Internal and external challenges for minority engineering programs

The Office of Minority Engineering Programs (OMEP) in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) at Arizona State University (ASU) is a growing support system for underrepresented minority students. However, there are challenges for the survival of the OMEP. Not all are in favor of funding its programs and the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) has proposed eliminating scholarship funding. The external challenges for the survival of the minority engineering program (MEP) come primarily from the national review of affirmative action policies associated with presumed preferential treatment of minority students. Perceptions that a great amount of resources are designated to only a few selective students need close review of minority programs.