David Copley’s Jan. 22 commentary, “Bush denounces immoral policy,” attempting to defend the Bush administration’s indefensible position with regards to university admissions policies, is filled with so many half-truths and omissions that one hardly knows where to begin in refuting him, but I will try.

He points out that in the University of Michigan’s admissions policy, “A perfect SAT score is worth a meager 12 points. The color of your skin can earn you a whopping 20 points,” implying that color of skin counts far more to be admitted than academic success, and in doing so, he commits a lie of omission by neglecting to point out that:

* A perfect high-school GPA is worth 80 admission points.

* 10 points can be earned for attending a rigorous high school and 8 more points for advanced placement courses.

Added together to a possible 12 points for a perfect ACT score results in a possible 110 points awarded for academic success, far eclipsing the 20 points awarded for being an underrepresented minority and 10 points more than the 100 necessary for admission.

Furthermore, he implies that bonus points can only be awarded for “the color of your skin.” This is another lie, since he fails to point out that:

* 10 points are awarded for being a Michigan resident with a further 6 points for being from an underrepresented Michigan county. Thus residents of the upper peninsula of Michigan are awarded 16 points based solely on where they live.

* 20 points are awarded for being an athlete.

* Students from low-income white families are awarded the same 20 points as minority students.

* 4 points are awarded for being the child of an alumnus.

* A good essay is worth 3 points.

* Extracurricular activities can be worth a further 5 points.

Neither Copley nor the Bush administration seem to have a problem with the dimwitted, C-average son of a former president being admitted to the Harvard School of Business ahead of more deserving applicants. In their view of society, the only valid form of affirmative action is that which helps children of millionaires.

Michael Olsen

Mechanical Engineering