Congress hears that universities are bypassing Supreme Court’s anti-affirmative action ruling.
Colleges and Universities Evading Supreme Court Ruling on Racially Discriminatory Admissions
According to a legal expert, colleges and universities are finding ways to bypass a recent Supreme Court ruling that banned racially discriminatory admissions policies in higher education. At the same time, these institutions are moving away from standardized testing to admit academically unqualified minority applicants. This revelation was made during a hearing before the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee of the House Education and Workforce Committee, three months after the landmark Supreme Court decision.
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The Supreme Court ruling on June 29 put an end to the use of race-conscious admissions, a goal long sought after by conservatives. However, this ruling did not apply to military academies. The case involved two separate appeals: Students for Fair Admissions Inc. (SFFA) v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, and SFFA v. University of North Carolina (UNC).
In the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts criticized universities for prioritizing an individual’s skin color over their achievements and abilities. He stated that universities must focus on challenges overcome, skills developed, and lessons learned, rather than the color of one’s skin. Justice Clarence Thomas, a long-time advocate for ending affirmative action, concurred with the majority, emphasizing that universities’ admissions policies were designed to ensure a specific racial mix, rather than considering individual merit.
However, Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, arguing that the majority decision rolled back decades of progress and perpetuated a superficial rule of colorblindness in a society still plagued by racial disparities. Meanwhile, attorney J. Christian Adams revealed that colleges and universities were already implementing strategies to circumvent any future ruling against race preferences, such as making test scores optional to increase the number of minority students admitted.
During the hearing, Rep. Burgess Owens praised the Supreme Court’s decision as a victory for equal opportunity and meritocracy. However, he expressed concern that some schools were already attempting to undermine the ruling and called for accountability. Witness Alison Somin, a legal fellow at the Pacific Legal Foundation, echoed this sentiment, warning that evasion of the ruling was becoming widespread and that the U.S. Department of Education was exacerbating the problem by failing to enforce civil rights laws.
Rep. Glenn Grothman questioned the emphasis on ethnic diversity over diversity of thought in universities, highlighting the reliance on crude stereotypes. Witness David Hinojosa, director of the Education Opportunities Project of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, defended affirmative action and criticized opponents for wanting to take away opportunities from deserving students. Rep. Pramila Jayapal lamented the Supreme Court’s decision, arguing that race-conscious admissions were crucial for reducing racial bias and achieving diversity.
Despite the ruling, Rep. Bobby Scott emphasized the ongoing need for racial diversity on campuses, stating that race-conscious admissions procedures had leveled the playing field and countered discriminatory factors such as standardized tests and legacy admissions.
What measures can be implemented to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court ruling and address the underlying issues that contribute to the need for affirmative action
Es should be race-neutral.
However, despite the Supreme Court ruling, colleges and universities seem to be finding ways to evade the ban on racially discriminatory admissions policies. The legal expert, who testified before the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, revealed that these institutions are now moving away from standardized testing to admit academically unqualified minority applicants.
This development is concerning, as it suggests that these institutions are prioritizing diversity and inclusion over merit and academic qualifications. While promoting diversity is important, it should not come at the expense of admitting academically unqualified students. This undermines the integrity of higher education institutions and compromises the quality of education provided.
The Supreme Court’s ruling was a landmark decision aimed at ensuring equal treatment and opportunities for all students. By bypassing this ruling, colleges and universities are perpetuating racial discrimination and undermining the principles of fairness and equal opportunity.
It is essential that these institutions are held accountable for their actions and that measures are put in place to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court ruling. Admissions policies should focus on the merits and qualifications of applicants, rather than their race or ethnicity.
In addition to evading the Supreme Court’s ruling, colleges and universities also need to address the underlying issues that contribute to the need for affirmative action in the first place. Disparities in access to quality education, resources, and opportunities must be addressed to create a level playing field for all students.
Moreover, it is crucial that colleges and universities provide support and resources to help academically disadvantaged students succeed. This includes providing remedial education programs, mentorship, and scholarships to ensure that all students have an equal chance to thrive.
In conclusion, colleges and universities must adhere to the Supreme Court ruling on racially discriminatory admissions policies. By evading this ruling and admitting academically unqualified minority applicants, these institutions are undermining the principles of fairness and equal opportunity. It is essential that measures are put in place to ensure compliance with the ruling and address the underlying issues that contribute to the need for affirmative action. Only then can we truly achieve equality in higher education.
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