Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College: 2023

In a pivotal case, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. (SFFA) filed lawsuits against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina (UNC), challenging their race-based admissions programs. SFFA argued that these programs violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. 

The Supreme Court examined whether the admissions practices of these prestigious institutions were unconstitutional. The Court found that both Harvard and UNC’s admissions programs did indeed violate the Equal Protection Clause. The decision emphasized that any form of discrimination by institutions that receive federal funding, which includes virtually all higher education institutions, also breaches Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. 

The ruling highlighted several critical points: 

Lack of Focused Objectives: The Court determined that the universities’ use of race in admissions was not backed by sufficiently focused and measurable objectives that would justify such practices. 

Negative Use of Race: It was found that the admissions programs inevitably employed race in a manner that negatively impacted certain racial groups. 

Racial Stereotyping: The programs were also criticized for involving racial stereotyping, which goes against the principles of equal protection. 

Lack of End Points: The Court noted that the admissions policies lacked meaningful end points, making it unclear when the use of race would no longer be necessary. 

This decision marks a significant shift in the landscape of affirmative action in higher education. It underscores the necessity for admissions policies to align strictly with the Equal Protection Clause, ensuring that all applicants are treated without bias based on race. The ruling reaffirms the commitment to a fair and equitable admissions process, free from unconstitutional discrimination.