Politics and Current
White House calls on Supreme Court over declining black college enrollment
The White House has condemned the Supreme Court’s 2023 affirmative motion ruling after the discharge of latest data showing that enrollment of black students at several college campuses has declined.
Among the dozen or so campuses that saw declines in black enrollment and increases in white enrollment were the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Washington University, Amherst College and Tufts University.
“Their decision has set the country back … and unraveled decades of precedent that has allowed America’s colleges and universities to build … diverse environments,” Biden’s spokesman said.
The steep declines are usually not positive signs after a controversial SCOTUS ruling that has alarmed students of color, civil rights groups and education advocates. The nation’s highest court ruled in favor of litigants who argued that Harvard and UNC’s affirmative motion programs violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Last summer, the Biden administration urged colleges and universities to search out alternative routes to support diversity on campus. The Education Department issued guidance and resources on how institutions can ensure they proceed to “reflect the beautiful diversity of our country.”
“We know that talent exists in all communities. It’s clear that there is still much work to be done, and we will continue to challenge schools to build pathways to advancement…mobility and success,” said Jean-Pierre, who added: “This is something that is incredibly important.”
The White House press secretary said: “That aside,” the administration has taken other actions to advertise education and opportunity for black Americans, including “historic investments” in historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), together over $16 billion.
Jean-Pierre also noted President Biden’s cancellation of student loan debt, which According to on behalf of the Center for American Progress, has disbursed a complete of greater than $168.5 billion to just about five million borrowers.