Biden admin guides college admissions on diversity after SCOTUS ban.

The Biden Administration Releases⁤ New Guidance for Considering Race in College Admissions

The Biden ​administration has​ recently released new guidance for higher education institutions regarding the consideration of a student’s race ⁢during the admission process. This comes in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action, which has raised concerns about diversity⁤ and equal opportunities in higher education.

“This is a​ moment of great urgency in higher education,” Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona told ⁢reporters on Monday‌ morning.

In a landmark ruling just before the Supreme⁣ Court’s recess in June, it was determined ​that race-based admissions programs at Harvard University and the‌ University of North Carolina violated anti-discrimination laws. These ⁤cases were brought forward by Students for Fair Admissions, ‌who argued that these institutions unfairly considered race in their admissions processes, leading to the rejection of ‌highly qualified Asian-American and white⁣ applicants.

Secretary Cardona emphasized the⁤ importance of maintaining diversity in college admissions, ‍stating, “We know what has happened at colleges when individual states have banned affirmative action in the past. Fewer students of color applied, and fewer students of color were admitted. We cannot afford that kind of backpedaling on a national scale.”

While the Supreme Court’s decision has significantly⁢ impacted admissions processes at universities⁤ nationwide, some institutions ‍have indicated their intention to find loopholes in the ruling.

“Although this decision changes the landscape for admissions in⁢ higher education, it should not be used as an excuse to turn away from long-standing efforts to make those institutions more inclusive,” said associate attorney general Vanita Gupta at a news conference.

The Department of Education and the Department of Justice have published ⁤guidance outlining legal resources available to colleges and universities to achieve a diverse student ‌body. This includes considering a ⁤range of factors, including race and ethnicity, when making admissions⁣ decisions.

According to federal⁣ officials, the Supreme Court’s decision does not ⁤require institutions ‌to‌ ignore race when identifying prospective students for outreach and recruitment. However, it does prohibit providing targeted groups of prospective students with preference in the admissions process.

The guidance suggests various approaches for promoting diversity, such as offering affinity clubs with race-related‌ themes, considering how an applicant’s‌ race has shaped their personal experiences, and re-evaluating admissions preferences for students with legacy status or donor affiliation.

Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed the importance of ensuring access to higher education for students from diverse backgrounds, stating, “Ensuring ​access to higher education for students from different backgrounds is one of the most powerful tools we have to prepare graduates to lead​ an increasingly diverse nation and make real our country’s promise of opportunity for all.”

Students for Fair Admissions, the group that brought forward⁤ the​ lawsuits against ⁤Harvard‌ and the ⁤University of North ⁢Carolina, has not yet responded⁣ to ‍requests for comment.

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