President Biden Delivers Remarks on SCOTUS Decision on Affirmative Action

On Thursday, June 29th, the Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina. The Supreme Court upended decades of precedent that enabled America’s colleges and universities to build vibrant diverse environments where students are prepared to lead and learn from one another. Although the Court’s decision threatens to move the country backwards, the Biden-Harris Administration will fight to preserve the hard-earned progress we have made to advance racial equity and civil rights and expand educational opportunity for all Americans.

As our nation’s colleges and universities consider their admissions processes in the wake of the Court’s decision, President Biden is calling on them to seize the opportunity to expand access to educational opportunity for all. Our nation is stronger when our colleges and universities reflect the vast and rich diversity of our people. But while talent, creativity, and hard work are everywhere across this country, equal opportunity is not.

Specifically, the President is calling on colleges and universities, when selecting among qualified applicants, to give serious consideration to the adversities students have overcome. In doing so, colleges and universities can fully value aspiring students who demonstrate resilience and determination in the face of deep challenges.