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ACLU Comment on Appeals Court Decision in Harvard Admissions Case

A federal appeals court ruled in favor of Harvard University today in an affirmative action case. The court agreed with a lower court ruling that Harvard does not intentionally discriminate against prospective Asian American students and can consider race as a factor in its admissions process.

Sarah Hinger, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Racial Justice Program, had the following reaction:

WASHINGTON

A federal appeals court ruled in favor of Harvard University today in an affirmative action case. The court agreed with a lower court ruling that Harvard does not intentionally discriminate against prospective Asian American students and can consider race as a factor in its admissions process.

Sarah Hinger, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Racial Justice Program, had the following reaction:

"We are glad the court recognized this lawsuit for what it is: a vehicle for an anti-affirmative action agenda, not a righteous fight for equality. Harvard's right to consider all aspects of a student's background for admission -- including race -- is not only constitutional, it's critical to becoming a more inclusive society. This is a win for racial equity and for the future of diversity on campuses across the country."

The ACLU filed an amicus brief supporting Harvard which can be found here: https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/sffa-v-harvard-aclu-amicus-brief

The American Civil Liberties Union was founded in 1920 and is our nation's guardian of liberty. The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

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