Affirmative Action Challenge and Supreme Court Guidance

Supreme Court Cases: Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard and UNC

America’s higher education institutions have long recognized and cultivated the educational benefits of diversity. AACRAO believes holistic admissions practices are instrumental in helping institutions to identify students who are likely to thrive in their educational programs.

We will continue our efforts in support of equitable access to education. Our meetings, workshops, and digital platforms will continue to have space for institutions to work towards confronting implicit bias and addressing systemic inequities. We will provide support to institutions as they reframe their admissions plans in light of this legislation, while ensuring that the successes of minoritized students are not set back. And we will work to ensure that data-informed processes are built to develop and improve student support and programming.

Read our statement on the rulings to learn more.

Webinars

The Supreme Court Speaks: Understanding the Implications of Race-Conscious Admission Decision

3:00-4:30 PM ET | JULY 19, 2023

AACRAO, NACAC, NASFAA have joined together to present a webinar on the SFFA v Harvard and UNC cases. This webinar will provide attendees with a streamlined, practical analysis of two recent U.S. Supreme Court cases challenging race-conscious admission policies: Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC.

Looking Back, Planning Ahead

On February 2, 2023, AACRAO hosted a webinar that examines the pending U.S. Supreme cases where the central question is whether colleges and universities can continue to consider an applicant’s race and ethnicity as part of the holistic review process in admissions.

View Recording

AACRAO Process Examination Guidelines

AACRAO encourages members to begin to examine any admissions or recruitment practices that target populations of a specific race as well as their overall holistic/equity admissions practices.

To assist in this process, AACRAO is providing this guidance document to prepare our members for a possible major change in their ability to consider an applicant’s race and ethnicity as part of a holistic/equity review in admissions.

REVIEW GUIDANCE

Updates

AACRAO Issues Guidance in Preparation for Supreme Court Decision in Admissions Cases

Feb 2, 2023, 11:46 AM

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Summary : The guidance aims to help prepare members for a possible major change in their ability to consider an applicant's race and ethnicity as part of a holistic/equity review in admissions.

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This fall, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases challenging the race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina (UNC).

The plaintiff in both cases, Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), alleges that the institutions intentionally discriminate against Asian American students. SFFA asked the high court to overturn its ruling in the landmark Grutter v. Bollinger decision that has shaped college admissions policies for nearly two decades. Ahead of oral arguments, AACRAO joined the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), ACT, Inc. and the College Board in an amicus brief to inform the Supreme Court of the importance of continuing to allow admission professionals to holistically review all factors regarding applicants.

The court is expected to issue a final decision in the cases in the coming months. In anticipation of that decision, AACRAO recently issued guidance to prepare members for a possible major change in their ability to consider an applicant's race and ethnicity as part of a holistic/equity review in admissions. The guidance encourages members to begin to examine any policies/practices/procedures where affirmative action (race and/or ethnicity) is or may be a factor.