Colleges Face New Challenges Over Race for Admissions

Few issues are as hotly-debated in the world of higher education admissions as the role of student applicants’ race. Supporters of using a student’s race as a determining factor say that considering such things is critical to balancing out historic discrimination and low numbers of minority students at the nation’s top universities. Trying to balance such historic discrimination with intentional efforts such as increased admission to colleges is one example of what is called “affirmative action.” Opponents of the practice argue that affirmative action in admissions is a form of racial discrimination and that college admission spots should be awarded on the basis of a student’s academic merit only.

Now, under pressure from the federal government, Texas Tech University’s medical school has decided to stop using race as a factor in its admissions process. Here, Election Central takes a closer look at this decision, as well as what it could mean for other schools with similar policies in place.

Why Now?

In 2004, a conservative organization called the Center for Equal Opportunity filed a complaint against Texas Tech University for what it claimed was a biased admissions policy. This led to a fourteen-year-long investigation by the Education Department’s Office on Civil Rights. Ultimately, this year, the Education Department put pressure on the university to end its use of race as an admissions factor. The school agreed.

Is This Legal?

In the historic 1978 case of the University of California v. Bakke, the Supreme Court ruled that schools are legally allowed to consider race as one factor in the admissions process. However, it can’t be the sole criteria. Also, it’s illegal for schools to use a quota system, meaning that they can’t require that a certain number of students from a particular racial or ethnic group be accepted. However, the use of affirmative action at universities continues to be challenged regularly in the judicial system.

The Role of Government

The Texas Tech decision is the first time that the federal government and a university have worked together to reach an agreement on the controversial issue of race and admissions. Those who support the decision are excited to see the Trump administration making good on its promise to end affirmative action and what they see as unfair admissions practices.

But supporters of affirmative action are concerned that the federal government is overstepping its bounds and using its weight to put pressure on the university. They argue that, because white students often enjoy advantages in their educational background and standardized test preparation that students of color often don’t, affirmative action policies are necessary to give everyone a fair shot and to ensure diversity at U.S. universities.

For example, due in part to the consideration of race as one component in admission decisions, the percentage of Hispanic students at Texas Tech’s medical school went from 9 percent in 2004 to 16 percent in 2018. The university stated that these policies were part of a larger goal to bring medicine to traditionally underserved communities and to better serve racially diverse patients.

What Happens Next?

The Texas Tech decision was effective on March 1, and set a deadline of September 1 for the university to revise all of its admissions and recruiting materials in accordance with the new policy. It remains to be seen how this decision will affect admissions procedures at other universities, as well as job hiring practices.

What Do You Think? In your opinion, should race and ethnicity be used as one of many defined factor when determining admission to U.S. colleges and universities? Why or why not? Please remember to be respectful with your answer.