(KINGSVILLE, February 14, 1997) -- Texas A&M University-Kingsville Psychology and Sociology Professor Dr. Rosario Torres Raines was one of 16 sociologists who served on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Advisory Committee on Criteria for Diversity.

The committee was created in the wake of the Hopwood decision which prohibited Texas public institutions of higher education from using race or ethnicity as a basis for offering preferential admissions or other educational benefits to students. Torres Raines and fellow committee members were charged with developing other criteria that might be used by colleges and universities and the Coordinating Board to achieve admissions diversity in higher education. They explored both quantitative and qualitative factors to complete a comprehensive description and analysis of the educational needs of cultural minorities.

Torres Raines' component dealt with qualitative factors and looked at problems existing prior to and after Hopwood.

The committee's final conclusions and recommendations were presented Jan. 15 to the Coordinating Board Committee on Access and Equity for review.

Hypothesized criteria derived from committee discussions included socioeconomic background, first-generation college status, bilingual proficiency, financial status of the student's school district and region of residence within Texas.

Torres Raines is available for interviews and can be reached at (512) 593-2369.

-TAMUK-
- Mary McAdam