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

Students for Fair Admissions Files Supreme Court Brief

May 4, 2022, 15:01 PM

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Summary : Group formally asks the court to reverse decisions that assert the constitutionality of race-conscious admissions policies at Harvard and UNC-Chapel Hill.

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On Monday, Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court formally asking it to reverse decisions that assert the constitutionality of the race-conscious admissions policies of Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, reported Inside Higher Ed. In particular, SFFA asked the court to overturn the landmark 2003 Grutter v. Bollinger ruling, which permits the use of race in admissions decisions to promote student diversity.

Edward Blum, president of the group, said, "The ancient faith that gave birth to our nation's civil rights laws is the principle that an individual's race should not be used to help or harm them in their life's endeavors. It is the hope of the vast majority of all Americans that the justices end these polarizing admissions policies."

Next week is the deadline for groups to file amicus briefs in support of the Students for Fair Admissions position, Inside Higher Ed reported. Harvard and UNC respond on July 25.