WASHINGTON, DC –. Today in a 6-3 ruling, the United States Supreme Court reversed decades of precedent permitting universities to adopt holistic admissions programs that include consideration of a  student’s race along with other factors. In an opinion authored by Chief Justice Roberts, the Court held that any consideration of race in admission programs violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, striking down nearly 50 years of precedent that helped significantly reduce systemic barriers to educational equity for all students.

STATEMENT BY IMANI RUPERT-GORDON, NCLR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: 

“We are deeply disappointed that the Supreme Court has once again upended decades of precedent in a decision that will deepen racial inequality in education and cause lasting harm not only to many students of color but to everyone in this country. The majority of Americans support affirmative action because it helps to level an uneven playing field caused by generations of racism and white supremacy. Today’s ruling continues to show just how out of step this Court is with our shared values. We know that when everyone has access to quality higher education, we are all better for it, and today’s ruling is a step in the wrong direction. We will continue to fight against those that seek to bring us back to a time of segregationist educational practice and policy and will not stop until all students – regardless of their race – are able to access the highest quality education in this country. NCLR is committed to working for racial equity in education for all of our communities.”

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The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Since its founding, NCLR has maintained a longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and the LGBTQ community’s most vulnerable. https://www.nclrights.org/