Much contemporary judicial and legislative action directly affects diversity efforts in higher education. We focus here on the context in which campus leaders make decisions rather than on campus initiatives and actions themselves. We also focus on research crucial to making the case for diversity in light of judicial and legislative agendas. A main component of this section concerns affirmative action and the challenges of recruiting and retaining students and faculty from underrepresented groups. The resources in this section describe how colleges and universities have sought to build programs and promote policies that underscore their commitment to access, equity, and excellence in higher education.

Affirmative action has substantially expanded educational opportunities for white women, men and women of color, people with disabilities or who are economically disadvantaged, and veterans. Unfortunately, current controversy over the value of race-based affirmative action for higher education sometimes overlooks the continuing struggles of people seeking equal access to education and employment. In a national poll, a majority of American voters recently asserted overwhelming support for the goal of diversifying college campuses through explicit recruitment and retention efforts.