Biden Administration Releases Legal Resources for College Admissions After Supreme Court Decision
After the Supreme Court’s decision in June banning affirmative action admission policies that use race as a determining factor in college admissions, the Biden administration has unveiled new legal resources for colleges and universities. These resources aim to clarify how a prospective student’s race and ethnicity can be considered in admissions, while still complying with the Supreme Court’s ruling.
Education Department Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized that the court’s decision did not deny the value of diversity in education. He stated that institutions can continue targeted outreach and recruitment in underserved communities, collect and consider demographic data, and run programs to support the success of students from diverse backgrounds.
Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta addressed the issue of considering race in admissions, stating that colleges and universities should ensure that their doors are open to students of all backgrounds. She emphasized that admissions decisions should be based on the characteristics necessary for success and contribution on college campuses, rather than solely on race or ethnicity.
The resources released by the Departments of Education and Justice serve as a guide to the current legal framework regarding the use of racial diversity in university admissions. They clarify and expand upon the Biden administration’s interpretation of the Supreme Court’s decision. The guidance states that institutions of higher education are still free to consider any quality or characteristic of a student that relates to their admission decision, such as courage, motivation, or determination, even if that characteristic is tied to their lived experience with race.
Although the Supreme Court’s ruling prohibits the use of race data in admission decisions, colleges and universities may still collect this information. However, they must ensure that it is not used in violation of privacy laws or as a basis for admission decisions. Some competitive universities, like the University of Virginia, have already made changes to their applications to allow students to incorporate more of their personal history, excluding the disclosure of race or ethnicity.
The Biden administration’s guidance also encourages colleges and universities to increase access for underserved populations. It suggests that policies such as legacy admissions or admitting the children of donors may run counter to efforts to promote equal opportunities for all students and should be reevaluated.
The Supreme Court’s decision did not address race-based admissions in military academies or scholarship opportunities. The Biden administration is continuing to work with institutions to address this matter. Education Department Secretary Miguel Cardona also mentioned that a more comprehensive report on achieving diverse pools of applicants will be released soon.
Overall, the Biden administration’s release of legal resources aims to provide clarity on how colleges and universities can consider race and ethnicity in admissions while adhering to the Supreme Court’s ruling. The resources encourage institutions to prioritize diversity and equal opportunities for all students in their admissions processes.
Original Story at www.cbsnews.com – 2023-08-14 23:29:31
Comments are closed.