Ms. Wente must have missed the last 20+ years.

While some universities now seem to be taking things to absurd extents (the U of M cited in the article), when I graduated with my Ph.D. 25 years ago this was already a "problem".  

Universities were already trying very hard to boost the hiring of women and minorities.  No one said women or minorities only, but I do recall advertisements/postings saying something along the lines of "applications from women and minorities are actively encouraged."