Affirmative actions and horizontal stratification: comparison between bonus and Quotas Law at the UFMG

Abstract

In this article, we analyze the effects of two affirmative action policies adopted by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG): the bonus policy and the Quota Law. We compare the social inclusion produced by them by two angles: the access itself to UFMG and the distribution of the target groups among the institution’s programs, considering its internal horizontal hierarchy. We verify the changes in the student`s profile by focusing on three variables: race, school origin and family income. Based on descriptive statistics, it is concluded that the two policies had relevant effects on social inclusion. However, this occurred in different ways. The bonus policy was able to increase the access of students from public schools, blacks and with low-income, but mainly in the less selective programs. The Quota Law contributed more effectively to increasing the access of these students to the most selective programs of UFMG, reducing the horizontal inequalities. We observe, however, that remains expressive inequalities in the access to the universities programs still need to be addressed.