78-03-B7
- Main Page \ Reagan Radio Commentaries \ 1978
| << Previous Broadcast | Next Broadcast >> |
Contents
Bakke
TranscriptThere is a case now on appeal before the Supreme Court known as the "Bakke Case". You have heard of it, I'm sure, and probably know something of what it's about. It has caused controversy and even resulted in demonstrations on some college campuses. Not the violent hassles we had so many of back in the 60's, but demonstrations nonetheless. Because the issue is one which arouses anger in some mention of the name "Bakke" (as if he is somehow a bigot working against the effort to redress ancient wrongs), I thought I'd provide some information that isn't generally known. There was a time when various professional schools were virtually out of bounds for the economically disadvantaged and this of course included many minorities. It was not necessarily a reflection of prejudice, it was just that entrance standards were so high a great many young people from poor backgrounds couldn't meet those requirements. In view of this there have been efforts to see that each entering class includes a certain percentage of those who were heretofore excluded. At the University of California Medical school in Davis this effort resulted in what can only be called a "quota" system even though quota is a very unpopular term. At any rate, 16 entrants were permitted each year in the school of medicine whose scores were below the normal requirement. Allan Bakke is a Vietnam veteran who first applied at Davis in 1973. He is now suing the University of California on the grounds that his constitutional rights were violated. This is the case that is now on appeal before the United States Supreme Court. The whole story however makes it pretty evident that Mr. Bakke is not an impulsive troublemaker or sorehead. Aspiring medical students take four preliminary tests estimating their verbal skills, quantitive skills, scientific skills, and general knowledge. In 1973 the average grades in those four tests for the regularly accepted applicants were 81, 76, 83, and 69 respectively. The special entrants scored 46, 24, 35, and 33. Bakke scored 96, 94, 97, and 72. He waited a year without complaint and tried again in 1974. The average this time was 69, 67, 82, and 72. For the quota students the average was 34, 30, 37, and 18. Bakke scored 96, 94, 97, and 72, the very same high marks he had made in 1973. But again he was passed by. The cumulative total for the regular entrants was 309 and the special group 138 in 1973. Bakke's total was 359. In 1974 the accepted groups scored respectively, 290 and 119. Again Bakke scored 359. It was then--after two attempts--that he filed the suit now pending before the court. I believe it is right that we have a program to ensure equal opportunity for those aspiring to a profession. But surely we can come up with something that doesn't result in the kind of injustice done to Alan Bakke. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
Details
| |||||||||||
Added Notes |
