Affirmative Action at Harvard

Affirmative action to employ more women and minorities at Harvard consists mainly in efforts to increase the number who apply for jobs. Since the first affirmative action plan was prepared in 1973, the proportion of women employees has risen markedly, especially in nonfaculty positions, but the proportion of black and Hispanic faculty has changed little. The record of the Medical School is particularly poor. Affirmative action is hampered by a lack of vigorous support from Harvard leaders, the decentralized university organization, the often unjustified perception of candidates' weak quality, the opposition of some women and minority faculty, and the shortages of qualified candidates.