This year the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in college admissions in a case called STUDENTS FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS v. HARVARD UNIVERSITY. The decision was not surprising, but it was still disappointing. Race influenced admissions decisions were actively being attacked since the late 1970’s and it doesn’t seem that anyone developed an alternative plan. In this episode, Professor Kenneth Nunn returns to the show. You may recall we had a conversation about Critical Race Theory with him earlier. Now, he is discussing the Supreme Court decision and looking at what Affirmative Action’s Impact on HBCUs will be.
Minority Admissions to Predominately White Institutions
African-American enrollment at predominantly white institutions is far lower than our percentage in the population overall. Studies show that the numbers of Black students enrolled in college is seeing a marked decline since 2010. Many factors account for the difference, of which racism in admissions is at the front. But other factors can be significant disparities in income between black and white families with college bound children. Disparities in access to quality primary and secondary schooling also factor in. Affirmative action and various attempts at “diversity” helped to narrow the gap. And though the Supreme Court kept a narrow window open for consideration of race, few believe schools will take advantage of it.
Will HBCUs be able to pick up the slack?
More African American college bound students may begin considering attending historically Black Colleges and Universities. But the key question is whether those schools can absorb the number of Black students that may no longer be admitted to predominantly white institutions. Resources at HBCUs have always been tight. Many states fail to support the HBCUs in their state despite the fact the federal government provides money for them. Against this backdrop Prof. Nunn’s comments on affirmative Action’s Impact on HBCUs.