University Enrollment Declines for Students of Color in the Wake of Supreme Court Ruling
In a surprising twist, cities across the US are witnessing shifts in college enrollment numbers, especially among students of color. Since the US Supreme Court dropped the bombshell decision to ban affirmative action in college admissions back in June 2023, it feels like a lot of schools are grappling to keep their campuses diverse.
What the Numbers Show
Recent data from elite schools like Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cornell University, and Stanford clearly indicate a troubling trend: a decline in the number of Black, Latino, and Indigenous first-year students. Not even the esteemed University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is spared, reporting a staggering decrease of at least 25% in Black enrollment and 7% in Latino enrollment. It’s apparent that this ruling has left a mark that isn’t fading quickly.
Legacy Admissions Come Under Fire
In response to this unsettling trend, several colleges have stepped up, announcing they will ditch legacy admissions—the somewhat controversial practice where students with family ties to a school get a bit more elbow room in the application process. Schools like Carleton College, Occidental College, Virginia Tech, and Wesleyan University are saying goodbye to legacy status as they seek to promote fairer admissions practices. Several states—including Virginia, Illinois, California, and Maryland—have even taken the plunge to ban legacy admissions for public universities entirely.
Alison Byerly, president of Carleton College, expressed her hopes: “We’ve been working hard at wanting to create the most diverse classes possible…but we did worry that one effect of privileging legacy applicants would be that it sends a message that if you haven’t gone to college, specifically at our institution, you’re less valuable to us as a candidate.”
But Will It Make a Difference?
Before diving headfirst into celebrations over ending legacy admissions, some experts like Dominique Baker, an associate professor of education and public policy, warn that it’s not a “silver bullet.” “Removing legacy, in and of itself, can be the ethical thing to do, and, on its own, not necessarily change the demographics of who enrolls,” she cautions.
Historically, legacy admissions have favored those with a head start—typically wealthier, white students who already navigate the college maze with some help from family ties. While these policies began in the 1920s at Ivy League schools as a way to limit Jewish enrollments, they have morphed into a tool that maintains alumni relations and funding, even though studies show they often don’t significantly boost donations.
Mixed Results from the Changes
Take Carleton College, for example. In the upcoming 2024-25 school year, only 13.6% of admitted students came from legacy backgrounds, a dip from 15.7%. Byerly suggests the numbers are still small enough that it’s hard to pinpoint why enrollment of students of color has slumped—from 39% to 33%. Factors could range from the Supreme Court’s decision to hiccups in federal financial aid.
Some colleges, like the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, haven’t seen much change. They reported about 21% of students this year had family ties to the university—pretty much on par with the previous year.
Broader Implications
Getting rid of legacy admissions might help a bit, but there are deeper layers here that schools need to tackle. Racial equity advocates emphasize that universities should be proactive about recruiting students from various communities. There are still practices, like prioritizing standardized tests or advanced classes, which can leave students of color at a disadvantage.
Sarah Hinger from the American Civil Liberties Union puts it bluntly: “Are schools affirmatively reaching all communities where there may be students who would be strong candidates for their school and enrich their student body?”
Taking Steps Forward
Universities are trialing various recruitment and admissions strategies to keep diversity alive on campus. Carleton has taken some actions to boost enrollment among first-generation students and those eligible for federal aid, emulating methods from Duke University, which has still managed to increase its Black and Latino enrollment.
But here’s the kicker: experts agree there’s no quick fix for maintaining diversity in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision. Baker points out, “Institutions are definitely trying to experiment… but I think it’s going to take a very long time for us to know more about it publicly.” It’s clear that as schools navigate these new waters, they’re also working hard not to attract any unwelcome legal attention.
In the end, it’s a crucial time for US colleges and universities to reflect on their practices and find innovative ways to enhance diversity. The future of campus life—and representation—may just depend on it.
