Minority Quotas

Bernard D. Davis '36, Lehman Professor of Bacterial Physiology, criticized supporters of quota systems and suggested a new approach to problems of social equity to a group of 25 at North House last night.

A quota system "creates one set of problems while it solves another," Davis said. "A logical alternative would be to provide more equal rewards for different jobs, rather than to leave our rewards system untouched and seek group parity," Davis added.

Davis received considerable attention last spring when he suggested in a New England Journal of Medicine editorial that the Medical School acted irresponsibly in graduating a minority student who failed part I of the national medical board five times. In particular Davis criticized the "nationwide increase in admission of students with substandard academic qualifications."