WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to decide whether race can continue to be a factor in college admissions, a contentious issue that has been debated for decades and has the potential to further divide the nation along racial lines..
The court will hear arguments in the fall in a pair of cases involving race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. The justices will consider whether these programs violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which prohibits states from denying any person “within their jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”.
The Trump administration has urged the court to overturn a 1978 ruling that allowed race to be considered as one factor among many in college admissions decisions. The administration argues that such programs are unfair and perpetuate racial discrimination..
“This case presents the court with an opportunity to end the use of racial preferences in college admissions,” Solicitor General Noel Francisco wrote in a brief to the court. “The time has come to reject the use of racial classifications in higher education.”.
Defenders of affirmative action say that race-conscious admissions programs are necessary to create a more diverse student body and to address the legacy of racial discrimination in American education. They argue that these programs have helped to increase the number of minority students on college campuses and have created a more inclusive and equitable educational environment..
“Racial diversity on campus is essential to the educational experience of all students,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, president of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. “It prepares students to live and work in a diverse society and to understand the different perspectives and experiences of others.”.
The Supreme Court has upheld the use of race in college admissions twice before, in 1978 and 2003. But the court’s composition has changed significantly since then, with the addition of two conservative justices nominated by President Trump. That has led some observers to believe that the court may be more likely to overturn its previous rulings on affirmative action..
If the court does overturn these rulings, it would be a major setback for affirmative action in higher education. It would also likely reignite a national debate about the role of race in American society..
The cases before the court are:.
Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University.
Edward Blum, a conservative activist, brought this lawsuit on behalf of Asian-American students who were denied admission to Harvard. Blum argues that Harvard’s admissions program discriminates against Asian-Americans by giving preferential treatment to black and Hispanic students..
Fisher v. University of North Carolina.
Abigail Fisher, a white student, brought this lawsuit after she was denied admission to the University of North Carolina. Fisher argues that the university’s admissions program discriminates against white students by giving preferential treatment to black and Hispanic students..
The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in these cases in the fall. A decision is likely to be issued by the end of the court’s term in June 2023..
