More Rigorous Admissions Standards at Nevada Universities May Affect Minorities
NAACP and ACLU officials warn that with the University of Nevada,
Las Vegas, and the University of Nevada, Reno,
increasing their minimum grade point average from 2.75 to 3.0,
minority students may be discouraged from pursuing a higher
education, according to an Associated Press article (“NAACP,
ACLU Concerned About Tougher Admission Standards at Nevada
Universities,” June 15, 2008).
Citing a report that showed a drop in enrollment among minority
students the last time these schools raised their minimum GPA
requirements, the two organizations have expressed concerned that
this move may have a disproportional impact on minority students.
In 2006, the two universities increased the minimum GPA requirement
from 2.5 to 2.75, which resulted in a 22-percent decrease in black
student enrollment and a 50-percent drop in Native American and
native Alaskan students at UNLV for that year, according to another
Associated Press article (“Freshmen Enrollment Dips at
Nevada Universities,” June 14, 2008). That same year, University
of Nevada, Reno experienced a 10.6-percent decrease in Hispanic
student enrollment.
University administrators claim that those students who meet the
new, more rigorous standards will be better able to succeed in the
classroom. High school students seeking admission to UNLV or the
University of Nevada, Reno with low GPAs, will be able to apply with
their SAT or ACT scores instead of their grades.
Students denied admission due to low GPAs may improve their academic
performance at a state or community college prior to attending one
of the two state universities.
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