Supreme Court Rules Affirmative Action Programs at Harvard and UNC Unconstitutional, Impacting Diversity of College Campuses Nationwide

The United States Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that affirmative action programs at Harvard College and the University of North Carolina are unconstitutional. The decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, concluded that candidates applying as hopeful students to higher education institutions need to be evaluated based on their experiences “as an individual — not on the basis of race.”

The ruling puts an end to most systems designed to help Black and Latino students access higher education after centuries of racial discrimination. The decision will have an immediate effect on the number of Black and Latino students admitted to the most selective schools, studies show.

The Supreme Court’s decision does not preclude students from discussing their race during the application process as it relates to their individual experience. However, colleges and universities will no longer be allowed to seek greater diversity of their student bodies by preferencing race.

The ruling has been met with criticism from those who argue that affirmative action is necessary to provide equal access to educational opportunities for students of color. Supporters of the decision argue that race-conscious policies are unconstitutional and that race should not be a factor in college admissions.

The Supreme Court’s ruling is likely to have a lasting impact on the diversity of college campuses across the country. It remains to be seen how colleges and universities will adjust their admissions policies to comply with the ruling.