EDU-528 Diversity and Culture Case Study
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Jan 9, 2024
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STUDENTS FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS, INC. v. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF
HARVARD COLLEGE: A Case Study
Erin L. Krueger
College of Education, Grand Canyon University
EDU-528: Laws and Ethics in Student Affairs
Dr. Jeremi Smith
November 22, 2023
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STUDENTS FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS, INC. v. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF
HARVARD COLLEGE: A Case Study
The legal case of STUDENTS FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS, INC. v. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE, citation 600 US_ (2023), was a long court case that affected all higher education institutions. The Students of Fair Administration (SFFA) sued Harvard College, alleging that their admissions favor white students over Asian-American students. The SFFA stated that Harvard’s admissions process violated Title IX of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, which is why they sought out legal justice. Harvard argued that there was a requirement for race in their admissions process, to ensure that there was not a dramatic minority
drop off with their enrollment of students (
STUDENTS FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS, INC. v. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
, 2023). This case was filed in 2014, and was initially ruled in favor of Harvard College. According to the judge, Harvard’s admissions process looks at students as individuals and that race is just a small factor when deciding admittance into the higher education institute. SFFA then appealed the court’s decision, bringing it to the supreme court (
Supreme Court Ruling Overview – Higher Ed | College Board
, n.d.).
In June of 2023, the Supreme Court used the legal case of STUDENTS FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS, INC. v. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE to make the ruling to significantly limit race in the decision-making process of admissions within higher education institutes. This ruling did not only affect Harvard College, but many other colleges and
universities. After much consideration, the Court came to this decision based on the idea that by having race as a category to admission, has negative effects and cause stereotypes to be brought to the surface (
Supreme Court Ruling Overview – Higher Ed | College Board
, n.d.). The Court 2
also believed that the institution did not have a substantial consideration of ending racial differences and status (
Supreme Court Ruling Overview – Higher Ed | College Board
, n.d.). Like the laws and policies that were evident in this case, the laws and policies that govern
diversity and cultural inclusion in higher education institutes include, but are not limited to, Title IX and the Fourteenth Amendment and the Equal Protection Clause (
Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. V. President and Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. ___ (2023)
, n.d.). Title IX is a federal law that protects college students from discrimination, even within admission. (U.S. Department of Education, 2021). The Equal Protection Clause protects all students to be allowed equal opportunities nor deny students equal protection of the laws (Constitution Annotated, 2023). Within this particular court case, both laws were evident. SFFA believed that there was discrimination against students, which hindered their equal opportunity to gain acceptance and admittance to the university of Harvard. These laws definitely play a role within other higher education institutes as well.
As addressed in this case, nondiscrimination pertains to diversity and culture within higher education campuses. This case brought to light how students are admitted to college university and gives students all an equal chance to enter admissions. Race is no longer a factor or category when gaining entrance into a college university. This allows for students to gain acceptance based on their qualifications rather than their race. It eliminates discrimination of students on many different levels.
As stated earlier, there were some legal policy limitations that played a role in this case. For example, Title IX and the Fourteenth Amendment were both huge factors in the decision of this case. Both showed how there was discrimination of students in some way shape or form. The
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idea that students were not given a fair chance, because of race, proves that there were policy limitations. Diversity, along with cultural hindrance definitely played a role in the decision. As a student affairs professional, the decision of the STUDENTS FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS, INC. v. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE will affect my role at higher education institutes. Whether working with administration and admissions in a higher education department, students need to be looked at as individuals rather than a statistic to
fill a quota based on race. The influence of this case will guide all student affairs departments to all universities and will influence the work of all student affairs professionals. The decision of this case set a precedent for all higher education admissions throughout the nation.
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References
Constitution Annotated. (2023). Fourteenth Amendment | Browse | Constitution Annotated | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
. Constitution.congress.gov. https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/amendment-14/
Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, 600 U.S. ___ (2023)
. (n.d.). Justia Law. https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/600/20-1199/
STUDENTS FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS, INC. v. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD
COLLEGE, (SUPREME COURT June 23, 2023). https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/20-1199_hgdj.pdf
Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. (n.d.). Oyez
. Retrieved November 21, 2023, from https://www.oyez.org/cases/2022/20-1199
Supreme Court Ruling Overview – Higher Ed | College Board
. (n.d.). Highered.collegeboard.org.
https://highered.collegeboard.org/recruitment-admissions/policies-research/access-
diversity/2023-scotus-decision/overview
U.S. Department of Education. (2021). Title IX and Sex Discrimination
. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/tix_dis.html
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