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Supporters of the ban oppose any organization that actively discriminates against “stupid and poor” students, “especially those with the misfortune of being born stupid and poor.”

Emily Wabasha, another of the bill’s authors, explained, “We don’t necessarily disagree with what colleges do, [we just disagree with] this principle. They do not come here to be open and accepting of all students, just those who happened to be born with a higher capacity for understanding. If your kid is dumb or destitute, they won’t even talk to her. They say they can’t have any of ‘her kind’ in their institution. They made my daughter cry in school. What gives them that right? Do you want your daughter crying in school?”

When reached for comment, Admission Counselor Chris Virta replied, “I don’t think this will hold up. Most people support what we do and would be glad to have their children in our school. We cannot take everyone, especially those that could be a disruption to our goals as an organization. Besides, it would be very difficult to recruit if not allowed into the schools. What would we do, stand in the street and catch them on the way in? These people are crazy!”

The bill also includes “radius zones” that would prevent recruiters from coming within a certain distance of the school’s entrances or approaching students who are entering these regions.

No one in Hamline’s administration could be reached for comment on the situation, but officials from other colleges fear that this movement could lead to a major decline in student enrollment, citing on-location recruiting as their single largest source of new recruits.

And that is why it is a problem, says Millerstroot: “They just want to be able to pick and chose who they want to take from our communities. They do not care how this affects us, just how it makes them look.”

One alternative solution proposed to the discrimination charges that is favored by the bill’s proponents is a more open policy in recruiting and admitting students, one that does not take mental capacity into consideration. This new system would give points based on effort and reward incentives for active participation. For those students classified as “lazy” or “born without the will to work,” admission standards would be based on attendance.

Such solutions are not ideal, however, according to those who know the recruiting process. One
counselor remarked, “We cannot just allow anyone into our institution. We do not have anything against these kids, but for their own sake and the sake of our school, it is best that they not be here. It is not in their best interest to be somewhere where they will be singled out and ridiculed for any reason. If we allow less-intelligent students in, they are sure to face a harsh reaction from the smarter kids that are already here.”

Supporters of the bill see the issue differently. They claim to be “looking out for the interest of these children,” and maintain that the best thing that could be done is to not single lower-ability students out as different or deficient in any way. If they want to go to college, they should get to go, regardless of what any official says is their best interest.