Harvard University
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US Supreme Court Bans Reservation: Harvard University stated that diversity and difference are essential to academic excellence after the Supreme Court effectively banned universities from using race as a factor in admissions.
Harvard University Defends Diversity
Harvard University remained defiant after the Supreme Court effectively banned universities from using race as a factor in admissions, arguing that the role of diversity and difference in education is essential to academic excellence.
In a letter signed by leaders from across the institution, including outgoing president Lawrence Bacow, the university stated that while it would comply with the court's ruling, it would also bring about changes in how it ensures its commitment to diversity.
"We write today to reaffirm the fundamental principle that deep and transformative teaching, learning, and research depend upon a community comprising people of many backgrounds, perspectives, and lived experiences," the university said in a communication signed by leaders of the institution, including outgoing president Lawrence Bacow.
Harvard mentioned that it has "vigorously defended" its admission policy for almost a decade, which two federal courts ruled complied with longstanding precedent. The nation's top court, voting along ideological lines, declared that programmes at Harvard College and the University of North Carolina violated the Constitution's equal protection clause.
"In the weeks and months ahead, drawing on the talent and expertise of our Harvard community, we will determine how to preserve, consistent with the Court's new precedent, our essential values," according to the letter, which was also signed by incoming president Claudine Gay.
Gay, who is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and will be the school's first Black president, said in a separate message that "today is a hard day."
She posted a video explaining that the ruling will change how the university pursues the educational benefits of diversity.
Gay said the commitment to the work "remains steadfast" and assured students at the university that they "belong at Harvard. Never doubt that."
