Current:Home > InvestEducation Department investigating Harvard's legacy admission policies -Thrive Capital Insights
Education Department investigating Harvard's legacy admission policies
View
Date:2025-04-18 02:08:00
Harvard University's practice of legacy admissions is being probed by the U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, a spokesperson for the agency told ABC News.
The investigation comes a month following the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision on Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard that struck down race-based affirmative action for colleges and universities.
Lawyers for Civil Rights filed the complaint against Harvard earlier this month contending that preferential treatment is given to children of wealthy donors and alumni.
"Nearly 70% of Harvard’s donor-related and legacy applicants are white, and they receive a substantial boost based on their status. Donor-related applicants are nearly 7 times more likely to be admitted than non-donor-related applicants, and legacies are nearly 6 times more likely to be admitted," the complaint alleged.
MORE: Legacy college admissions under scrutiny following SCOTUS ruling
Lawyers for Civil Rights further contended 28% of Harvard's 2019 graduating class were legacies.
"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," according to the complaint.
The Department of Education declined to give more information about their investigation but said it involved Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin.
Nicole Rura, a spokeswoman for Harvard, said in a statement that the school is reviewing "aspects" of its admissions policies following the Supreme Court decision.
"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," she said in a statement.
MORE: Wesleyan University ends legacy admissions following affirmative action ruling
Rura added that the school's administration is "redoubling our efforts to encourage students from many different backgrounds to apply for admission."
Last week, Wesleyan University's president announced that he would be ending legacy admissions for the school.
"In the wake of this [Supreme Court] decision where the court said you can't use the affiliation of an applicant with a racial group. Well, I don't think you should be able to use it with affiliation with your alumni group," Wesleyan University President Michael Roth told ABC News' "Start Here."
veryGood! (814)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Far-right populist emerges as biggest vote-getter in Argentina’s presidential primary voting
- 76ers shut down James Harden trade talks, determined to bring him back, per report
- Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian Showcases Baby Bump in Garden Walk Selfie
- US auto safety agency seeks information from Tesla on fatal Cybertruck crash and fire in Texas
- What we learned from NFL preseason Week 1
- Watch this: Bangkok couple tries to rescue cat from canal with DIY rope and a bucket
- Small Kansas newspaper says co-owner, 98, collapsed and died after police raid
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Social Security checks face $17,400 cut if program isn't shored up, study says
Ranking
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Bachelor Nation's Jade Roper Shares She's Experiencing a Missed Miscarriage
- 3 Maryland vacationers killed and 3 more hurt in house fire in North Carolina’s Outer Banks
- They were alone in a fight to survive. Maui residents had moments to make life-or-death choices
- Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear ready to campaign for Harris-Walz after losing out for spot on the ticket
- 'I wish we could play one more time': Michigan camp for grieving kids brings sobs, healing
- Travis Barker's New Tattoo Proves Time Flies With Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian
- Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov, diagnosed with brain tumor, dies at 21
Recommendation
Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.
Funyuns and flu shots? Gas station company ventures into urgent care
Barbie bonanza: 'Barbie' tops box office for fourth week straight with $33.7 M
Prosecutors have started presenting Georgia election investigation to grand jury
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Why Idina Menzel Says Playing Lea Michele’s Mom on Glee “Wasn’t Great” for Her Ego
John Legend and Chrissy Teigen's Baby Girl Esti Says Dada in Adorable Video
‘No Labels’ movement says it could offer bipartisan presidential ticket in 2024