Maryland university admissions graphic separates 'Asian' students from 'Students of Color'

A university spokesperson told Fox News the graphic was meant to refer to student populations which are considered underrepresented

During a presentation by the University of Maryland president on Wednesday afternoon, one graphic meant to show admission and enrollment statistics excluded Asian students from the "Students of Color" group.

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The graphic, presented by University of Maryland president Darryll Pines during the university senate "State of the Campus" report, shows new freshman admission and enrollment from fall 2017 through fall 2021. However, the graphic separated students into two groups: "Students of Color, minus Asian" and "White or Asian Students."

A University of Maryland spokesperson told Fox News that the graphic was meant to refer to "student populations that are considered underrepresented on our campus."

COLLEGE PARK, MD - OCTOBER 20:  Pedestrians walk across the Chapel Lawn at The University of Maryland College Park on Thursday October 20, 2016.  (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

"During his annual State of the Campus address, President Pines shared information about the demographics of the freshman class, including information about the diversity of the class. The data in this specific section of the slide refers to student populations that are considered underrepresented on our campus," the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson clarified that "Asian students are students of color."

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COLLEGE PARK, MD - AUGUST 2: Cole Field House dedication ceremony show off the new indoor practice field at the University of Maryland August 02, 2017 in College Park, MD.  The complex will eventually include the Center for Sports Medicine, Health and Human Performance, a clinical treatment center and space for UMD's Academy for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Steve Sin, a University of Maryland employee, tweeted the categorization brought back negative memories.

COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 5: Students relax in unseasonably warm weather -- 70º -- at The University of Maryland in College Park, MD on February 5, 2018.  (Photo by Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Kenny Xu, "Inconvenient Minority" author and president of Color Us United told Fox News universities should not be using "categories for color."

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"I don't think the university should have categories for color at all. it's ridiculous to say, OK, we're going to try to boost equity only for the minorities that we prefer," Xu said. "That is Blacks and Latinos. And then, of course, use that to exclude Asian-Americans and Whites from all sides. If it were up to me, we need to eliminate race for admissions, period. We need to eliminate racial categorization from the system. I don't think it provides any of the right incentives."

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