In August 2018, the ACLU of Massachusetts filed a friend-of-court brief supporting the right of universities, including Harvard, to consider race as one of many factors in a whole-person admissions process.
Edward Blum, an anti-affirmative action crusader and president of Students for Fair Admissions, is once again seeking the elimination of all race-conscious admissions practices. His lawsuit follows Fisher v. University of Texas, where the Supreme Court reaffirmed that diversity is a “compelling government interest,” permitting schools to consider race.
The ACLU argues a race-conscious admissions process can further a university’s academic freedom to assemble a diverse student body. According to the brief, appropriate consideration of race – as one of many identity characteristics in the admissions process – does not conflict with the principles of equal protection.
Blogs and Press:
- The Recorder: ‘Living while black’ incident at Smith far from resolved
- ACLU: In Defense of Affirmative Action in Higher Education
- ACLU of Massachusetts: ACLU Supports Colleges' Right to Promote Diversity
