What Is Affirmative Action in College Admissions?

Affirmative action in college admissions is the practice of using race, ethnicity, or gender to select applicants for admission to certain college or university programs. Generally, affirmative action is done to diversify the student body. There are a number of issues with this type of admissions practice, however. Some of these issues include the disapproval of affirmative action and the fact that some cases have been challenged in court as to whether or not affirmative action is legal.

SCOTUS could upend affirmative action law

The Supreme Court (SCOTUS) could soon make or break affirmative action laws in college admissions. This could mean big changes for students and colleges. It could also mean less diversity on college campuses.

The court will consider two cases involving the lawfulness of affirmative action at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. In each case, the question was whether or not race is a valid factor for admissions.

The cases are brought by a conservative challenger called Students for Fair Admissions. Attorneys for Students for Fair Admissions have argued that the use of race as a factor in college admissions violates constitutional protections. They argue that colleges do not need to factor race into their admissions process and that it’s better to give all applicants equal access to the college experience.

The outcome of these cases will likely have an impact on hundreds of colleges and universities across the country. They will also test the conservative edge of the court.

If the court rules in favor of Students for Fair Admissions, it could mean that universities will no longer be able to consider race in their admissions policies. That would be a huge blow for both Black and Latino students who currently receive preferential treatment.

The court has already ruled twice that universities can include race as a factor in their admissions. These rulings are considered by many legal experts to be on the chopping block.

A recent Pew Research Center survey found that almost three-fourths of Americans support the idea that race should not be a consideration in admissions decisions. But a majority of Hispanic and Black respondents disagreed.

During oral arguments in the two cases, several justices questioned whether or not race should be included in the admissions process. Some justices suggested that universities could achieve diversity without accounting for race. Others said that considering race in admissions was the best way to increase diversity on college campuses.

One of the major challenges of these cases is that students who come from low-income families often find it difficult to navigate college. The outcome of these cases may impact workplace diversity programs and academic environments on college campuses.

Race-conscious admissions creates a diverse student body

Race-conscious admissions are policies that encourage colleges and universities to consider student race in the admissions process. Proponents of these policies say that it promotes the integration of students on college campuses and diminishes stereotypes. On the other hand, opponents argue that it unfairly discriminates against White and Asian students.

In addition to promoting diversity on campus, the practice also addresses structural barriers that prevent certain racial groups from attending higher education. The American Council on Education has found that a diverse student body leads to greater cultural competency and innovation.

A recent survey from the Pew Research Center found that 74% of Americans disapprove of race-conscious admissions. However, the American Psychological Association is supportive of these policies.

Harvard University’s race-conscious admissions program is being challenged. In a lawsuit, a White student, Abigail Fisher, accuses the university of racial discrimination. Her attorney, Patrick Strawbridge, said that race-based classifications do not serve a useful purpose and are wrong. He added that group preferences can lead to resentment, stigma, and division.

The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill’s race-conscious admissions program is also under fire. Students for Fair Admissions (SFA) is suing the university for violating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. If the Supreme Court decides against the college, it could have a huge impact on the education system.

The American Psychological Association filed an amicus brief in the case. This is the second case the court has heard on race-conscious admissions in the past 19 years.

In October, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on two cases on race-conscious admissions. Its decision will have a huge effect on the future of race-conscious admissions in higher education.

The court will rule on whether the use of race in admissions is legal. While the justices have consistently ruled in favor of this practice, conservatives on the court have repeatedly questioned the court’s decision. They have also cited the University of Michigan’s race-based admissions program in Grutter v. Bollinger as a precedent for their ruling.

Disapproval of affirmative action

Affirmative action in college admissions has been controversial for some time. Although a majority of Americans support affirmative action programs, they have largely disapproved of consideration of race and ethnicity in the selection process. Several states have banned affirmative action in higher education in the past three decades.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard University are defending their use of race as a criterion for admission. These cases will be considered by the Supreme Court this fall. During the case, the Supreme Court will hear arguments about whether or not a school’s race-conscious admissions policy is constitutional.

Public opinion surveys on the matter have varied significantly over the years. While some surveys have shown a general support for affirmative action, others have found little to no support. In addition, survey questions may vary, making the results slightly different.

The Pew Research Center’s most recent survey revealed that a majority of the American public does not support race-conscious admissions. Moreover, a majority of both Republicans and Democrats believe that colleges should only consider merit, not race or ethnicity, when selecting students.

Meanwhile, a recent study showed that African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely to believe that race should not be a factor in college selection than whites. However, even those who do believe that race should be an important factor in college admissions are comparatively less likely to say so than whites.

Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) has challenged the use of race in college admissions. The group has filed a lawsuit against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard. It has also petitioned for the court to ban admissions offices from considering race. SFFA is backed by conservative groups.

Nevertheless, a November and December 2018 poll by Gallup, in conjunction with Inside Higher Ed and the American Enterprise Institute, revealed that a plurality of Americans support the idea of race-conscious admissions. This was a surprising outcome, given the controversies surrounding affirmative action.

Similarly, a study by the 85 Fund, a nonprofit research firm, found that a plurality of Americans do not support racial preferences. However, they are more likely to support the idea of gender-based preferences.

Cases challenging the lawfulness of affirmative action

The legality of affirmative action in college admissions is a subject of ongoing debate in the United States. For over 50 years, some universities have been using racial preferences to improve the educational experience of students. Some states have banned race-conscious admissions. However, these laws have not stopped colleges from using race as a consideration in admissions.

A conservative group, Students for Fair Admissions, has been trying to dismantle race-conscious practices. Its leader, Edward Blum, has filed more than two dozen lawsuits against race-based policies and has millions in funding from conservative donors.

Blum, who was a stockbroker before founding the group, has recruited numerous plaintiffs to challenge race-based policies. He was behind a losing lawsuit against the University of Texas.

In the past two decades, the Supreme Court has ruled twice on the lawfulness of affirmative action. While the justices did not delve deeply into the issues, the decisions signaled that the court was not sympathetic to the aims of schools.

These cases could be a chance for the court to reverse decades of precedent. Several justices are familiar with the issues, and they are eyeing a reversal of long-standing rules.

Another case that the Supreme Court is preparing to consider is Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. This case will focus on whether or not the university discriminated against Asian-American applicants.

The case involves the use of a point system that awarded points based on the applicant’s race, ethnicity, and geography. Race is not the only factor considered, as gender and test scores are also taken into account.

Anti-affirmative action groups like Students for Fair Admissions argue that race-conscious policies violate civil rights law. They conflate two separate issues, arguing that race is a matter of social salience and should not be the determining factor in admissions.

One court ruling upheld the affirmative action program at the University of Michigan Law School. Other lower courts have ruled in favour of this policy.

Students for Fair Admissions has also sued the University of North Carolina. It is one of the most prestigious universities in the US.