Colleges abandon race-based initiatives under pressure from legal challenges
In a landmark decision on June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that race-based affirmative action policies in college admissions are unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment[1][2][3]. This ruling, in the case of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and UNC, has significant implications for the future of diversity efforts in higher education.
The decision prohibits race-based admissions preferences, overturning decades of precedent that allowed limited race-conscious admissions policies[1][2][4]. However, institutions may still consider an applicant's personal discussion of how race has impacted their life if it connects to their unique character or abilities, as part of a holistic, individualized review[2][5].
The ruling preserves the ability of institutions to use race-neutral criteria such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, and personal adversity to pursue diversity and inclusion[5]. There remains significant debate and concern about the ruling's impact, with organizations such as the American Council on Education (ACE) expressing that it may harm diversity and the educational experience[4].
The decision focuses on eliminating what the Court describes as "racial discrimination" in admissions, whether explicit or by proxy, emphasizing an evaluation based on individual merit without race-based preference[3].
Regarding race-based support and pipeline programs beyond admissions, such as scholarships, mentorships, and outreach aimed at historically underrepresented groups, the ruling centers on admissions policy and does not explicitly ban or restrict such programs. However, because many programs are linked to race-conscious admissions efforts, their future may be influenced by the broader legal and institutional shifts prompted by this decision.
In the aftermath of this ruling, the landscape of higher education diversity efforts is shifting towards race-neutral mechanisms and individualized consideration of applicants' life experiences, with race-based admissions preferences no longer permissible under current Supreme Court precedent[1][2][4][5].
One such program under fire is the Black Graduate Student Association's BIPOC Mentoring Circle series at the University of Arkansas, facing scrutiny from the Equal Protection Project.
Meanwhile, the experiences of individuals like Jocelyn Ricard, a Ph.D. candidate in neuroscience at Stanford School of Medicine, highlight the importance of programs like the Multicultural Summer Research Opportunities Program (MSROP). Ricard, who has received scholarships such as the Knight-Hennessy and Ford Foundation Fellowship, credits MSROP for her entry into the field and for connecting her with other students of similar backgrounds who shared her interests[6].
Despite the challenges, programs like MSROP continue to provide valuable opportunities for underrepresented students. For instance, Chris Molina, a senior and first-generation student whose parents immigrated from El Salvador, received guidance from Marc Mund through the Latinx On The Rise Mentoring Program and landed a corporate internship at Sam's Club[7].
The Latinx On The Rise Mentoring Program, organized by the NWA Hispanic Leadership Council in northwest Arkansas, still matches Hispanic students with professionals. Similarly, the Creando Comunidad program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, originally intended for undergraduate students of colour, has updated its website to make clear that all undergraduate students are invited to participate[8].
However, after facing a complaint from the Equal Protection Project, the program became just "Creando Comunidad" and applicants now must show "demonstrated interest or experience in promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice for communities of colour"[8]. This trend is also seen in the BIPOC Alumni-Student Mentoring Program at the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development, which was challenged by the Equal Protection Project and had its description revised to say that it is open to mentors and mentees of all races, ethnicities, and national origins[9].
As the higher education landscape evolves, it is clear that programs aimed at supporting underrepresented students will continue to play a crucial role. Paulette Granberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, stated that suggesting a level playing field is problematic and that campuses must take into account the disadvantages students experience that affect what help they need to navigate their education[10].
In conclusion, while the Supreme Court's ruling has significantly impacted race-based admissions policies, the need for programs that support underrepresented students remains vital. The future of these programs will likely depend on their ability to adapt to a more race-neutral landscape while continuing to address the unique challenges faced by historically underrepresented groups.
References: 1. NPR 2. The New York Times 3. The Washington Post 4. The Atlantic 5. The Wall Street Journal 6. Stanford News 7. Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 8. MIT News 9. University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development 10. Inside Higher Ed
- The Supreme Court's ruling on race-based affirmative action policies has created a landscape in higher education that prioritizes race-neutral mechanisms and individualized considerations, leaving programs aimed at supporting underrepresented students even more vital.
- Programs such as the Multicultural Summer Research Opportunities Program (MSROP) and the Latinx On The Rise Mentoring Program continue to offer valuable opportunities for underrepresented students, helping them connect with others who share similar backgrounds and interests.
- As the future of diversity efforts in higher education becomes more race-neutral, programs that support underrepresented students must adapt while maintaining their focus on addressing the unique struggles these groups encounter in education-and-self-development.
