US Education Probes Harvard's Legacy Admissions for Discrimination

A legal group reported that the Department of Education has launched an investigation into Harvard University's legacy admission policy. (Getty Images)

By: Adonis Armstrong

Following reports of discrimination, the U.S. Education Department has initiated an investigation into Harvard University's legacy admissions practices.

Yesterday July 25th, The Associated Press disclosed that the Office for Civil Rights is conducting an investigation into legacy admissions at schools, prompted by increased scrutiny following the Supreme Court's affirmative action ruling, which struck down a program that supported diversity in higher education.

A spokesperson for Harvard University stated that the institution has conducted a review of its admission policies to ensure compliance with the recent ruling of the nation's highest court. “As this work continues, and moving forward, Harvard remains dedicated to opening doors to opportunity and to redoubling our efforts to encourage students from many different backgrounds to apply for admission,” the spokesperson stated.

The civil rights investigation was initiated by a lawsuit filed shortly after the Supreme Court's June ruling that ended affirmative action in college admissions, prohibiting the use of race as a specific criterion for candidate selection. The court ruled that the schools use of racial factors in their admissions process violated the Constitution's equal protection guarantee, putting an end to systems that aimed to facilitate access to higher education for Black and Latino students.

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson commended the government department for taking the initiative to ensure the higher education system “works for every American, not just a privileged few.” Johnson added, “Every talented and qualified student deserves an opportunity to attend the college of their choice. Affirmative action existed to support that notion. Legacy admissions exist to undermine it.” Earlier this month, Harvard’s first Black president, Claudine Gay, officially took office. She pledged that the university will stay determined to uphold a diverse student body. 

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