Since California abandoned affirmative action in 1997, the UC system has been struggling to admit students from underprivileged schools, who often score lower on the SAT I, a test of verbal and mathematical aptitude. Atkinson favors a more holistic approach to admissions, assessing everything from academic performance to a student’s contribution to the community. Says Michael Cowan, chair of the academic council that must approve the proposal before it’s sent to the Board of Regents, “There will be a great deal of sympathy for the president’s goals.”
