Multiculturalism

Edward J. Blum the leader of the nonprofit group, Students for Fair Admission Inc accused Harvard University one of the country’s most prestigious institution of applying a race-conscious admission policy. The non-profit group accused the university of discriminating against Asian-American applicants by limiting the number of students from this race that can be admitted in the university (Carroll, 2019). Its been sixteen years now since the implementation of affirmative action policies that allow universities and campuses to consider race in the admission process (Carroll, 2019).  This implementation saw many Black students admitted in campuses and universities in the country following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. which in return raises the question whether there exists a relationship between crime and education (Carroll, 2019). Affirmative action has faced a lot of opposition since the day it was implemented.  

Edward Blum hopes that the court will declare the use of race when considering admission as unconstitutional. SSFA has accused Harvard of utilizing quota systems to restrict the admission of Asian American students while giving white students an added advantage (Li, 2018).  In its defense the renowned institution has argued that its practice is completely constitutional and considering race during admission is necessary to achieve the institution’s goal of diversity.  Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that the Harvard University admission policies does not discriminate Asian Americans.  The accusation of race discrimination are solid accusations, in the event SSFA decides to appeal the recent decision of the court the investigations into the university’s admission policies could be extended.

A race conscious admission policy is important in ensuring diversity. In case of an appeal, the court would further its investigation into the admission policies of the university to establish the biasness of the policies (Jaschik, 2019). Both sides had long planned to appeal the court decision. In case of an appeal and the subsequent court ruling favors the SSFA diversity in universities and campuses could be compromised since SSFA strongly suggest that putting race into consideration opens a doorway for discrimination. In case of an appeal the SSFA is in a position to argue that the judge was too quick to give the school the benefit of the doubt, therefore, further probe into the matter is needed (Jaschik, 2019).  At the end of the trial the judge insists that she cannot order the dismantling of a perfect admission process that is constitutional based on the claims that it could be made better.

 The SSFA consists of Asian-American students who in their own opinion have been hurt by the school’s admission system, most of them applied to Harvard and were rejected. Their appeal would still be based on the accusation that Harvard discriminated against Asian-American applicants and as a result the university violates their civil rights (Li, 2018). The Appeal of the Fisher V. University of Texas could challenge the functions and effectiveness affirmative action policies. The diversity of higher education is important in ensuring that university and campuses classes are not homogeneous (Jung, 2018). Ensuring diversity in campuses relies on a race conscious admission.

Inconclusion, race conscious university admission polices lead to diversity in campuses. The recent trail, Fisher V. the University of Texas involves accusations made against the prestigious institution, Harvard university. The university has been accused of discriminating Asian-American students during admission. The affirmative policies implemented sixteen years ago supports the use of race during admission to ensure diversity. However, SSFA argues that the use of race promotes discrimination. Harvard won the case against SSFA. An appeal by the SSFA would lead to further probe into the admission policies of the university which in return would question the effectiveness of the affirmative policy actions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Carroll, D., (2019). “Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard: Will the Case Sound the Death     Knell for Affirmative Action?” Retrieved from;             https://www.americanbar.org/groups/litigation/committees/jiop/articles/2019/summer201  9-fair-admissions-v-harvard-affirmative-action/

Jaschik, S., (2019). “Judge Upholds Harvard's Admissions Policies” Retrieved from:             https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2019/10/07/federal-judge-finds-          harvards-policies-do-not-discriminate-against

Jung, C., (2018). “Harvard Discrimination Trial Ends, But Lawsuit Is Far From Over” Retrieved from;             https://www.npr.org/2018/11/02/660734399/harvard-discrimination-trial-is-ending-but-     lawsuit-is-far-from-over

Li, M., (2018). “I support affirmative action. But Harvard really is hurting Asian Americans.”      Retrieved from: https://www.vox.com/first-person/2018/10/18/17995270/asian-          americans-affirmative-action-harvard-admissions-lawsuit