UW-System Reviewing Potential Effects From the U.S. Supreme Court's Ruling on Race-Conscious Admissions

Friday, June 30th, 2023 -- 9:00 AM

(By Rich Kremer, Wisconsin Public Radio) Colleges and universities can no longer consider race when admitting prospective students following a 6-3 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the use of race-conscious admissions.

According to Rich Kremer with Wisconsin Public Radio, in Wisconsin, the decision was applauded by conservative activists and left the University of Wisconsin System reviewing potential effects from the ruling.

The court ruled in favor of advocacy group Students for Fair Admissions, which sued Harvard University and the University of North Carolina for using race as one of many factors when selecting students. The group alleged the practices resulted in discrimination against Asian American applicants.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the court has permitted race-based college admission with narrow restrictions "such admissions programs must comply with strict scrutiny, may never use race as a stereotype or negative, and must, at some point, end." The decision overturned legal precedent affirming diverse student bodies on college campuses represent a "compelling state interest."

A statement from UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin said the ruling "will require some modifications to aspects of our current admissions practices; we will, of course adapt our practices to comply with the law. "At the same time, I want to reiterate that our commitment to the value of diversity within our community, including racial diversity, remains a bedrock value of the institution," Mnookin said.

Mnookin noted that while the court's majority ruled Harvard and UNC's admissions practices violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution's 14th amendment, the decision also allows colleges and universities to consider an applicant's discussion of how race affected their life as long as it's tied to quality of character or unique ability that can benefit a university.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.