Supreme Court ends affirmative action in higher education, rules against Harvard and University of North Carolina

Supreme Court issues historic ruling declaring race-aware admissions policies unconstitutional

In a highly anticipated decision, the Supreme Court declared on Thursday that the race-conscious admissions policies of Harvard College and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitution. With a 6-3 majority decision, the Court effectively ends affirmative action in higher education. The decision is expected to have far-reaching effects on campuses across the country, as universities struggle to maintain diversity while complying with the new legal framework.

 

According to the Supreme Court, Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the Equal Protection Clause.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion, which was joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recused herself from the case while Justice Sonia Sotomayor read aloud her dissent, the first time a dissenting justice has done so this term.

Roberts argued that the admissions programs of Harvard and the University of North Carolina could not be combined to guarantee the same protection clause. He criticized both programs for lacking sufficiently focused and measurable objectives to warrant the use of race, as well as for including racial stereotyping and a lack of meaningful end points. The Court emphasized that the evaluation of applicants should be based on their personal experiences rather than their caste.

 

The controversial decision sparked debate on affirmative action and diversity in education

The Supreme Court's decision marks a significant shift in affirmative action policies and upholds decades of precedent. Although Roberts' majority opinion did not explicitly overturn the Court's previous rulings allowing race to be considered in admissions, Justice Thomas wrote in his concurring opinion that the 2003 case of Grutter v. Bollinger, which allowed schools to The breed that was allowed to be considered has been effectively ruled out. The decision has raised concerns among critics, who fear that other long-standing precedents may also be at risk.

Affirmative action has long been a controversial issue, with proponents arguing that it is important for increasing diversity and addressing racial discrimination, while opponents claim that it perpetuates racial discrimination against non-minorities. The Supreme Court ruling reflects a conservative majority that has been reshaped by three justices appointed by former President Donald Trump.

Universities that are using race-conscious admissions programs have warned that the decision would lead to a significant decline in the representation of black and Hispanic students, especially at elite institutions. More than 40% of universities and 60% of selective schools currently consider race to some degree in their admissions decisions.

President Biden expressed his dissent in response to the decision and condemned the court's rejection of affirmative action in higher education. He emphasized the importance of racial diversity, saying that it not only strengthens the colleges, but the nation as a whole. Biden accepted the decision but insisted it would not change the core values America stands for.

The decision has sparked renewed debate on the role of affirmative action in promoting diversity and equality in education. Advocates argue that race should be considered as part of the overall evaluation of candidates, while critics maintain that race-blind admissions should be the standard, as they believe affirmative action perpetuates racial inequality.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court's landmark decision to end affirmative action in higher education, the decision against Harvard and the University of North Carolina, has important implications for campuses across the country. The decision, which claims that race-conscious admissions policies violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, marks a change in the Court's stance on affirmative action. The decision has sparked a passionate debate over the future of diversity in education and the balance between equal opportunity and the elimination of racial preferences. As universities grapple with this new legal framework, the long-term impact on the composition of student bodies and access to higher education remains uncertain.