By AP
DETROIT –
Wayne State University's board has approved a tougher new admissions policy aimed at boosting the school's graduation rate.
The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press report the proposal was approved Wednesday.
Under the plan, incoming freshmen would be evaluated differently. Applicants will either be accepted by the school, told they need to complete an eight-week summer program first or be encouraged to do something else like community college.
The summer program would offer free classes in English, algebra and study skills. The changes could reduce the student population by about 5%.
Critics say it could hurt the school's urban mission and reduce the number of minorities, especially from Detroit Public Schools.
School officials say they plan to step up recruitment of area minority students to address concerns.