On Thursday, June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Affirmative Action in college admissions, meaning admission can no longer be granted with race as a consideration.
The admissions process in Harvard and the University of North Carolina (UNC) requires the initial readers to consider the applicant’s race as a part of their review, additionally, readers or subcommittees can take the applicant’s race into account as they make recommendations to the admissions committee. Students for Fair Admissions, a non-profit organization whose mission is to “defend human and civil rights secured by law, including the right of individuals to equal protection under the law,” filed lawsuits against Harvard and UNC, claiming their admissions programs are a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.
While the respondents and the dissents argued race-conscious admissions programs should be allowed since they achieve positive social goals, in the Court’s majority opinion, Chief Justice Roberts stated that “the student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual—not on the basis of race. Many universities have for too long done just the opposite.” Ending race-conscious admissions programs ultimately overrules 50 of precedent on Affirmative Action.
Haverford College and Bryn Mawr College have responded to the ruling with statements that reflect commitment to diversity. Bryn Mawr College’s President Kim Cassidy claimed:
“We continue to review our admissions processes and practices to ensure we remain in compliance with federal law. Bryn Mawr College stands in solidarity with all those who see the benefits and opportunities that exist in promoting diverse campus populations and will continue to invest in areas of support for all those who are part of our community.”
Additionally, chief enrollment officer Cheryl Lynn Horsey reported that diversity will be maintained by continuing with the practices and partnerships that enable Bryn Mawr College to reach diverse student populations. Horsey pledged:
“We will continue our partnerships with Community based organizations dedicated to facilitating college access for underrepresented populations. We will ensure the cost of tuition will not be a barrier by having financial aid policies align with our mission. We will ensure the travel schedules of Admissions Counselors include urban schools and contacts with CBOs. Bryn Mawr has steadily dedicated resources to the Impact Center, which provides programming that addresses diversity to improve college life.”
Haverford College’s President Wendy Raymond, Vice President and dean of admissions and financial aid Jess Lord, and Vice President for institutional equity and access Nikki Young expressed:
“We are deeply disappointed in and disagree with these rulings. We want to affirm for all members of the greater Haverford community – students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families – that the College is unwavering in its commitment to equitable access to education and to the essential nature of diversity in the collegiate experience in and out of the classroom, and to the responsibility to build diversity across our community.”
Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College’s statements seek to support their respective communities. Their statements emphasize the value of a diverse student body and the importance of creating an inclusive educational environment. Bryn Mawr College is 51% white, 32% students of color with 15% being under-represented minority, and 17% international/unknown. Currently Haverford College is 68.2% white, with the class of ’26 displaying an 8.3% increase in students of color in comparison to the recent graduate class.
