University of California's Diversity Policies and Practices: A Color Blindness Analysis and Critique

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Fostering Equity Through Federal, State, and Institutional Policies

Abstract

As diversity expands and enriches the educational field through the benefits to individual students, it is critical for universities to build diverse environments that provide students with a sense of belonging, resources, and services on campuses (Hurtado, 2007). Universities usually use diversity policies as a primary means to implement their goals and commitment to an inclusive and equitable campus community and environment (Iverson, 2005). This research focus on the University of California (UC)’s diversity policies to examine how underrepresented students and racial minorities are shaped and represented in the university campus culture and practice. Using Bonilla-Silva’s (2013) concept of color-blindness, this study analysis UC diversity policy with aims to understand how racial inequality is (re)produced through educational policies.

Author

• Yi Zhou, University of California - Riverside