Soon prospective students applying to the University of California may be asked to divulge more personal information than their academic record and race. The school’s academic Senate has recommended that students have the option of identifying themselves as lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transgender on their admissions applications.

The recommendation has garnered a mixed reaction from UC’s Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, according to CBS Local. The board agrees that the question would allow the school to collect important statistical information, but they suggest putting the question on the SIR forms instead of college applications to protect students’ privacy.

Support has been pouring in from across UC’s various campuses since UCLA’s campus paper broke the story in the Daily Bruin. By and large, students believe the data will lead to more services to support LGBTQ students, such as special dormitory floors, once school officials realize what a large population they are.

“I think the numbers are way bigger than we really imagine or know,” said Queer Alliance Board member Luis Roman who spoke with university officials about the proposal, and supports its passing.

When asked whether he would mind being questioned about his sexual orientation, High School Senior Brian Vo, who was visiting UC’s campus, said he wouldn’t have a problem with it:

“I think it’s fine. They’re just collecting information to kind of cater to the population. It’s not obligatory — it’s voluntary — so it’s up to you whether you want to or not.”

Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Lawrence H. Pitts will be responsible for deciding whether to pass the proposed measure which would be implemented across the entire UC school system. As long as answering the question remains optional, it seems the recomendation could be passed without any backlash.

What do you think about this proposal? Should all school’s start asking applicant’s sexual orientation for statistical purposes?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

More on Madame Noire!

• How Tweet It Is: Folks Who Need A Twitter Take Down!
• No Ordinary Love: Weird Things That Are Good For Your Relationship
• Double Take! Celebs’ Who Look Just Like Their Parents
• Golden Girls! Gorgeous Gold Accessories – EDITOR PICKS
• Jojoba Oil: A Nourishing and Natural Friend For Your Hair
• Black Celebrity Twins Besides Tia & Tamera
• Puurrfectly Poised: Style Icon Eartha Kitt
• Sisters In Hiding: Not So Famous Sisters of Famous Celebs Part II

The University of California and black colleges are creating a pathway for black students to attend business school. Called the UC Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders, the program is geared to boost minority attendance in its graduate business programs.

The all-expensive paid fellowship program is a two week program for two consecutive years. While students from all majors at historically black colleges and universities are welcome to apply, they must possess and interest and experience in business. Participants meet with some of the leading CEOs and CFOs in the nation and take summer classes dealing with business development and entrepreneurship as network with their peers. At the end of the second program session, the students will receive a Certificate of Completion as an emerging manager and leader in business.

The LA Times reports that UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business will host the inaugural round of students. This summer the 25 selected students will visit UC Berkeley and five other UC campuses. The $125,000 budget for the fellowship was sponsored by Anthem Blue cross and Wells Fargo, as well as donations from other corporate and private entities. Fundraising for next year’s session has already begun.

The deadline for the summer program is March 30. More information can be found on UC’s website.

by R. Asmerom

Everyone knows that California has been experiencing a colossal financial crisis but are things so bad that the public university system needs to go hierarchal?

Amid budget cuts and staff layoffs, some are advocating that each of the 10 University of California schools determine its tuition rate. This would most certainly result in schools like UC Berkeley and UCLA charging more tuition than less competitive counterparts like Santa Cruz. This plan would align with the supply and demand principles, advocates say, but how does supply and demand enter the equation when it comes to public education?

Critics of the proposal worry that it could create disunity within the UC system and create an elitist environment, as obviously the more pricey, and more competitive, schools would become less accessible to students needing financial aid.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the idea of price differentials in public universities is nothing new.  University of Texas at Austin and University of Wisconsin at Madison are allowed to charge higher tuition than the other state schools in their respective networks.

At a recent Regents meeting, UC Santa Cruz Chancellor George R. Blumenthal expressed grave concern over the idea.

If different rates were allowed, he predicted that UC Berkeley would raise tuition the full 25% in “a micro second” and others would quickly follow, not wanting to be left behind in money or reputation. “I think once we go down that road, it could mean that some campuses may not be accessible to large segments of California students,” he said. (Source: LA Times)