Harvard University is facing a crisis after a landmark court case exposed how it gives the relatives of alumni a leg-up. Its so-called legacy admissions policy is now in the crosshairs of lawmakers who say it perpetuates inequality, says an article published on BBC website.
Crisis At Harvard
Harvard University finds itself embroiled in a crisis following a landmark court case that unveiled its practice of providing preferential treatment to the relatives of alumni through its “legacy admissions” policy. The policy, allowing the children of former students an advantage in the admission process, is now under intense scrutiny, with critics arguing that it perpetuates inequality.
Historic Legacy, Harvard’s Role In Shaping Leaders
For centuries, Harvard has been renowned for shaping America’s future leaders, counting figures like Teddy Roosevelt and Mark Zuckerberg among its alumni. The university’s ability to propel students into influential positions has made admission highly coveted. However, the recent revelations about its admission practices have triggered a reevaluation of its selection criteria.
Shift In Affirmative Action And Legacy Admissions
A landmark Supreme Court decision earlier this year made affirmative action illegal, preventing Harvard and other universities from giving admission preferences to under-represented minorities. In the aftermath, the court proceedings exposed Harvard’s preference for legacy admissions, where relatives of alumni are favored in the admission process.
Legacy Admissions, Controversial Practice Under Fire
The legacy admissions policy, prevalent in many elite American universities, including all eight Ivy League schools, grants preference to applicants with close relatives who attended the same institution. Critics argue that this practice allows some applicants to “skip the queue” based on familial connections, perpetuating inequality.
Backlash And Calls For Change
The court case has sparked widespread backlash, with calls from lawmakers, students, and state legislators urging an end to the legacy admissions policy. Many argue that such preferential treatment contradicts the principles of meritocracy and fairness.
Impact On Diversity And Equality
Harvard has emphasized the challenges in recruiting a diverse student body after the Supreme Court decision against affirmative action. However, critics point out that legacy admissions disproportionately favor well-off and white students, hindering efforts to address broader issues of inequality.
Data Reveals Disparities, Legacy Vs. Non-Legacy Applicants
Studies, including one by Opportunity Insights, indicate that legacy applicants are four times more likely than non-legacy applicants with similar test scores to be admitted. This advantage significantly influences the trajectory of these students into the upper echelons of society, perpetuating a cycle of privilege.
Legal And Legislative Responses
Harvard is now under investigation by the US Department of Education in response to a lawsuit alleging preferential treatment for white, wealthy students through legacy and donor admissions. Massachusetts’s state legislature is also considering a bill that would impose fees on schools granting legacy admissions benefits.
Debates And Potential Changes At Harvard
Harvard’s deep pockets, with an endowment of $50 billion, have enabled its influence, but critics accuse the institution of using this power to maintain the status quo. Some elite institutions, including Wesleyan University and Amherst College, have already abandoned legacy admissions. Harvard’s President, Claudine Gay, has indicated that “everything is on the table” for discussion in the wake of these controversies.
Campus Voices, Differing Opinions
While some students defend the legacy admissions, arguing that legacy students deserve a place on campus, others express concerns about the impact on a more level playing field. The ongoing debate reflects a broader questioning of whether legacy admissions align with the principles of equality and academic excellence.
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Source: bbc
