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

Education Dept. Launches Inquiry into Harvard's Legacy Admissions

Jul 26, 2023, 15:44 PM

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Summary : The inquiry, launched in response to a formal complaint filed by three groups, began after the Supreme Court's recent decision restricting the use of race in college admissions decisions.

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The U.S. Education Department opened a civil rights investigation into Harvard University's admissions practices based on legacy preferences for the relatives of alumni and donors, according to lawyers representing several groups who claim these practices are discriminatory, The New York Times reported.

The inquiry, launched in response to a formal complaint filed by three groups—Chica Project, ACEDONE, and the Greater Boston Latino Network—began after the Supreme Court's recent decision restricting the use of race in college admissions decisions.

The groups argue that Harvard's practice of giving preferences to legacy admissions unfairly discriminates against Black, Hispanic, and Asian applicants in favor of wealthy students who may be less qualified, reported the Times. The department's Office for Civil Rights confirmed the investigation under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.

The Supreme Court ruled last month that the use of race in admissions violated the Constitution, leading to increased scrutiny of college admissions practices. Critics of the decision are now challenging legacy admissions as another area of concern.

In response to the investigation, Harvard University stated that it is already reviewing its admissions process to ensure compliance with the law in light of the court's decision, the Times reported. The university aims to foster a diverse intellectual community and encourages students from various backgrounds to apply for admission.