US Education Secretary Explores Alternatives to Curb Legacy Admissions in Colleges

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, under President Joe Biden’s administration, indicated his willingness to employ a range of mechanisms—including federal funding—to dissuade higher education institutions from prioritizing admissions for children of alumni and financial benefactors.

In a conversation with The Big Big News, Secretary Cardona expressed the need to reexamine the system of legacy admissions to enhance campus diversity, particularly in light of the recent Supreme Court verdict that ruled against affirmative action. Extending beyond his earlier statements, Cardona revealed a readiness to adopt more forceful measures to inhibit such admissions practices.

“I am committed to leveraging any available resources as Secretary of Education to make sure that, especially when distributing financial aid and loans, we are doing so for educational institutions that offer true value,” Cardona stated on Wednesday. The statement was made in response to a question about the potential use of federal funds to either incentivize or penalize colleges over legacy admissions.

The topic of legacy admissions—historically benefiting wealthy, predominantly white applicants at elite institutions—has gained renewed attention following the Supreme Court’s decision in June that prohibits the consideration of an applicant’s race during admissions. Critics argue that, with the abolition of affirmative action and the continued allowance of legacy admissions, the system has become even more skewed against students of color.

Although Secretary Cardona did not specify his available options, it is worth noting that the federal government administers significant amounts of money allocated for student financial aid and research grants to colleges. Additionally, the Education Department has the authority to levy fines for civil rights violations, including racial discrimination. An inquiry has recently been initiated at Harvard University following a federal complaint alleging that the university’s legacy admissions equate to racial discrimination.

While a few smaller institutions have ceased legacy admissions in the aftermath of the affirmative action ruling, there has been no evident shift in policy among the nation’s premier universities.

Defenders of legacy admissions argue that it fosters community and enhances fundraising. They contend that as campuses diversify, the benefits of legacy admissions are increasingly shared by families of color.

Cardona, a graduate of Central Connecticut State University and a former technical high school attendee, has joined civil rights organizations and Democratic lawmakers in opposing legacy admissions. “The capability to enter a college should not be determined by your surname or your ability to financially contribute,” he observed. However, he stopped short of endorsing the outright bans proposed by some Democratic legislators, viewing it as an issue of local autonomy for the universities.

In the absence of decisive action, Cardona warned of the potential repercussions, drawing parallels with California, where the discontinuation of affirmative action in 1996 led to a significant drop in enrollment of Black and Latino students at top colleges—a trend that has not reversed.

“If we follow California’s footsteps in repealing affirmative action, how can we maintain our competitive edge against nations like China?” he asked. “This isn’t just about fostering diverse educational settings; it’s a matter of national strength.”

Campaigners have also urged the Education Department to commence collecting data on the demographics and numbers of legacy students.

Deputy Director James Murphy of Education Reform Now, a non-profit think tank, stated, “I was optimistic that more colleges would voluntarily abandon legacy admissions. Persistent scrutiny and pressure need to be maintained.”

In related matters:

— During the interview, Cardona stressed the importance of educating students on the enduring impacts of slavery. He cautioned against concealing the harsh realities and current ramifications, which include lingering effects from unjust housing and lending policies.

— He advocated for keeping schools operational even in the event of a new surge in COVID-19 cases, expressing concerns over government overreach that could result in school closures.

— Cardona refrained from commenting on the specifics of the administration’s forthcoming student loan forgiveness proposal but assured that the issue is being addressed expeditiously due to the urgency felt by borrowers.

The Big Big News education division is supported by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP maintains sole responsibility for all content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Legacy Admissions

More about Legacy Admissions

• Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action
• Education Secretary Miguel Cardona’s Biography
• Federal Financial Aid Policies
• California’s Affirmative Action History
• Legacy Admissions Practices
• Civil Rights Violations and Fines
• Harvard University Legacy Admissions Investigation
• Education Reform Now
• Impact of Slavery on Modern America