Officials of the U.S. Justice Department and Department of Education said in an Aug. 14 press conference that the federal government is committed to educational diversity and inclusivity following the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in the Students for Fair Admissions case.
"We are stronger when our colleges and universities reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of our nation," Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta said.
"In prior generations, students from different racial and ethnic backgrounds were denied the opportunity to learn together. We have fought to tear down those barriers," Gupta said. "We are stronger when our colleges and universities reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of our nation."
Gupta, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, Assistant Secretary of Education Catherine Lhamon, and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division expressed their shared dedication to ensuring inclusivity within educational institutions at the press conference.
Gupta said the Supreme Court ruling is having a profound impact on higher education admissions but said it should not curtail efforts to make educational environments more inclusive.
Emphasizing that universities should focus on various attributes such as perseverance, curiosity, and excellence, Gupta said the Supreme Court's decision confirms that race may still be considered in admissions as it can influence an individual's growth, motivations, and goals.
"The Supreme Court’s decision does not end our charge, nor does it relieve educational institutions of their duty to ensure that their admissions practices do not create barriers based on protected characteristics, including race," Gupta said.
The Departments of Justice and Education are committed to promoting equitable access to education, she said. The two government agencies said the Supreme Court's ruling does not exempt educational institutions from their responsibilities to prevent barriers based on race or other protected characteristics.
Gupta concluded by thanking both the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for their continuous work towards equal justice and access to education. "Both Departments remain steadfast in our commitment to expand educational opportunity and ensure that college campuses can reflect the great strength that is the rich diversity of our nation," she said.
