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The Challenge to Legacy Admissions: A New Wave of Opposition
The Supreme Court's Ruling and Its Impact
The obvious statement here: "reverse discrimination is discrimination."
After the Supreme Court's ruling on the affirmative action admission policies of Harvard and the University of North Carolina, legacy preferences are now facing new challenges. The court's decision was considered a significant setback to efforts to boost enrollment of minorities at American universities through race-conscious policies. However, a civil rights group is now contesting the practice of giving priority to the children of alumni at Harvard University, arguing that it discriminates against students of color by giving an unfair advantage to mostly white children of alumni.
Changing Public Opinion
According to a report by the Pew Research Center, an increasing number of Americans disagree with legacy admissions. In a recent survey, 75% of respondents said that whether a relative attended the school should not factor into admissions decisions, up from 68% in 2019. Lawyers for Civil Rights, in their suit against Harvard, claim that legacy admissions are a discriminatory practice that gives preferential treatment to applicants with familial ties to wealthy donors and alumni. The complaint also states that legacies are nearly six times more likely to be admitted, primarily benefiting white applicants and hindering efforts to diversify the student body.
Legislative and Advocacy Efforts
In addition to legal challenges, several bills at the state and federal level have aimed to address legacy admissions. For example, a recent proposal in Massachusetts suggests charging colleges a fee for considering legacy status or an applicant's relationship to a past, current, or prospective donor. The NAACP has called on over 1,600 U.S. colleges and universities to commit to increasing the representation of historically underrepresented students and ending the practice of legacy admissions. These efforts reflect a push for equal opportunities in higher education regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socioeconomic status.
The Racial Implications and Legal Merit
While legacy admissions are not explicitly based on race, their disproportionate impact on race raises concerns. As Professor Alvin Tillery of Northwestern University's Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy states, legacy advantage is mostly a white entitlement. The Supreme Court's rejection of race-conscious admissions programs, combined with the indirect racial implications of legacy admissions, highlights potential legal challenges. Attorneys suggest that if such programs lack a compelling interest and negatively impact the college application process, they could be deemed unconstitutional.
The Consensus on Identity in College Admissions
Professor Tillery argues that there needs to be consistency in the use of race in college admissions. If race cannot be considered for Black and Latino students, it should not be used for wealthy white students either. While the advantages of legacy admissions can be difficult to quantify, data shows that at some selective colleges, legacies make up as much as 10% to 20% of the incoming class. However, some institutions, such as Amherst College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Johns Hopkins University, have already phased out legacy admissions entirely, acknowledging the need for a fair and equitable admissions process.
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A Hot Take on the Impact of Challenging Legacy Admissions
The new wave of opposition against legacy admissions presents a potential challenge for new businesses operating in the higher education sector. As public opinion shifts and legal challenges gain momentum, colleges and universities may be compelled to reassess their admissions practices. This opens up opportunities for innovative educational institutions that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The increasing public disagreement with legacy admissions, especially among the younger generation, indicates a growing demand for fairness and equal opportunities in higher education. New businesses that offer alternative models, focused on merit-based admissions and consideration of a broader range of factors beyond familial ties, could gain significant traction.
Legislative efforts and proposed policy changes demonstrate a push for reform in the admissions process. State and federal bills proposing fees for considering legacy status or advocacy groups demanding increased representation of historically marginalized groups signal a shifting landscape. By aligning with these movements and offering solutions that address these concerns, new educational entities could position themselves as leaders in promoting a more equitable system.
The racial implications of legacy admissions and the potential legal merit of challenges present a unique opportunity for new institutions to take a stand and differentiate themselves. By establishing admissions policies rooted in fairness and a commitment to diversity, these businesses can attract the attention of prospective students, parents, and even potential donors who are in favor of a more inclusive approach to education.
In conclusion, the opposition against legacy admissions creates a potential advantage for new businesses in the higher education sector. By capitalizing on shifting public opinion, aligning with legislative efforts, and not forcibly promoting woke diversity and inclusion initiatives, these businesses can carve out a niche that caters to the demand for a fairer and more merit-based admissions process.
Embracing change and addressing the concerns raised with legacy admissions will not only differentiate these institutions but also contribute to the broader goal of creating a more competitive and accessible higher education system.
Article First Published at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/10/how-the-supreme-courts-affirmative-action-ruling-may-impact-legacies.html
