Fact Check: "The Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action in higher education in June 2023."
What We Know
In June 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling that effectively ended the use of affirmative action in college admissions. The decision came in the case of Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, where the Court ruled by a 6-3 vote that race could no longer be considered as a factor in college admissions processes. This ruling overturned decades of precedent that allowed for race-conscious admissions policies aimed at promoting diversity in higher education (AP News, SCOTUS Blog). The Court's decision was framed as a move towards a more race-neutral approach in admissions, emphasizing that universities must seek alternative methods to achieve diversity without considering race (Deseret News).
Analysis
The ruling against affirmative action has significant implications for higher education institutions across the United States. The Court's majority opinion, authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, stated that the previous affirmative action policies were inconsistent with the Constitution's guarantee of equal protection under the law. The decision has been described as a culmination of a long-standing legal battle against race-based admissions practices, which critics argued perpetuated discrimination rather than alleviating it (SCOTUS Blog, Legal Information Institute).
Critics of the ruling argue that it undermines efforts to address historical inequalities and could lead to decreased diversity in higher education. Proponents, however, contend that the ruling promotes a fairer admissions process that does not disadvantage applicants based on their race (New York Times, AccessLex). The reliability of these sources is generally high, with legal analyses coming from established news organizations and legal information platforms known for their thorough reporting on Supreme Court decisions.
The ruling has also prompted discussions about the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in educational institutions and beyond. Many institutions are now reevaluating their admissions strategies and scholarship programs in light of this decision, indicating a significant shift in how diversity will be approached in higher education (VSB, Deseret News).
Conclusion
The claim that "The Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action in higher education in June 2023" is True. The Court's decision marked a pivotal change in the legal landscape regarding race-conscious admissions policies, effectively prohibiting their use in higher education institutions across the United States. This ruling is backed by substantial legal precedent and has been widely reported by credible sources.
Sources
- Supreme Court | US Law - LII / Legal Information Institute
- Supreme Court Rules for Straight Woman in Job Discrimination Suit
- Supreme Court live updates: Court ends affirmative action in colleges
- The Impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Ruling
- Supreme Court strikes down affirmative action programs in college
- The rise and (sudden) fall of DEI - Deseret News
- The major Supreme Court decisions in 2025 - MSN
- How the Supreme Court's Ruling on Affirmative Action is Impacting Race
