NEW ORLEANS — The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down affirmative action in college admissions, declaring race cannot be a factor and forcing institutions of higher education to look for new ways to achieve diverse student bodies.
The court's conservative majority overturned admissions plans at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, the nation's oldest private and public colleges, respectively.
Chief Justice John Roberts said that for too long universities have “concluded, wrongly, that the touchstone of an individual’s identity is not challenges bested, skills built, or lessons learned but the color of their skin. Our constitutional history does not tolerate that choice.”
Justice Clarence Thomas — the nation's second Black justice, who had long called for an end to affirmative action — wrote separately that the decision “sees the universities’ admissions policies for what they are: rudderless, race-based preferences designed to ensure a particular racial mix in their entering classes.”
Here is a sampling of what leaders and diversity experts at some local colleges had to say about the decision:
Dr. Reynold Verret, President, Xavier University of Louisiana
Today, the Supreme Court ruled 6:3 to make unlawful the consideration of race in admission to colleges and universities. The likely result will be a decline in representation of under-represented students in many higher ed institutions.
Throughout the history of this nation to this very day, equity of educational opportunity and access has not been afforded to all Americans. This impoverishes the nation in depriving her of the talent manifest in the minds of so many.
Now is the moment to which we are called to imagine a way a way forward that assures equity and justice.
Statement from Dillard University
While Dillard University is disappointed in today’s Harvard/UNC decision by the Supreme Court, we strongly urge the higher education sector to work fervently and creatively on ensuring our campuses reflect the diversity of our nation and provide access to all who want to study.
The decision is especially disheartening considering that the
Court has previously acknowledged what we in the higher education space has known for decades, namely that, “a diverse student body promotes cross-racial understanding, helps break down racial stereotypes, and enables students to better understand persons of different races.” In prior decisions, the Court has also acknowledged that “student body diversity promotes learning outcomes and better prepares students for an increasingly diverse workforce and society.” The Court’s decision today has made it harder to achieve these essential educational objectives. Nevertheless, we hope that it
will lead to broad collaboration between institutions that have traditionally served a primarily white population and those serving minority populations.
Dillard University, as the oldest HBCU in Louisiana, remains committed to providing access to those impacted by societal barriers, whether such barriers are based on race, caste, or class. We were founded more than 150 years ago for the purpose of educating Black Americans and are steadfast in our
commitment to elevating Black Americans through a high quality education that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely and act courageously to make the world a better place.
We will continue to partner with Predominantly White Colleges and Universities, community colleges, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges, and high schools across the nation to ensure that this decision does not stifle opportunities for those who have been served through affirmative action programs. Additionally, we need employers to recommit to recruiting talent from Minority Serving Institutions and HBCUs like Dillard where the pool of talent will remain strong and disproportionately large.
We invite the entire Higher Education Community to do what Justice Jackson called us to do in her eloquent dissent, namely, “stare at racial disparity unblinkingly, and then do what evidence and experts tell us is required to level the playing field and march forward together, collectively striving to achieve true equality for all Americans.” We stand with those who remain committed to this goal.
Tulane President Mike Fitts
“A truly great university is defined by breakthrough discovery, world-class scholarship and transformative personal growth and enrichment.
Following the decision announced by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier today, we write to you to reaffirm the university’s commitment to diversity as an essential element of our commitment to excellence. Tulane must be an equitable, diverse and inclusive community that welcomes and supports a wide array of students, faculty and staff. The transformative value derived from a diverse university community enriches, energizes and informs our research, discovery and teaching in ways that benefit everyone.
Over the last several years, we have made great strides in fostering an environment where each member of our academic community can thrive. And we have much more work to do together.
We have been preparing for today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling with this commitment in mind. Now that the decision has been announced, we will be reviewing changes we may need to make to ensure we are achieving our goals of diversity and inclusivity to the fullest extent permitted by law. A working group, which is comprised of a wide array of experts from across the university, has been meeting regularly. Their efforts will inform our practices to ensure we continue to attract the best and brightest students.
We know the best research and learning occurs on a campus that reflects our multicultural world, which in turn has the most positive impact on improving our society. We will continue to welcome and support students, faculty and staff from the widest range of cultural and educational backgrounds.”
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