Applicants, Colleges Want to Know More About You and Your ‘Identity’
New York TimesAug 01, 2023
The Facts
On Monday, the Education and Justice departments issued guidance on how colleges and universities can promote diversity on campus after a SCOTUS decision ended race-based affirmative action in higher education.
Seven pages of questions and answers, along with a "Dear Colleague" letter released by the departments, ask colleges to identify barriers underrepresented students face in college admissions and reexamine legacy and donor preferences.
The Spin
Right narrative
The Biden admin. has felt the need to guide colleges on how to skirt the law, as liberals refuse to part with their unpopular and illegal ideological strategy of affirmative action. SCOTUS clearly ruled that the application of racial proxy would violate applicants' rights and undermine equality. Colleges and universities should focus less on political posturing and more on education.
Left narrative
Colleges and universities still have a right to pursue a diverse student body, and the current guidance merely affirms what all parties in this dispute have accepted. Colleges want well-rounded individuals who have the potential to make strong students and future leaders — the experience of being part of a racial minority in the US is no doubt part of this assessment. A holistic, whole-person admissions and outreach process can help elevate underrepresented students from backgrounds of disadvantage, ultimately leading to more equitable opportunities for all.
