Discussion on Preferences

[Tmy]

What do people think of other preferences such as extra points for veterans in civil service exams or admissions, or preferences for athletic prowess, instate residents, legacies and so on. These preferences never seem to generate any controversy.

A big argument against AA is that the “best qualified” should get the slots. Wouldn’t that argument also call into question these other preferences.

[subgenius]

Originally posted by Tmy
What do people think of other preferences such as extra points for veterans in civil service exams or admissions, or preferences for athletic prowess, instate residents, legacies and so on. These preferences never seem to generate any controversy.

A big argument against AA is that the “best qualified” should get the slots. Wouldn’t that argument also call into question these other preferences.
Yes.

[Tmy]

Originally posted by subgenius

Yes.

OK discussion over!!

Who wants to join me in my "Down with disabled war widow preferences" march on Washington?

[ZeeGerman]

Originally posted by Tmy


OK discussion over!!

Who wants to join me in my "Down with disabled war widow preferences" march on Washington?

You pay the air fare, I bring a banner.

Zee

[subgenius]

I thought this was going to be a thread about sexual preferences.
"I'm bi-sexual because it doubles my chances of getting a date for the weekend."--Woody Allen

[Thanz]

I'll take these one at a time...

Originally posted by Tmy
What do people think of other preferences such as extra points for veterans in civil service exams or admissions,
I'm not sure what these are, but I'd guess that the idea is that veterans should get extra credit for already doing the ultimate "civil service".
or preferences for athletic prowess,
I assume you mean athletic scholarships. I think they suck, but college sports in the US generates a huge amount of cash for the schools, so there may be an economic argument in favour of the school.

instate residents,
Do colleges get state funding in the US? If so, I'd say this makes sense - instate residents pay the tax, they should get the benefit.

legacies and so on.
Legacies like "my dad went to yale, so I can too"? Yes, those should be done away with.

These preferences never seem to generate any controversy.

A big argument against AA is that the “best qualified” should get the slots. Wouldn’t that argument also call into question these other preferences.
I think you need to examine the "why" for each preference on its own. I don't think that sports scholarships have anything to do with AA, and I don't think they can really be compared.

[Tmy]

Originally posted by Thanz

I think you need to examine the "why" for each preference on its own. I don't think that sports scholarships have anything to do with AA, and I don't think they can really be compared. [/B]

Not just scholarships. Athletes can be accepted even if their scores and such are below par.

I think these things can be compared to AA. They fly under the radar while AA brings up a firestrom.

You know why all the focus on AA? Cause the white man hates to see the brotherman get a leg up!!!!

(eeeep I said it. now I await the wrath!)

[Thumper]

All schools are trying to build alumni relations now; it is a great source of donations. That's one reason behind legacy admissions: the child got in, so the parent will be happier to send some extra cash for new renovations, etc.

[Dancing David]

Stop being rational, these are exactly the kinds of privilege that AA is meant to counter. But they aren't race based so they aren't racist!