U.S. Department of Education Launches Investigation into Harvard University’s Admissions Practices
Updated July 25, 2023, at 4:08 p.m.
The U.S. Department of Education has officially opened an investigation into Harvard University’s use of donor and legacy preferences in its admissions processes. The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights will examine whether the university’s practices discriminate on the basis of race.
The investigation, initiated under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, comes in response to a federal complaint filed by the nonprofit group Lawyers for Civil Rights. The complaint raised concerns about Harvard’s admissions preferences for children of alumni and wealthy donors.
Harvard spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain confirmed that the university has been notified of the investigation and stated that Harvard is conducting an internal review of its admissions practices. Swain emphasized Harvard’s commitment to welcoming students from diverse backgrounds and ensuring compliance with the law.
The investigation follows a study published by Harvard economists, which revealed that Ivy League universities provide significant admissions advantages to wealthy applicants compared to equally qualified, less affluent students. This study has raised further questions about equity and diversity in higher education.
The Education Department’s investigation coincides with the National Summit on Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, hosted by the department. The summit aims to address the challenges of promoting equity and diversity in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on affirmative action.
The Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Education has stressed that the launch of the investigation does not imply that Harvard has been found in violation of Title VI. The office will act as a neutral fact-finder, collecting and analyzing evidence from various sources.
Lawyers for Civil Rights expressed their concerns about the donor and legacy preferences, stating that they create barriers for applicants of color and hinder diversity in higher education. The nonprofit hopes that Harvard will voluntarily eliminate these preferences, which would render the investigation unnecessary.
The timeline for the investigation conducted by the federal agency can vary widely, according to Michael A. Kippins, an attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights. The ultimate goal is to eliminate barriers and promote diversity in higher education.
For more information, contact Staff writer Michelle N. Amponsah at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @mnamponsah. Staff writer Miles J. Herszenhorn can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @mherszenhorn.
What are the potential implications of Harvard University’s acknowledgment of the investigation and its decision to conduct an internal review of its admissions practices
The U.S. Department of Education has launched an investigation into Harvard University’s admissions practices, specifically focusing on the use of donor and legacy preferences. The investigation will be carried out by the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights and will determine whether these practices discriminate on the basis of race.
The decision to investigate Harvard’s admissions practices was made in response to a federal complaint filed by Lawyers for Civil Rights, a nonprofit group. The complaint voiced concerns about Harvard’s preferences for admitting children of alumni and wealthy donors.
Harvard University has acknowledged that it has been notified about the investigation and has stated that it is currently conducting an internal review of its admissions practices.
This investigation by the U.S. Department of Education into Harvard University’s use of donor and legacy preferences in admissions is a step towards ensuring fairness and transparency in the college admissions process. It is crucial to examine whether these preferences truly align with merit-based admissions and uphold equal opportunities for all students.
It’s about time! Legacy and donor preferences in admissions undermine fairness and equal opportunities for all students. Kudos to the U.S. Department of Education for launching this investigation to ensure transparency and merit-based practices at Harvard University.