The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into Harvard University’s policy on legacy admissions after a group claimed the process was discriminatory.
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Education informed Lawyers for Civil Rights about the investigation into the group’s allegation. The group alleges that Harvard practices discriminates by incorporating donor and legacy preferences for admitting undergraduates.
“Qualified and highly deserving applicants of color are harmed as a result, as admissions slots are given instead to the overwhelmingly white applicants who benefit from Harvard’s legacy and donor preferences,” the group said. “Even worse, this preferential treatment has nothing to do with an applicant’s merit. Instead, it is an unfair and unearned benefit that is conferred solely based on the family that the applicant is born into.”
On July 3rd, community groups representing Black and Latino individuals filed a complaint. The civil rights organization says that students with family ties to Harvard have a higher chance of securing admission. These legacy-connected students also constitute a substantial portion of the incoming class with approximately 70% of them being white.
Nevertheless, a Harvard representative stated that the institution has been examining its admissions policies to ensure alignment with legal requirements.
“Our review includes examination of a range of data and information. Along with learnings from Harvard’s efforts over the past decade to strengthen our ability to attract and support a diverse intellectual community that is fundamental to our pursuit of academic excellence,” the spokesperson said.
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