Commissioner Dianne Edmondson
Many of us here at Robson Ranch relocated here to be nearer grandchildren whom we hope to watch graduate from both high school and possibly even college. Some may be wondering if the recent 6-3 U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down race-conscious or privilege-based college admissions will affect our grandchildren’s ability to get into their institutions of choice. The Supreme Court ruling was based on the 45 years of policies of Harvard and University of North Carolina, which, respectively, are the oldest private and public colleges in America. But it also affects any college or university that accepts federal funding, including student loans, thus including virtually all American colleges and universities (notable exception: conservative Hillsdale college in Illinois, which does not accept any federal funds, including student loans). Another exception was made for the country’s military academies, whose graduates constitute about 25% of our military officers’ corps. The Court’s ruling also forbids the practice of “legacy” admissions, where alumni or large donors’ relatives are given favoritism in admissions.
Those who oppose this ruling have claimed that because of shameful historical actions, black students especially should be more routinely admitted to colleges and universities. And they argue that as our state’s population demographics continue to evolve, the same preferable treatment should be given to Hispanic students.
But is race really the criteria which should be considered?
As the Dallas Morning News noted, “No admissions policy that is truly race-neutral will ever result in campuses that perfectly reflect demographic breakdowns, nor should that be the goal. The goal instead should be to ensure admissions policies which don’t favor the wealthy and the privileged over those who lack private tutors and the best school.”
How will this ruling affect Texas colleges and universities? Virtually not at all!
According to the Denton Record Chronicle, the University of Texas is the only public Texas university using race-conscious admissions. Locally, both Texas Woman’s University and the University of North Texas strive for a diverse faculty as well as student body. Apparently, both are achieving those goals. TWU has recently been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 20 most ethnically diverse universities in the country, having 34% Hispanic, 31% white, 18% black, and 11% Asian students attending. UNT also is recognized as one of 21 Carnegie Tier universities designated as Hispanic-serving in 2022. Last year, UNT’s black and Hispanic student population increased by about 3% each.
The most basic problem among traditionally non-college populations is economic limitations, and TWU has set out also to address that at its source: family incomes. Last year, TWU announced a bold “no tuition guarantee,” which is available for up to four years for first-time incoming freshmen and up to three years to transfer students for Texans who are Pell-grant eligible. Though books and rooming are not covered in this program, there may well be other financial aid and grants which will assist. The University of North Texas, with in-state tuition below $10,000 a year, also is developing a fixed-tuition option, striving to graduate students who will leave with both good jobs and with as little debt as possible.
In summary, on the whole, the SCOTUS ruling will make few changes in Texas colleges and universities on race- or privilege-conscious admission policies.
However, another issue must be addressed by earlier educational institutions: the elementary through high schools in Texas. Our state Constitution guarantees an appropriate education to each child in the Lone Star State, but we are not consistently delivering on that. It is expected that Gov. Abbott will call a third special session (probably in October) to address education issues specifically.
So, stay tuned to see how this other piece of the puzzle fits into the college/university admissions for our children and grandchildren!