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Public universities, though, could face legal challenges if they were to try recruiting more males. In California a strict anti-affirmative-action statute effectively precludes gender-based outreach. In Texas and Florida--both of which have largely abolished preferences in admissions policies--state officials say there are no special plans to lure more men. Many schools still try to balance programs historically dominated by one gender (like engineering and social work) by offering slots to underrepresented students. But that doesn't necessarily boost, say, the number of Hispanic males. And that has led some educators to skirt the recruiting rules. At San Francisco State University, Roberto Haro, a professor of ethnic studies, routinely recruits minority males at Boys Clubs and middle schools in inner-city areas. As a result, he says, "in the past year, we've seen a slight increase in the number of minority males who have applied."
Black fraternities are also getting involved. In Maryland the Howard County alumni chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha runs a mentoring program for high school males, helping boost their grades and inspiring them to apply to college. Says program head David Barrett: "So many of our boys are in prison. The ones in school--they're under tremendous pressure from their peers not to excel academically. We want to show them that learning is O.K."
Michael Kimmel believes that once we begin to change the anti-intellectual current in our culture, market forces will help address the gender gap. "Eventually," he says, "men will start going back to college to meet the demand for an educated labor force." And surely more men will also be lured onto campuses by the realization that they'll be surrounded by smart, attractive women with great earnings prospects.
--With reporting by Anne Berryman/Athens
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