State Journal: Preferences; Fund-Raising

Call it affirmative action for the well-connected. A California Senate committee opened hearings last week to investigate reports that University of California officials gave admissions preference to students with ties to state politicians, major donors, and the university system's regents.

The reports, part of a series the Los Angeles Times newspaper began last month, have been particularly embarrassing for the prestigious university system since its board of regents--some of whom now stand accused of using their clout to help friends and relations--voted last July to end affirmative-action admissions policies for minorities and women.

Many of the political and university leaders named in the Times reports said that they had merely written letters...