The University of Maryland at College Park views the Supreme Court decision to leave intact the Appeals Court's ruling in the Hopwood case with grave concern. The patterns emerging over the past year -- in Texas, in California, and with the court-mandat ed dismantling of this university's Banneker Scholarships -- all point toward an alarming level of successful challenges to long-standing affirmative action programs and practices.

   Our institution is a microcosm of America. To ignore that fact would put us out of touch with reality. Therefore, we at the University of Maryland are unwavering in our commitment to use enlightened affirmative action programs to enhance the educational quality of our institution. These programs have helped us become a stronger university by enriching the quality of our interactions and curriculum.

   As the courts continue to consider one of today's most pressing societal issues, we ask that our justices not take the easy way out by eliminating affirmative action efforts wholesale. The more difficult, but right, course is to judge each program on its merits, dismantling or modifying those that do not measure up, and continuing and even encouraging those that do.

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