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The First Post-Affirmative Action Class Enters College

By The New York Times

In this episode of The Daily, the impacts of the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action are explored as the first post-ban class enters college. Elite schools like MIT and Amherst have seen sharp declines in Black and Hispanic enrollment, while others like Duke and Yale maintained previous levels.

While racial diversity has decreased at many institutions, economic diversity is rising, with some colleges potentially considering socioeconomic status as a proxy for race. The podcast delves into the challenges colleges face in maintaining racial diversity without explicitly factoring race into admissions. It also examines affirmative action's origins and intent to address inequities faced by Black Americans specifically.

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The First Post-Affirmative Action Class Enters College

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The First Post-Affirmative Action Class Enters College

1-Page Summary

Initial Declines in Minority Enrollment

Elite colleges like MIT and Amherst have faced sharp drops in Black and Hispanic student enrollment in the year following the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action. Sanger-Katz reports MIT's share of Black students plummeted from 15% to 5%, while Hispanic student representation fell from 16% to 11%. Similarly, Amherst saw its Black student percentage decline from 15% to 6%, and Hispanic student share drop from 12% to 8%.

Varying Impacts Across Colleges

However, the demographic shifts haven't been uniform. Schools like Duke, Yale, and Princeton did not experience decreases in their Black and Hispanic enrollment, suggesting nuances in how the ban has impacted different institutions. Moreover, categorization of multiracial students may magnify perceived declines across racial groups.

Rising Economic Diversity

While racial diversity has declined at many colleges, economic diversity is increasing. UVA's share of Pell Grant recipients jumped from 16% to 24%, and Duke saw an increase from 17% to 22%. Sanger-Katz notes colleges may be considering socioeconomic factors more heavily, potentially using class as a proxy for race.

However, the wealth gap means economic diversity doesn't necessarily equate to racial diversity. Colleges could face legal challenges if perceived as using socioeconomic status to indirectly maintain racial targets.

Challenges in Maintaining Racial Diversity

Without being able to broadly consider race, colleges must evaluate applicants' individual circumstances. Sanger-Katz says colleges worry about lawsuits accusing them of considering race illicitly.

Colleges are shifting to more subjective assessments focused on personal experiences. Outreach to underrepresented communities and expanded financial aid are also strategies being used to indirectly boost diversity.

Affirmative Action's Origins

Barbaro and Sanger-Katz contextualize that affirmative action was originally intended to address centuries of oppression and exclusion faced by Black Americans specifically. The ban may exacerbate inequities the policy aimed to rectify.

While some colleges have seen rebounds in Black student enrollment, targeted approaches to achieving racial diversity remain legally uncertain.

1-Page Summary

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Counterarguments

  • The decline in minority enrollment at elite colleges may not solely be attributed to the ban on affirmative action; other factors such as changes in application patterns, recruitment efforts, or broader social and economic trends could also play a role.
  • The increase in economic diversity might be a positive development, suggesting that colleges are successfully reaching a broader range of socioeconomically disadvantaged students, which could also benefit racial minorities in the long term.
  • The lack of uniform demographic shifts across colleges suggests that institutional policies and practices can significantly influence enrollment patterns, and that some colleges may have effective strategies that others could learn from.
  • The use of socioeconomic status as a proxy for race in admissions could be seen as a more equitable approach, focusing on economic disadvantage rather than race per se, which some might argue is a better measure of the barriers students have faced.
  • The legal challenges anticipated by colleges using socioeconomic status as a proxy for race might not materialize or be upheld if the colleges can demonstrate that their policies are not designed to circumvent the ban on racial considerations but rather to promote broader access and opportunity.
  • The focus on individual circumstances in college admissions, rather than broad racial categories, could lead to a more nuanced and holistic understanding of each applicant, which some might argue is a fairer and more individualized approach.
  • The original intent of affirmative action to address historical oppression faced by Black Americans does not necessarily preclude the development of new methods to achieve diversity that are in line with current legal frameworks.
  • The legal uncertainty surrounding targeted approaches to achieving racial diversity might encourage colleges to innovate in their outreach and support strategies, potentially leading to more effective and inclusive practices.
  • Rebounds in Black student enrollment at some colleges might indicate that the effects of the affirmative action ban are temporary or can be mitigated through other means, suggesting that colleges can adapt to new legal realities while still promoting diversity.

Actionables

  • You can support racial diversity in higher education by donating to scholarship funds that specifically aid underrepresented students. By contributing to these scholarships, you're directly increasing the financial resources available to students who might otherwise be unable to afford college, thus helping to maintain diversity in the face of policy changes that affect affirmative action.
  • You can volunteer as a mentor for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds to help them navigate the college application process. By sharing your knowledge and experience, you can empower these students to present their best selves in their applications, potentially increasing their chances of being admitted to top colleges.
  • You can encourage local businesses and community leaders to sponsor college prep workshops for economically disadvantaged students. By fostering partnerships that provide resources for SAT/ACT prep, essay writing, and application counseling, you're contributing to leveling the playing field for students who lack access to these services, indirectly supporting diversity in college admissions.

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The First Post-Affirmative Action Class Enters College

The immediate impacts of the affirmative action ban on college demographics

In the first academic year following the Supreme Court's 2023 decision to ban race-based affirmative action, elite colleges are observing and reporting notable shifts in their student body demographics.

Elite colleges have reported significant declines in the enrollment of Black and Hispanic students since the Supreme Court banned race-based affirmative action.

Elite institutions, like MIT, have experienced marked declines in the enrollment figures of certain minority groups. Specifically, MIT saw its share of Black students plummet from 15% to a mere 5%. Similarly, the representation of Hispanic students dropped from 16% to 11%. These statistics signal a considerable change from the diversity levels these colleges had maintained in prior years.

Amherst College also observed significant drops in minority representation. The share of Black students shrank from 15% down to 6%, while the Hispanic student percentage declined from 12% to 8%.

However, the demographic shifts have not been uniform across all colleges.

Contrasting these declines, some universities have managed to sustain their diversity numbers. Schools such as Duke, Yale, and Princeton did not report a decrease in their shares of Black and Hispanic students, showcasing that the response to the affirmative action ban is not universally distributed among all top-tier colleges.

Moreover, there are nuances in the reporting; some of these declines might ...

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The immediate impacts of the affirmative action ban on college demographics

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Counterarguments

  • The reported declines in minority enrollment at elite colleges may not solely be attributed to the ban on race-based affirmative action; other factors such as changes in application patterns, financial aid policies, or recruitment strategies could also play a role.
  • The data from MIT and Amherst College may not be representative of all elite institutions, as evidenced by the stable diversity numbers at Duke, Yale, and Princeton, suggesting that institutional policies and practices can mitigate the impact of the affirmative action ban.
  • The decline in enrollment figures for Black and Hispanic students might be temporary as colleges adapt to the new legal landscape and develop alternative strategies for promoting diversity.
  • The categorization of multiracial students is complex, and the reported statistics might not accurately reflect the true diversity of the student body if the categorization process is inconsistent.
  • The increase in Asian student enrollment at MIT could be seen as evidence that the affirmative action ban has allowed for a different type of diversity, which might be more reflective of the academic qualifications of applicants.
  • The ...

Actionables

  • You can support diversity in higher education by contributing to scholarship funds aimed at underrepresented groups. By donating to or creating a scholarship, you directly assist students from demographics that have seen declining enrollment numbers, helping to counteract the trend. For example, if you're passionate about increasing Hispanic representation, you might fund a scholarship for Hispanic students in STEM fields.
  • Engage with local high school students through mentorship to encourage and prepare them for college applications. By volunteering as a mentor, you provide guidance and resources to students who might not otherwise consider applying to elite colleges. This could involve helping them with their essays, SAT prep, or understanding financial aid options, thereby potentially increasing the diversity of applicants.
  • Advocate for holistic admissions ...

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The First Post-Affirmative Action Class Enters College

The potential reasons for and implications of increased economic diversity

Recent trends indicate that while racial diversity has declined at many colleges, economic diversity is on the rise, with implications for socio-economic representation and the future of affirmative action policies.

Increasing Economic Diversity at Universities

Schools like the University of Virginia and Duke have seen significant increases in the share of students receiving Pell Grants, which go to students from the bottom half of the income distribution.

Universities have reported notable increases in the economic diversity of their student bodies. For instance, the University of Virginia (UVA) saw the percentage of students receiving Pell Grants, which are awarded to students from the bottom half of the income distribution, jump from 16% to 24% over the last year. Similarly, at Duke University, there was an increase in Pell Grant recipients from 17% to 22%.

This trend may be driven by colleges placing more emphasis on applicants' life experiences and socioeconomic factors in the admissions process, rather than just race.

The reason for this shift may be that colleges are increasingly considering socioeconomic factors and life experiences during the admissions process, potentially using class as a proxy for race. This approach could create a more economically diverse class and, as an indirect result, lead to increased racial diversity.

Economic Diversity and Racial Representation

The increase in economic diversity does not necessarily translate to maintaining racial diversity.

However, this approach does not guarantee the maintenance of racial diversity. The wealth gap between racial groups in the U.S. means that economic affirmative action might not accurately capture racial diversity. For instance, the number of upper-income Black and Hispanic students has declined at institutions such as MIT, where lower-income students of various races are being admitted in place of upper-income minority student ...

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The potential reasons for and implications of increased economic diversity

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Clarifications

  • Affirmative action policies aim to promote diversity and equal opportunities, traditionally focusing on race. The rise in economic diversity at universities has led some institutions to consider socioeconomic factors alongside race in admissions. This shift may impact how affirmative action policies are implemented in the future, potentially altering the criteria used to promote diversity in higher education. Legal challenges could arise if socioeconomic factors are seen as a workaround to maintain racial diversity targets under affirmative action.
  • Using class as a proxy for race in college admissions means that colleges may consider an applicant's socioeconomic background and life experiences as indicators of the challenges they may have faced due to their race. This approach aims to indirectly increase racial diversity by admitting students from diverse economic backgrounds. However, it is important to note that while economic diversity can help address some disparities, it may not fully capture the complexities of racial diversity and the unique obstacles faced by different racial groups. Colleges may use economic indicators to promote diversity without explicitly considering race to navigate legal challenges related to affirmative action policies.
  • Maintaining racial diversity alongside increasing economic diversity can be challenging due to the wealth disparities among different racial groups. Economic affirmative action may not fully capture the diversity of racial backgrounds, potentially leading to a decline in the representation of upper-income minority students. Colleges may face legal scrutiny if they are perceived to be using socioeconomic factors as a way to indirectly maintain racial diversity targets. This issue is complex and requires careful consideration to balance economic and racial diversity effectively.
  • Using socioeconomic factors in college admissions can raise legal concerns when it is perceived as a way to indirectly maintain racial diversity targets. This practice may face challenges related to affirmative action laws and equal protection principles. Colleges m ...

Counterarguments

  • Economic diversity initiatives may not fully address the systemic barriers that contribute to racial disparities in higher education.
  • Focusing on socioeconomic status alone could overlook the unique challenges faced by racial minorities, regardless of their economic background.
  • Increases in Pell Grant recipients at specific universities may not be representative of national trends in higher education.
  • The correlation between increased economic diversity and the use of life experiences in admissions processes is not necessarily causal; other factors could be influencing these trends.
  • The assumption that socioeconomic factors are used as a proxy for race in admissions could be an oversimplification of the complex methods used to evaluate ...

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The First Post-Affirmative Action Class Enters College

The challenges colleges face in trying to maintain racial diversity

Colleges are facing new challenges in maintaining racial diversity due to limitations on how race can be considered in admissions following the affirmative action ban.

Colleges are limited in how they can consider race in admissions after the affirmative action ban.

The Supreme Court's direction has resulted in colleges no longer being able to give broad "tips" to applicants based on race to boost the representation of underrepresented groups. Instead, they have to focus on evaluating applicants' individual experiences and circumstances, which could include but are not limited to race.

Colleges worry about potential lawsuits from conservative legal activists who are expected to closely monitor college admission data and may accuse colleges of taking race into account under the guise of evaluating individual experiences. Justice Kavanaugh mentioned the possibility of colleges considering if an applicant came from a family that had been enslaved, suggesting he may be open to such a policy.

Admissions shifts due to affirmative action ban

Colleges are shifting to a more subjective admissions process where students are encouraged to discuss their personal experiences instead of checking a box for race. Admissions essays have become an important tool for surfacing stories of overcoming adversity that can, but do not exclusively, consider race.

Colleges may attempt to maintain racial diversity through more targeted recruitment and financial aid efforts.

Targeted recruitment and financial aid strategies

Some schools are doing more outreach to underrepres ...

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The challenges colleges face in trying to maintain racial diversity

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Counterarguments

  • Colleges may have previously relied too heavily on race as a factor in admissions, potentially overlooking other aspects of diversity such as socioeconomic background, geographic origin, or life experiences.
  • The shift to a more holistic review process could lead to a more nuanced understanding of an applicant's background and potential contributions to the college community beyond racial identity.
  • The focus on individual experiences and circumstances may allow for a broader definition of diversity that includes a wide range of underrepresented or disadvantaged groups.
  • Targeted recruitment and financial aid strategies could be more effective in addressing the root causes of educational inequality, such as access to resources and opportunities, rather than the symptom of underrepresentation in higher education.
  • The emphasis on personal experiences in admissions essays may allow students from all backgrounds to showcase their resilience, talents, and unique perspectives, potentially leading to a more dynamic and diverse student body.
  • The concern about lawsuits from conservative legal activists might be overstated, as the new policies could be de ...

Actionables

  • You can mentor a high school student from an underrepresented community to help them navigate the college admissions process. By offering guidance on essay writing, application completion, and interview preparation, you contribute to leveling the playing field for students who may not have access to such resources. For example, reach out to local community centers or educational nonprofits to volunteer as a mentor.
  • Start a book club focused on literature by authors from diverse backgrounds to broaden your understanding of different cultural experiences. This can help you appreciate the individual stories that are becoming more important in college admissions. Choose books that explore themes of race, identity, and the impact of historical events on communities, and invite discussions on these topics.
  • Encourage your alma mater to expand their outreach programs by writ ...

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The First Post-Affirmative Action Class Enters College

The historical context and original purpose of affirmative action

Affirmative action has been a significant social policy developed to address the legacies of racial discrimination and inequality in the United States.

Affirmative action was originally intended to address the legacy of racial discrimination and inequality, particularly for Black Americans.

Launched under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations during the 1960s, affirmative action was designed to counteract centuries of oppression and exclusion predominantly faced by Black people. Although the program aimed to address racial injustice, it has been critiqued for not effectively tackling the economic disparities intertwined with racial inequity.

The Supreme Court's affirmative action ban may exacerbate racial inequities that affirmative action was meant to address.

The prohibition of race-based affirmative action is anticipated to diminish racial diversity, thereby intensifying racial inequality in a country already struggling with profound racial disparities. The black share of students at the University of Virginia (UVA), for example, dropped from 11 percent to 9 percent after the affirmative action ban. Similarly, there was a notable decrease in Black student enrollment at the most selective University of California campuses, such as Berkeley and UCLA, following California’s ban on affirmative action.

Maintaining racial diversity at elite coll ...

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The historical context and original purpose of affirmative action

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Counterarguments

  • Affirmative action may inadvertently create reverse discrimination, where individuals from non-preferred groups feel they are being unfairly disadvantaged despite their qualifications.
  • The policy could perpetuate stereotypes that minority groups need special assistance to succeed, which can undermine the achievements of individuals from these groups.
  • There is an argument that affirmative action should focus more on socioeconomic status rather than race, as this could address the root causes of inequality more directly.
  • Some critics argue that affirmative action in college admissions does not address the earlier educational inequalities that contribute to disparities in higher education.
  • There is a viewpoint that affirmative action policies should have a clear end point or conditions for their discontinuation, to avoid becoming permanent preferences.
  • Critics may argue that the focus on race in affirmative action overlooks the diversity within racial groups and the varying experiences and challenges they face.
  • It is argued that affirmative action can lead to a mismatch effect, where students are admitted to schools where they may struggle academically, rather than schools that match their level of preparedness.
  • Some believe that affirmative action policies ha ...

Actionables

  • You can support racial diversity in higher education by creating a scholarship fund for underrepresented students. Start by setting aside a small amount of money each month and once you have a modest sum, partner with a local community organization to identify potential recipients. This grassroots approach can help mitigate the impact of affirmative action bans by directly investing in the education of students who might be affected by such policies.
  • Volunteer as a mentor for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Reach out to local schools or non-profit organizations that focus on educational support and offer your time to help students with their academic work, college applications, or career planning. This personal involvement can contribute to increasing the success rates of these students in higher education environments.
  • Advocate for holistic admissions poli ...

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