H.R.7607 - HARVARD Act was cosponsored by Brian Babin and Andrew Garbarino.
It was referred to the Education and Labor committee.
This bill requires an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student-aid programs and considers personality traits of applicants in making admission determinations to publicly disclose specified information related to personality traits. Personality traits refer to the patterns of an individual with respect to behaviors, thoughts, and emotions and may include patterns relating to humor, sensitivity, grit, leadership, integrity, helpfulness, courage, and kindness.
Specifically, the IHE must make available on its public website and application materials (1) a statement informing applicants of the use of personality traits in making admission determinations, (2) the rationale for such use of personality traits, (3) a description of the process under which personality traits are considered, and (4) the standards and criteria used for rating personality traits.
117th CONGRESS 2d Session |
To direct institutions of higher education to improve transparency with respect to the use of personality traits in admissions, and for other purposes.
April 27, 2022
Mrs. Steel introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor
To direct institutions of higher education to improve transparency with respect to the use of personality traits in admissions, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
This Act may be cited as the “Helping Applicants Receive Valid and Reasonable Decisions Act” or the “HARVARD Act”.
SEC. 2. Use of personality traits in admissions.
Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(30) (A) In the case of an institution that considers the personality traits of applicants in making admission determinations, the institution shall make available on the public website and application materials of such institution—
“(i) a statement informing applicants of the use of personality traits in making admission determinations;
“(ii) the rationale for such use of personality traits;
“(iii) a description of the process under which personality traits are considered; and
“(iv) the standards and criteria used for rating personality traits.
“(B) In this paragraph, the term ‘personality traits’ means, with respect to an individual, the patterns of such individual with respect to behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, and may include patterns relating to humor, sensitivity, grit, leadership, integrity, helpfulness, courage, and kindness.”.
You can read the bill here.
