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Since the University of California stopped using race considerations as a factor in college admissions, many campuses have seen a steady decrease in the amount of minority students enrolling in each year’s freshman class.

But along with the decrease in the number of students from underrepresented ethnic groups, the level of activism at UC campuses traditionally known for their political involvement – including UCLA – has dropped noticeably, according to university officials.

The link between the decrease in diversity and the gradual disappearance of visible demonstrations on campus has not gone unnoticed.

According to Claudia Mitchell-Kernan, the vice chancellor for the graduate department, the change in campus demographics has had a permanent impact on campus culture.

“The change does have something to do with the decline in the numbers of some groups – especially African Americans, who were quite often at the forefront of such demonstrations,” she said.

Last week, the UC released figures which show decreases in the number of underrepresented minority students admitted for fall quarter 2004 across the system. The statistics include a dramatic drop in the number of black students, with only 199 applications accepted.

Berky Nelson, director of the Center for Student Programming, said the drop in minority-student admissions would mean that existing ethnic groups on campus will not be able to create a “critical mass” – sufficient numbers of representatives to bind together and voice opinions on issues facing that community.

Nelson added that minority students tend to be more involved in activism because they are more critical of society and “long-standing inequities.”

“When you don’t have a critical mass of students to represent a position or provoke change, you will have a drop-off in activism,” he said.

At UCLA, the average income level of enrolled students is also on the rise, Mitchell-Kernan said, which may also have contributed to a more pacified campus environment.

“Lots of students come from affluent backgrounds and may not be so concerned with certain social issues,” she said.

Nelson suggested that the change in numbers of students from specific minority groups since the UC banned race considerations in admissions with SP-1 and -2 in 1995, as well as cultural differences between ethnic groups, have affected activism.

The end of affirmative action saw many more Asian American students admitted to UCLA, while the number of students from underrepresented minority groups – blacks, American Indians, Chicanos and Latinos – has steadily declined.

“Without generalizing, I would say that Asian Americans have not had a traditional role of activism in the United States,” Nelson said. “They believe the way to success is through education, so they might study hard at the expense of things others may deem relevant.”

But perhaps activism is just not as visible today as it has been in the past because students are choosing to voice their opinions through different methods.

Alfred Herrera, director of the Center for Community College Partnerships, is involved in outreach. He explained phone calls, personal visits to legislators and letter writing have become more effective methods of protest.

“It is easier to dismiss a large group than someone you are face to face with – perhaps there are so many visual protests people have become conditioned to ignore them,” Herrera said.