Impact of Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action Evident in Harvard's Freshman Class

Harvard University has reported a decline in Black student enrollment in its freshman class, the first since the Supreme Court's ruling against affirmative action. This decision affects colleges nationwide, prompting changes in admissions practices and sparking debate over diversity and legal compliance in educational institutions.

Harvard University has observed a decrease in the number of Black students in its freshman class, the first group admitted following a Supreme Court decision that struck down affirmative action in higher education.

The ruling's impact is becoming clear at selective universities across the U.S., with some noting significant shifts in the demographics of their student bodies, while others report minimal changes.

Last year, the court's conservative majority barred colleges from considering race in admissions, leading many institutions to seek new ways to maintain diversity. Harvard's data revealed that 14% of its incoming class identified as Black, a 4% drop from the previous year. However, Latino student numbers rose to 16%, and Asian-American figures remained steady at 37%.

William Fitzsimmons, Harvard's dean of admissions, emphasized the university's commitment to student diversity, noting, "We have worked very hard for many decades to ensure that students from every background come to Harvard and make a difference to their fellow classmates, the nation, and the world."

Experts like Richard Kahlenberg question how Harvard achieved its diversity, suggesting the need to explore whether it was through lawful means or covert racial preferences.

Comparable trends have been noted at other institutions. MIT saw a significant drop in Black students from 15% to 5%, while more moderate declines were recorded at Yale and the University of Virginia.

(With inputs from agencies.)