Earlier today, the Supreme Court ruled to restrict the use of race in college admissions decisions at public and private universities. It is an unfortunate decision that leaves me deeply concerned about how it will impact our efforts to attract the most creative, talented, and accomplished students with diverse life experiences, who will make varied and meaningful contributions to our community. As one dissenting judge wrote, this ruling is based upon troubling notions that we have progressed into a "colorblindness for all" society. In the amicus briefs filed by the American Council on Education and the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, over 60 associations argued that this potentially sets a worrisome precedent for college campuses seeking to reflect the full range of talent.
At Weitzman, we know that a diverse community that includes faculty, staff, and students with myriad perspectives and experiences is critical to a meaningful education and excellence in professional practice. Diversity has made our professions more interdisciplinary, interconnected, and integrated into the lives of people whose communities we seek to serve, especially those with legacies of inequality that are still holding people back. Diversity has unlocked new ways of working, learning, and leading. Thus, we are not going to falter in our broader commitment to diversity, even if our admissions practices will need to change. We will also remain committed to furthering our anti-racism work and to seeking belongingness for all, while complying fully with the Supreme Court’s decision.
As challenging as this news is many of us who care about equity, I want to acknowledge that this decision means something different for each of us. To Weitzman’s students of color—past, present, and future—I say this: You belong. You belong here and we will continue to do our utmost to support you.
In solidarity,
Fritz Steiner
Dean and Paley Professor
