The First Post-Affirmative Action Class Enters College
12Digest
This podcast episode examines the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to ban affirmative action on college enrollment. While some elite colleges have seen significant declines in Black and Hispanic student enrollment, others have seen little change or even increases in these groups. The episode highlights the surprising trend of increased economic diversity at these institutions, suggesting that colleges may be using socioeconomic factors as a proxy for race. The discussion delves into the reasons behind this unexpected increase in economic diversity, focusing on the role of application essays, which allow students to highlight their experiences with disadvantage and discrimination, potentially leading to the admission of more low-income students. The episode explores strategies that colleges are employing to maintain diversity in the absence of race-based affirmative action. These strategies include using tools from the College Board to assess student context, increasing recruitment efforts in historically underrepresented communities, and raising funds for financial aid. The episode discusses the long-term outlook for diversity at elite colleges. While the episode expresses optimism for Hispanic student enrollment due to broader trends in immigrant success, it raises concerns about the potential for declines in Black and Native American student enrollment, given the historical legacy of discrimination against these groups. The episode concludes by discussing the need for targeted remedies to address the historical injustice faced by Black and Native Americans. The episode also highlights the potential for future legal challenges as colleges navigate the complexities of maintaining diversity in a post-affirmative action world.
Outlines
The Impact of Affirmative Action Ban on College Enrollment
This episode explores the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to ban affirmative action on college enrollment. While some elite colleges have seen significant declines in Black and Hispanic student enrollment, others have seen little change or even increases in these groups. The episode also examines the surprising trend of increased economic diversity at these institutions, suggesting that colleges may be using socioeconomic factors as a proxy for race.
Exploring the Reasons Behind Increased Economic Diversity
The episode delves into the reasons behind the unexpected increase in economic diversity at elite colleges. The discussion focuses on the role of application essays, which allow students to highlight their experiences with disadvantage and discrimination, potentially leading to the admission of more low-income students.
Strategies for Maintaining Diversity in a Post-Affirmative Action World
The episode explores strategies that colleges are employing to maintain diversity in the absence of race-based affirmative action. These strategies include using tools from the College Board to assess student context, increasing recruitment efforts in historically underrepresented communities, and raising funds for financial aid.
Long-Term Outlook for Diversity and Future Challenges
The episode discusses the long-term outlook for diversity at elite colleges. While the episode expresses optimism for Hispanic student enrollment due to broader trends in immigrant success, it raises concerns about the potential for declines in Black and Native American student enrollment, given the historical legacy of discrimination against these groups. The episode concludes by discussing the need for targeted remedies to address the historical injustice faced by Black and Native Americans and the potential for future legal challenges as colleges navigate the complexities of maintaining diversity in a post-affirmative action world.
Keywords
Affirmative Action
A policy that aims to increase opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups, particularly in education and employment, by taking race or other factors into account.
Economic Diversity
The representation of students from different socioeconomic backgrounds within a college or university.
Proxy for Race
Using socioeconomic factors, such as income or neighborhood poverty, as a way to indirectly consider race in college admissions, given the ban on race-based affirmative action.
College Board
A non-profit organization that administers standardized tests, such as the SAT and AP exams, and provides resources for college admissions.
Recruitment Efforts
Strategies employed by colleges to attract students from diverse backgrounds, including outreach programs and targeted recruitment initiatives.
Legacy of Discrimination
The enduring effects of historical and systemic discrimination against certain groups, such as Black Americans and Native Americans, which can impact their access to opportunities.
Targeted Remedy
A specific policy or program designed to address a particular form of injustice or inequality, such as a program aimed at increasing the enrollment of Black students at elite colleges.
Q&A
What are the main findings regarding the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to ban affirmative action on college enrollment?
The decision has led to mixed results, with some colleges seeing significant declines in Black and Hispanic student enrollment, while others have seen little change or even increases. The episode also highlights the surprising trend of increased economic diversity at these institutions.
Why has economic diversity increased at some elite colleges despite the ban on affirmative action?
The episode suggests that colleges may be using socioeconomic factors as a proxy for race, focusing on students' experiences with disadvantage and discrimination as highlighted in their application essays.
What strategies are colleges employing to maintain diversity in the absence of race-based affirmative action?
Colleges are using tools from the College Board to assess student context, increasing recruitment efforts in historically underrepresented communities, and raising funds for financial aid.
What are the long-term implications of the affirmative action ban for different racial groups?
The episode expresses optimism for Hispanic student enrollment due to broader trends in immigrant success, but raises concerns about the potential for declines in Black and Native American student enrollment, given the historical legacy of discrimination against these groups.
What are the potential legal challenges that colleges may face in the post-affirmative action era?
Colleges may face legal challenges from conservative activists who argue that schools are still using race as a factor in admissions, despite the ban. The episode also suggests that colleges may need to develop more targeted remedies to address the historical injustice faced by Black and Native Americans.
Show Notes
The Supreme Court’s decision to ban affirmative action last summer was expected to drastically change the demographics of college campuses around the country.
David Leonhardt, who has written about affirmative action for The Times, explains the extent and nature of that change as the new academic year gets underway.
Guest: David Leonhardt, a senior writer who runs The Morning, The Times’s flagship daily newsletter.
Background reading:
- Two elite colleges have seen shifts in racial makeup after the affirmative action ban.
- The Supreme Court decision last year rejected affirmative action programs at Harvard and North Carolina.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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