WHITTIER -- Calling it a "deceptive' measure that has "nothing to do with privacy,' the Rio Hondo College board of trustees has gone on record against Proposition 54, the so-called Racial Privacy Initiative on the Oct. 7 ballot.

The controversial ballot initiative would bar the state from asking for the race or national origin of anyone when collecting data about public education, contracting and employment.

Proposition 54 has the backing of Ward Connerly, a University of California regent who successfully spearheaded the 1996 Proposition 209 campaign that measure banned affirmative action programs in the state's public institutions.

Connerly has argued Proposition 54 would bring the state closer to becoming a colorblind society.

But groups opposed to the initiative say it would harm antidiscrimination efforts in law enforcement, public health and education.

Health advocates say it would deprive researchers of an important tool to spot disparities in the way diseases such as cancer and diabetes affect different ethnic groups, although the measure includes an exemption for racial data collected for medical purposes.

Rio Hondo trustees passed a resolution against Proposition 54 earlier this month. The resolution said the measure would eliminate information that pinpoints where inequities lie and make it impossible to prosecute hate crimes or enforce civil rights laws barring discrimination in housing, education and employment.

"We can't conceal our racial data,' said board President Michelle Yanez. "In order to prevent racial discrimination, the government needs to keep track of racial data. For us, this is the only way to use racial profiling for positive outcomes and sharing fair access to educational resources.'

While the ballot measure has enjoyed support from a plurality of California voters, a poll last week showed its support is slipping.

The nonpartisan Field Poll found Proposition 54 was supported by 46 percent of likely voters, down from 50 percent in July. Thirty-five percent said they opposed the measure, and 19 percent were undecided.

The measure will appear on the ballot Oct. 7, the same day as the special recall election against Gov. Gray Davis, and its fate may well hinge on which voters turn out for the recall. The poll found that those who say they definitely plan to vote to recall Davis support the measure by a 2-to-1 margin; supporters of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who is running as a Republican to replace Davis, favor it 3 to 1.

On the other hand, the poll found the measure could boost turnout among the state's ethnic minority voters, especially Latinos, who oppose the measure by a margin of 50 percent to 38 percent.

While just 17 percent of white voters said they are inclined to vote in the special election because of Proposition 54, 39 percent of Latino voters say the measure will make them more likely to vote.

"The most significant thing is the groups that are moving to the 'no' side,' said Mark DiCamillo, the Field Poll's director. "Democrats have moved to the 'no' side, as have ethnic voters. Some of these people were going to be voting anyway, but it does bring some voters to the polls who wouldn't otherwise be there.'

Yanez said the racial data are especially crucial for community colleges, which serve such a diverse population.

"For some people, their scholarships depend on this financial aid they've qualified for depends on the racial data,' Yanez said. "We won't even be able to lobby the federal or state government for certain monies if we're not able to report racial data.'

By taking a position on pending state legislation, Yanez said the college hopes to "become a leader among community colleges in standing up for what's right and taking a more active role at the state level.

"We're trying to increase our participation we don't want to only be concerned about issues at the local level,' she added. "We're concerned about all community colleges across the state.'

The poll data were collected in a telephone survey of 448 likely voters contacted between Aug. 10-13. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.