🚀 go-pugleaf

[Do not be fooled by this smoke and mirrors Bush plan. The new plan
would allow the top 20% of ALL schools, even the worse Black schools
with the worse educational standards. No SAT tests needed. Just go to
a Black school and get a good grade with no requirements and you're
in.]

End to Affirmative Action Urged

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- After hours of debate and protests from
students and black leaders Friday, Florida's Board of Regents endorsed
Gov. Jeb Bush's plan to end affirmative action in admissions at the
state's 10 public universities.

``Right now, we have a lot of questions,'' said Cornelius Minor II, a
Florida A&M student who urged regents to delay action. ``I urge you to
search for solutions that are good for Florida and good for the
students.''

The endorsement, by an 11-3 vote, allows system Chancellor Adam
Herbert to draft proposals to implement Bush's plan in advance of a
final vote by regents in January. The Florida Cabinet, whose members
are elected independent of the governor, must approve the plan before
it can be implemented.

``The Board of Regents took a bold step today by embracing the One
Florida education initiatives, including the Talented 20 program, and
the elimination of race and ethnicity as a factor in admissions
decisions,'' Bush said.

Herbert had asked for an immediate vote, saying the program should
take effect before the admissions period for the fall 2000 semester.
To delay, he said, would prevent some of the students eligible under
Bush's plan from attending a Florida university.

``This is a transforming program for the state of Florida,'' said
Herbert. ``This comprehensive approach reaffirms Florida's commitment
to diversity.''

Bush's plan prohibits using race as a factor in college admissions,
but it guarantees admission to a state university to the top one-fifth
of every high school class and contains other measures to preserve
diversity.

The board heard comments from state and federal lawmakers and dozens
of students from the University of Florida, Florida State University
and Florida A&M -- all asking the regents to delay action. Many
carried hand-lettered signs opposing the plan.

``There is no widespread awareness. There are too many questions,''
said Kimberly Fedele, FSU student body president. ``We are asking for
student input on the decisions that are made.''

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