The First Post-Affirmative Action Class Enters College
Sep 6, 2024
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David Leonhardt, a senior writer at The Times and the force behind The Morning newsletter, dives into the fallout from the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action. He discusses the sharp decline in Black and Hispanic student enrollment at elite colleges like MIT, raising alarms about future diversity. Leonhardt also highlights the unexpected rise in economic diversity among students and the shift towards evaluating individual life experiences in admissions. The conversation reveals the complex challenges institutions face in maintaining equitable diversity amidst legal constraints.
The Supreme Court's decision to ban affirmative action has drastically reduced the enrollment of Black and Hispanic students at elite colleges.
Colleges are now prioritizing economic diversity in admissions, resulting in more low-income students being admitted despite racial diversity concerns.
Deep dives
Impact of Affirmative Action Ban on College Demographics
The Supreme Court's decision to ban affirmative action has significantly altered the demographics of college campuses, particularly among elite institutions. Initial enrollment statistics indicate a steep decline in Black students, exemplified by MIT's drop from 15% to 5%, while Hispanic students also saw a decrease from 16% to 11%. In contrast, the proportion of Asian students rose, highlighting the anticipated shifts criticized by affirmative action advocates. However, some schools like Duke and Yale maintained stable Black student percentages, suggesting a more nuanced outcome across different colleges.
Economic Diversity on the Rise
Despite concerns over racial diversity, recent data shows that economic diversity among college students has improved following the affirmative action ban. Institutions like UVA and Duke reported increased shares of Pell Grant recipients, indicating a rise in the enrollment of lower-income students. This shift appears to stem from colleges focusing on individual experiences and life challenges presented in application essays rather than strictly on race. Consequently, institutions may be admitting a more economically diverse student body without the explicit advantages previously granted to certain racial groups.
Potential for Future Racial and Economic Inequities
The long-term implications of the Supreme Court ruling remain complex, especially for historically marginalized groups such as Black and Native American students. While some universities are adapting their admissions processes to address economic factors, this may not fully compensate for the possible decline in racial diversity. Additionally, questions linger about whether colleges can effectively design targeted strategies to rectify historic injustices without directly considering race. The situation suggests a challenging balancing act for institutions aiming to enhance diversity in both racial and economic terms in the wake of these legal changes.
The Supreme Court’s decision to ban affirmative action last summer was expected to drastically change the demographics of college campuses around the country.
David Leonhardt, who has written about affirmative action for The Times, explains the extent and nature of that change as the new academic year gets underway.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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