US affirmative action rulings to have wide-ranging impact, force leaders to consider new ways to ensure equity: Editorials

In the United States, the Supreme Court has ruled that race-conscious admissions programs—a type of affirmative action in college admissions—in use at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are unconstitutional. The Chief Justice John Roberts said that the reviewed programs “unavoidably employ race in a negative manner” and “involve racial stereotyping,” while dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomayor argued that the decision was “further entrenching racial inequality in education.” In an article for the Chronicle of Higher Ed, Eric Hoover explained that the decision demonstrates a “gulf” between the two understandings of merit in admissions and the role that race plays in shaping opportunities. Hoover noted the drastic impact the decision will have on institutional operations and questioned what leaders will do next to maintain their commitment to the goal of a diverse student body. BBC reports that the action may also have impacts beyond higher education in the country, including affecting hiring practices.