August 15, 2023
Round-up: Education Department Releases Guidance on Race-conscious Admissions Decision
The Departments of Education and Justice have jointly released a Dear Colleague letter to private and public colleges and universities regarding the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision on race-conscious admissions, offering resources and legal guidance on a number of issues that have been debated since the June 29 ruling. In the letter, colleges and universities are encouraged to thoroughly review and update their admissions policies to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s finding that considering race as a factor “in and of itself” was illegal.
The letter also stressed that considerations of how an applicant’s race has affected their individual experience could still be considered when making admissions decisions, and that the court did not deny the value of diverse student experiences on campus.
Below are links to the letter and a FAQ, and a sample of media coverage from across the country.
Dear Colleague Letter on Race-conscious Admissions
U.S. Department of Education (August 14, 2023)
FAQ Regarding the Supreme Court’s Decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard College and University of North Carolina
U.S. Department of Education (August 14, 2023)
Biden Administration Releases Guidance on Affirmative Action
Inside Higher Ed (August 15, 2023)
Colleges Want to Know More About You and Your ‘Identity’
The New York Times (August 14, 2023)
Feds Release Guidance in Wake of Supreme Court’s Ruling on Admissions
The Chronicle of Higher Education (August 14, 2023)
Colleges Can Still Consider Race in Admissions Within Limits, Biden Administration Says
The Wall Street Journal (August 14, 2023)
Biden Administration Urges Colleges to Pursue Racial Diversity Without Affirmative Action
The Associated Press (August 14, 2023)
Administration Urges Colleges to Pursue Diversity Despite Affirmative Action Ban
The New York Times (August 14, 2023)
Federal Guidance Shows How Colleges May Still Address Race In Admissions
The Washington Post (August 14, 2023)
With Affirmative Action Gone, Biden Administration Offers Tips for Colleges on Diversity
USA Today (August 14, 2023)
The letter also stressed that considerations of how an applicant’s race has affected their individual experience could still be considered when making admissions decisions, and that the court did not deny the value of diverse student experiences on campus.
Below are links to the letter and a FAQ, and a sample of media coverage from across the country.
Dear Colleague Letter on Race-conscious Admissions
U.S. Department of Education (August 14, 2023)
FAQ Regarding the Supreme Court’s Decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. Harvard College and University of North Carolina
U.S. Department of Education (August 14, 2023)
Biden Administration Releases Guidance on Affirmative Action
Inside Higher Ed (August 15, 2023)
Colleges Want to Know More About You and Your ‘Identity’
The New York Times (August 14, 2023)
Feds Release Guidance in Wake of Supreme Court’s Ruling on Admissions
The Chronicle of Higher Education (August 14, 2023)
Colleges Can Still Consider Race in Admissions Within Limits, Biden Administration Says
The Wall Street Journal (August 14, 2023)
Biden Administration Urges Colleges to Pursue Racial Diversity Without Affirmative Action
The Associated Press (August 14, 2023)
Administration Urges Colleges to Pursue Diversity Despite Affirmative Action Ban
The New York Times (August 14, 2023)
Federal Guidance Shows How Colleges May Still Address Race In Admissions
The Washington Post (August 14, 2023)
With Affirmative Action Gone, Biden Administration Offers Tips for Colleges on Diversity
USA Today (August 14, 2023)