Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 20493121
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED183129 AUTHOR: Synnott, Marcia Graham
TITLE: The Half-Opened Door: Discrimination and Admissions
at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, 1900-1970. Contributions
in American History, Number 80.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1979
NOTE: 310 p.
AVAILABILITY: Greenwood Press, Inc., 51 Riverside Avenue,
Westport, CT 06880 ($23.95)
ABSTRACT: The origins, history, and final demise of
discriminatory admissions policies at Harvard, Princeton
and Yale are examined. It is reported that by the early
1920's the Big Three racial and religious quotas were fully
operative in response to the influx of Jews, Catholics, and
other new groups that threatened the hegemony of the old
stock Americans who traditionally composed the student
body. The discrimination suffered by the Jewish and
Catholic students who were admitted to these universities
is revealed. Change in the admissions policies came after
World War II with the increase in democratization. It is
shown how admissions on the basis of merit helped these
colleges preserve their traditions of academic excellence.
Chapters discuss the changing campus, various policies and
philosophies held by college presidents, admissions
policies, student experiences at these colleges, and events
leading to change and growth. Tables offer statistical
information such as: percentage of Jewish students at 30
colleges and universities, 1918-1919; Jewish and Gentile
students under discipline, 1912-1913 to 1921-1922;
scholarships awarded to Jewish students at Yale, 1911-1925;
and religious preferences of Yale undergraduates and
graduate students, l947-1954. Notes are provided on each
chapter offering clarification and references and an index
of terms. (LC)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Academic-Standards; Access-to-Education;
Admission-Criteria; Affirmative-Action; Due-Process; Equal
Education; Minority-Groups; Private-Colleges; Selective
Admission; Student-College-Relationship;
Student-Experience;
Student-Financial-Aid; Student-Rights
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Blacks-; *Catholics-; *Educational
Discrimination; *Educational-History; *Higher-Education;
*Jews-
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