Lawsuit Updates
2018 Students for Fair Admissions Annual Report
It has been a momentous year for Students for Fair Admissions. I encourage you to read our annual report to the members (available here: SFFA Annual Report). In this report, I discuss our litigation efforts in our Harvard case, including our motion for summary judgment and our upcoming trial. I also discuss our ongoing cases against the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill and the University of Texas at... Read More
Harvard’s Education in Discrimination
The Trump Administration in July withdrew Obama-era guidance that gave colleges a wink and a nod to racially discriminate. This means that colleges like Harvard that use racial preferences in admissions will receive more legal scrutiny, and the examination should be instructive. Between 2011 and 2016, the Obama Education Department issued seven notices advising colleges how they may legally promote racial diversity. The 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits racial discrimination by institutions receiving federal funds. But the Supreme Court has held that colleges may consider race in admissions as long it isn’t the “decisive” factor. Quotas and point systems are forbidden. The Obama department advised colleges to consider race as part of what it called an “individualized, holistic review of all applicants.” Colleges also were urged to consider race-neutral alternatives, but that they need not be adopted if they are “unworkable.” In other words, it’s the thought that... Read More
SFFA Files Motion for Summary Judgment Against Harvard
Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions, said, “Today’s court filing exposes the startling magnitude of Harvard’s discrimination against Asian-American applicants.” Blum added, “This filing definitively proves that Harvard engages in racial balancing, uses race as far more than a ‘plus’ factor, and has no interest in exploring race-neutral alternatives. It is our hope that the court will carefully study the statistical, documentary, and testimonial evidence amassed against Harvard and end these unfair and unlawful practices.” Blum added, “Harvard’s recent decision to issue a statement complaining that SFFA has taken the evidence ‘out of context’ and then to demand that the evidence be hidden from the public is disreputable, but typical. From the beginning of this case, Harvard has endeavored to litigate in secret because it knows the American people will be shocked to learn how it treats Asian-American applicants.” Blum concluded,... Read More
NY Times: Asian-Americans Suing Harvard Say Admissions Files Show Discrimination
To read the full article click here. "A group that is suing Harvard University is demanding that it publicly release admissions data on hundreds of thousands of applicants, saying the records show a pattern of discrimination against Asian-Americans going back decades. The group was able to view the documents through its lawsuit, which was filed in 2014 and challenges Harvard’s admissions policies. The plaintiffs said in a letter to the court last week that the documents were so compelling that there was no need for a trial, and that they would ask the judge to rule summarily in their favor based on the documents... Read More
The Harvard Plan That Failed Asian Americans
https://harvardlawreview.org/2017/12/the-harvard-plan-that-failed-asian-americans/... Read More
Students for Fair Admissions Annual Report 2017
What a year! Thanks to your energy and commitment, Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) is thriving. In the past year, we launched new lawsuits against the University of Texas at Austin and the Department of Education, vigorously litigated our landmark lawsuits against Harvard and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and continued our nationwide advocacy for the equal protection of individuals regardless of race or ethnicity. I encourage you to read our Annual Report: SFFA 2017 Year End... Read More
Harvard’s discrimination against Asian Americans must end.
The Justice Department confirmed last week that it is examining claims of racial discrimination against Asian Americans in university admissions. It is possible that this will result in investigations and lawsuits targeting our nation’s most competitive schools. This is a significant and welcome development. If the Justice Department follows through — as it should — what its lawyers will find at Harvard University and other Ivy League schools is an unfair and unconstitutional process that restricts the number of Asians admitted. That should alarm all Americans. Read the full article... Read More
What Is Harvard Hiding?
In 2015 a coalition of more than 60 Asian-American groups filed a complaint with the Justice Department Civil Rights Division that alleges admissions discrimination at Harvard University, and the details are striking. In 1993 about 20% of Harvard students were Asian-American, and that figure has barely budged over two decades, even as the Asian-American share of the U.S. population has grown rapidly. Harvard’s admitted class of 2021 is 22% Asian-American, according to data on the university’s website, and the numbers are roughly consistent at Princeton, Yale and other Ivy League schools. Read the full article... Read More
Affirmative Action Battle Has a New Focus: Asian-Americans
By most standards, Austin Jia holds an enviable position. A rising sophomore at Duke, Mr. Jia attends one of the top universities in the country, setting him up for success. But with his high G.P.A., nearly perfect SAT score and activities — debate team, tennis captain and state orchestra — Mr. Jia believes he should have had a fair shot at Harvard, Princeton, Columbia and the University of Pennsylvania. Those Ivy League colleges rejected him after he applied in the fall of 2015. Read the full article... Read More
University of Texas at Austin Sued by Students for Fair Admissions
Read the Press Release here Read the complaint from Students for Fair Admissions... Read More