APLU Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Race-Conscious Admissions

Washington, DC –Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) President Mark Becker today released the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on race-conscious admissions.

“Public and land-grant universities were founded to provide life-changing opportunities to students who would otherwise not have access to an extraordinary education. As APLU and others argued last year in a brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, there is considerable educational benefit to a diverse learning environment for all students and the use of race as a factor in admissions has helped foster such environments. While today’s ruling will substantially alter admissions practices at many institutions, public universities’ mission to provide access to an affordable, high-quality education for all remains unchanged.

“Talent is spread across all zip codes, but opportunity is not. Far too often, access to high-performing schools and resources that best prepare students for college access and success have been out of reach for students from underrepresented communities, low-income households, and those in families where no one has previously attended college. Public universities are committed to drawing on – and developing – talent in all our communities to educate the workforce America needs today and for decades to come.

“Public universities impacted by this decision will no doubt learn from the challenges and experiences of institutions that have already moved away from considering race in admissions because of state laws. Adhering to today’s ruling, public universities can continue to innovate and make progress in attracting and serving the nation’s diverse population of students regardless of race, ethnicity, income, or other barriers for success.”