U.S. Colleges Navigate Diversity Challenges Post-Affirmative Action Ban

 

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to prohibit affirmative action in college admissions in June 2023, many higher education institutions are facing significant declines in enrollment among Black, Latino, and Indigenous students. Recent data indicates a troubling trend: elite private universities like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University, and Stanford have all reported sharp declines in first-year enrollment of students from these demographics.

Notably, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a leading public university, experienced a decrease of at least 25% in Black student enrollment and a 7% drop in Latino student enrollment since the ban took effect. This decline has sparked urgent discussions about how universities can enhance campus diversity in light of the new admissions landscape.

In response to these challenges, several institutions, including Carleton College, Occidental College, Virginia Tech, and Wesleyan University, have decided to eliminate the consideration of legacy status in their admissions processes. Legacy admissions often grant preference to applicants who are related to alumni, a practice that has come under scrutiny for perpetuating inequities. Alison Byerly, president of Carleton College, stated that the college aims to signal its commitment to diversity and inclusivity by prioritizing candidates based on merit rather than familial connections.

However, experts caution that removing legacy admissions alone is not a comprehensive solution to increasing diversity. Dominique Baker, an associate professor of education at the University of Delaware, noted that while eliminating legacy preferences is ethically commendable, it may not significantly alter the demographic makeup of enrolled students. The historical roots of legacy admissions can be traced back to Ivy League institutions in the 1920s, where they were initially used to limit Jewish enrollment.

Despite the ban on legacy admissions at some institutions, results have been mixed. At Carleton College, the proportion of admitted students with legacy connections fell slightly from 15.7% to 13.6% for the 2024-25 academic year, but this change may not reflect a significant shift in admissions demographics. Moreover, Carleton observed a drop in overall student enrollment from 39% to 33% for students of color, which Byerly attributed to multiple factors, including the Supreme Court's ruling and the challenges associated with the federal financial aid rollout.

Similarly, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, which also ended legacy admissions, reported that about 21% of its admitted students still have family ties to the university, indicating little change in this demographic. Wesleyan University experienced a slight increase in Black and Latino first-year students following the end of its legacy admissions program, but the overall impact remains uncertain.

Experts emphasize that legacy admissions predominantly favor affluent, white applicants and often hinder opportunities for capable students of color. Julie Park, an education professor at the University of Maryland, pointed out that historical discrimination has limited access for many students of color, complicating the legacy admissions landscape. Kahlenberg highlighted that reserving spots for legacy students exacerbates inequalities in admissions processes.

To genuinely enhance diversity, universities must proactively engage in recruiting diverse candidates and critically assess other elements of their admissions processes that may inadvertently disadvantage students of color. This includes re-evaluating the weight given to standardized testing and Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which are often less accessible to underrepresented students.

As institutions experiment with new strategies to attract a diverse student body, experts caution that these efforts will take time to yield significant results. While universities are striving to align their admissions practices with legal requirements, they remain hesitant to publicly share their methods to avoid potential legal repercussions.

In conclusion, the landscape of college admissions is shifting dramatically, and institutions must navigate these changes thoughtfully to ensure equitable representation on their campuses. As the education community grapples with these challenges, the long-term effects of the Supreme Court's decision on student diversity remain to be seen.