was to take place. The frustration and sadness on the faces of the now silent crowd deepened as they listened intently to the radio report the temporary fate of the rocket. Due to the fact that the window opens on a daily basis, the launch was tentatively re-scheduled for Sunday. 7 ( BIRTHDAY ( v PARTY !! ) 7 . Y J JANUARY 27, l&o j J 8pm -12am ' UNION ( p O V y BUILDING O f VcOST: $5 ( ' O O W perperson s - 5 j COME AS YOU ARE OR YOUR FAVORITE STAR Correction The Signpost wishes to correct mistakes made in the obituary of Jerome (Jerry) Bernstein which appeared in the Jan. 19 edition. First: Dr. Gene Sessions, not Gene Simmons, helped us in gathering the information for this article. We thank you for your assistance in calling our attention to the errors. Second: Bernstein was not a five-time champion of Jeopardy but could have been, due to his knowledge of encyclopedias. Third: There will be no memorial service for Bernstein, Feb. 1, in the social science bldg., rm 212, at 10:30 a.m., during open hour. There will be a professional tribute to his work as a teacher and a scholar at that time. Fourth: Bernstein did graduate work at Washington State University. He did not receive his doctorate there. His daughter's name is Justina, not Justin. The Signpost would again like to offer its condolences to the Bernstein family. |