In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has decided to terminate affirmative action programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, ending the admissions process’ systematic use of race as a factor.
On Thursday, the court ruled that the programs at both institutions are unlawful, violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution, siding with the anti-affirmative action group, Students for Fair Admissions, in its ruling. The decision is a win for conservatives who want ethnicity consideration entirely taken out of college entries. Race-conscious procedures typically ensure that Black, Hispanic, and other minority groups are welcomed on campuses. Getting rid of affirmative action measures could mean that underrepresented students could be denied more easily. The ruling overturned a 2003 court victory that determined nationality could be considered when reviewing applications.
Harvard and UNC have argued that limiting the consideration of race would result in a significant decrease in the enrollment of students from minority groups. These universities have long used specific procedures as just one factor in a variety of individualized evaluations for admission without quotas, which was allowed under prior Supreme Court laws.
Conservatives and Republicans have long argued that affirmative action was discriminatory within itself, as it gives precedence to people based on race instead of grades. Some also believe that policies to ensure equality within schools are no longer necessary since they argue the country has moved beyond the years of segregation.
The Supreme Court shut down the programs in a 6-3 vote.
