ICYMI: Ranking Member Scott Hosted a Briefing on the Implications of “Students for Fair Admissions, Inc.” SCOTUS Case
WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and the Workforce, hosted a briefing with experts on the implications of the Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College.
Last fall, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments challenging the longstanding precedent that colleges and universities may consider race as one of many factors in their admissions process. The decisions the Court will issue sometime over the next two months could preserve the status quo, refine the use of race in admissions, eliminate it entirely, potentially impact other admissions preference considerations such as legacy, gender, and donor status, and invite further cases to examine the consideration of race in other aspects of federal law and impact.
In August 2022, Scott, in addition to 64 House Democrats, filed an amicus brief—in the case of Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College—urging the Supreme Court to uphold narrowly tailored race-conscious college admissions policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.
“It should go without saying that fostering a racially diverse campus is a compelling interest for our nation. It is a core component of the promise of higher education—that any student in this country can access a college degree and will get a decent education.
“Narrowly tailored college admissions practices that recognize race as one criterion for evaluating prospective students—out of many—are a key tool to fulfilling this promise and addressing persistent inequities in higher education.
“Such admissions policies not only support historically underserved students—research confirms that diverse campuses also provide all students with a quality, well-rounded education.
“Unfortunately, Republican lawsuits around the country challenging the policies of Harvard University and the University of North Carolina threaten our progress to provide equal access and diverse learning environments for students.
“I would be remiss if I did not point out that these cases have been bankrolled by the same individual who has brought multiple lawsuits to dismantle the Voting Rights Act.
“As it has for decades, the Supreme Court must continue to recognize that pursuing racially diverse campuses is both constitutional and in the compelling interest of our nation. These admissions policies are critical to achieving the promise of equal education in America, and we have the responsibility to protect them.
“Moreover, if the Supreme Court issues a decision that forces colleges and universities to reject the consideration of race as a criterion for current admissions policies, Congress will have an obligation to look at other facets in admissions that we know have racial implications and determine if they need to be re-examined as well."
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