| This dissertation is a mixed-methods analysis of the impact of anti-affirmative action ballot initiatives approved by voters in three states: California, Washington, and Michigan. Using a theoretical framework based on deliberative democratic theory and frame analysis theory, I examine the impact the initiatives have had on students, institutions, and within the legal system. I argue that the key to understanding this impact lies in the ways in which the policy is framed. I use three modes of analysis to approach this issue: descriptive statistical analysis, document analysis, and frame analysis. Results indicate that the enrollment of URM students at most institutions of higher education in these three states has declined, particularly in relation to rising rates of URMs among high school graduates. Further, institutions have implemented numerous and varied programs designed to mitigate the negative effect the initiatives have on campus diversity, including expanding recruitment and outreach programs, soliciting private scholarships, instituting new holistic admissions processes, and expanding eligibility requirements. The spread of the initiatives has not deterred institutions from seeking out a diverse student body; on the contrary, institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to diversity since the initiatives' passage. In addition to these findings, I also identified two dominant frames that shape common understandings of anti-affirmative action initiatives: the individual rights frame and the community empowerment frame. Each frame interprets the findings differently, but the community empowerment frame holds more promise for deliberative democratic policymaking. Ultimately, the data suggest that underrepresented minority students are losing valuable educational opportunities as a result of these initiatives, especially because the impact is greatest at the most selective institutions. I conclude with a set of recommendations for future research and suggestions for researchers interested in continuing this dialogue. |
