Oh please, spare us the Captain Renault "I'm shocked! Shocked..." histrionics and cease the issue skirting. To repeat my assertions:
1) "So you have said, but without showing (why) that "anything else" (than academic merit) should be ignored." (unanswered)
2) I said: "Public universities have obligations to provide a reasonable opportunity to all its citizens, not just the gifted and academically talented elite. To that end, my proposed policy is both democratic and inclusive, without needlessly measuring each person by their race (or any other factor). (Perhaps you did not notice I did not include any exceptions, including the ones that vex you)."
Nothing in your reply addresses the obligations of the state provide a reasonable opportunity - not to attend ANY "separate but unequal" education but for a chance to attend the public university of choice if they obtain the minimum requirements for admission. Of course there is some minimum level of cognitive ability and acquired skills to attend U of Michigan, but once that criteria is attained then further selection is not very egalitarian. Hence, as I proposed, all those who apply to U of Michigan who meet the minimum qualification should be pooled and selected by lottery. Further qualification by putting a microscope to the students biography and his/her "suffering" and "challenges" due to race, class, or culture is just another form of discrimination that would not be permitted.
As far as legacy admissions are concerned, of course they would have no place in public institutions, and athletic admissions at least need to be reviewed (it is likely that sports loving Americans would never permit ending athletic admission exceptions).
You might be happy if nothing but "academic merit" the sole form discriminating between college admissions, but up to a certain point I am proposing NO DISCRIMINATION. Public universities are funded not only for individuals, but also for the common welfare. And any person who can utilize and benefit from a public expenditure, the benefits of that expenditure ought to be equally available for anyone who qualifieds. The state has a democratic obligation to allow all citizens equal access to schools, parks, or highways as long as they can successfully benefit the citizens and citizenry.
Hence, minimal academic ability is necessary but, beyond that, a lottery should be held for the limited number of slots. Indeed, "let the chips fall where they may".
Finally, Asians are discriminated against in many elite universities, as more than one study shows - an unfortunate consequence of attempting to filter out and rank students by numerous objective and subjective criteria.
