Racial Inequality in Education and The Role of Affirmative Action and Legacy Admissions
Presentation Type
Poster
Faculty Advisor
Thomas Loikith
Access Type
Event
Start Date
26-4-2024 9:45 AM
End Date
26-4-2024 10:44 AM
Description
In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that colleges and universities can no longer consider race as one of the determining factors in their admissions process. This decision ended the use of affirmative action in the higher education admissions process and left a gap in how to address racial inequality in higher education. In light of this decision, there has been increased debate over the practice of legacy admissions. Should the U.S. enact legislation that ends legacy admissions in order to ensure fairness and create equal access and opportunities for all students? This is a complex, social issue that requires interdisciplinary analysis to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the matter and suggest potential solutions to the research problem. I analyze the issue through the disciplines of law and sociology. I used qualitative research methodology, specifically, textual analysis. I have researched and critically read court opinions, scholarly sources, and other information to find common ground between relevant disciplinary insights. I then seek to integrate common disciplinary insights to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the matter and offer potential solutions to the research problem. I have not yet completed my research and analysis. However, I preliminarily conclude that legacy admissions would not pass the strict scrutiny test adopted by the Supreme Court as the practice violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, similar to the ruling on affirmative action. Consequently, it is appropriate for the government to eliminate this practice.
Racial Inequality in Education and The Role of Affirmative Action and Legacy Admissions
In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that colleges and universities can no longer consider race as one of the determining factors in their admissions process. This decision ended the use of affirmative action in the higher education admissions process and left a gap in how to address racial inequality in higher education. In light of this decision, there has been increased debate over the practice of legacy admissions. Should the U.S. enact legislation that ends legacy admissions in order to ensure fairness and create equal access and opportunities for all students? This is a complex, social issue that requires interdisciplinary analysis to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the matter and suggest potential solutions to the research problem. I analyze the issue through the disciplines of law and sociology. I used qualitative research methodology, specifically, textual analysis. I have researched and critically read court opinions, scholarly sources, and other information to find common ground between relevant disciplinary insights. I then seek to integrate common disciplinary insights to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the matter and offer potential solutions to the research problem. I have not yet completed my research and analysis. However, I preliminarily conclude that legacy admissions would not pass the strict scrutiny test adopted by the Supreme Court as the practice violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, similar to the ruling on affirmative action. Consequently, it is appropriate for the government to eliminate this practice.