New Policy Requires Colleges to Prove Race Not Considered in Admissions
President Donald Trump has introduced a new policy requiring colleges to submit detailed data to demonstrate that race is not factored into their admissions processes. This move comes in response to the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision, which ruled against the use of affirmative action in college admissions. However, the ruling allowed for the consideration of how race has shaped students’ lives if they voluntarily share this information in their personal essays.
The administration argues that some institutions are still using personal statements and other indirect methods to consider race, which conservatives view as a form of illegal discrimination. This policy aligns with previous efforts by the Trump administration to challenge what it perceives as liberal bias in higher education, particularly at elite universities. For instance, the new policy mirrors settlement agreements reached with Brown University and Columbia University, where the schools agreed to provide data on applicants’ race, GPA, and test scores, among other details.
Concerns Over Transparency and Compliance
Trump’s memo emphasizes the need for greater transparency in college admissions. It directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to require colleges to report more detailed data, including the race and gender of applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students. The National Center for Education Statistics will collect this information, according to the Department of Education. If colleges fail to comply, McMahon can take action under Title IV of the Higher Education Act, which governs federal financial aid for students.
However, the practical impact of this executive order remains uncertain. Jon Fansmith, senior vice president of government relations at the American Council on Education, notes that current federal law already prohibits colleges from asking about race during the admissions process. He suggests that while the policy may not have significant legal consequences, it continues to fuel the administration’s narrative that certain students are being given unfair advantages in admissions.
Impact on College Diversity
The Supreme Court’s ruling has led to varied outcomes across different institutions. Some schools, such as MIT and Amherst College, saw sharp declines in the percentage of Black students in their incoming classes. In contrast, schools like Yale, Princeton, and the University of Virginia experienced minimal changes in diversity levels.
Colleges have responded by incorporating more essays or personal statements into their admissions processes, a strategy encouraged by the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Roberts noted that while race cannot be directly considered, applicants can discuss how it has influenced their lives if tied to qualities like character or unique abilities.
Alternative Strategies for Achieving Diversity
In the absence of affirmative action, many colleges have explored alternative strategies to maintain diversity. These include prioritizing low-income families, admitting top students from every community within their state, and implementing programs that guarantee admission to high-achieving students from all backgrounds.
For example, the University of California system, after banning affirmative action in 1996, faced significant drops in Black and Hispanic enrollments at its most selective campuses. The system later invested over $500 million in programs aimed at supporting low-income and first-generation students. It also launched a program offering admission to the top 9% of students from each high school, though this approach had limited success in boosting racial diversity.
Similarly, the University of Michigan shifted focus to low-income students after voters rejected affirmative action in 2006. Despite these efforts, the share of Black and Hispanic undergraduates has not fully recovered, with Black enrollment continuing to decline.
Ongoing Challenges in Maintaining Diversity
The challenges of maintaining diversity without affirmative action remain complex. While some strategies have shown promise, others have fallen short of expectations. The ongoing debate highlights the difficulty of balancing diversity goals with the legal restrictions imposed by recent court rulings. As colleges navigate these challenges, the role of race in admissions continues to be a contentious and evolving issue.