William Bowen to speak on race in admissions

ANN ARBOR—William G. Bowen, former president of Princeton University and co-author of the new book “The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions,” will speak at 4 p.m. Nov. 12, in Room 1800 of the Chemistry Building on the University of Michigan Central Campus. A reception will follow at 6 p.m. in the Vandenberg Room of the Michigan League.

Written with former Harvard University President Derek Bok, “The Shape of the River” has been called by the Chronicle of Higher Education perhaps the most comprehensive look ever at how students have benefited both during and after college from the use of race as a factor in selective admissions. The book is based on an extensive study of 45,000 students who entered 28 selective colleges in either the fall of 1976 or 1989. It shows that race-sensitive admissions policies have achieved institutional goals of providing promising careers for African American students and promoting positive interactions among races on campus.

U-M Associate Provost Lester Monts said, “‘The Shape of the River’ is a seminal work that provides compelling data regarding the value of diversity in higher education—for all students. Diversity is critical not only for students’ intellectual life on campus, but also in preparing them to assume leadership and service roles in society.”

Bowen’s talk is sponsored by Dialogues on Diversity, a University-wide initiative which encourages all members of the University community—students, faculty, staff and alumni—to explore diversity in all its forms, find out what being part of a diverse community means, consider the perspectives of others and to let others know what they think. Its objective is to enrich campus discussion and facilitate honest dialogue concerning the broad range of topics relating to diversity.

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The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University AdmissionsChronicle of Higher EducationLester MontsDialogues on DiversityU-M News and Information ServicesUniversity of Michigan