In the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on affirmative action in college admissions, the Biden administration has taken a decisive step to support institutions serving minority Americans. A whopping $100 million has been earmarked for colleges like Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities, and other Minority-Serving Institutions. The goal? To bolster infrastructure and enhance the educational outcomes for students from underserved communities.
To add some context, during the tenure of the Biden administration, these institutions have already received cumulative funding of around $25 billion. This latest financial injection, announced by the Department of Education, is clearly positioned in response to the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action. It signifies a concerted effort to prioritize diversity in higher education, especially at a time when the concept seems to be hanging in the balance.
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona expressed his sentiment on the matter, stating, “Amidst challenges to diversity in higher education, reinforcing our commitment to HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, Minority-Serving Institutions, and community colleges are more crucial than ever.” He further emphasized the importance of these funds in advancing research, innovation, and evidence-based strategies aimed at enabling underserved students to graduate and embark on promising careers.
Here’s a breakdown of what the fund entails: Part of the grant will allow minority-serving colleges to enhance their research capabilities. The other chunk acknowledges a clear necessity – the need to further support minority students in their academic journeys. The announcement acknowledged, “The challenges faced by many students of color and those from low-income backgrounds in enrolling and succeeding in college cannot be ignored. As the demographic landscape of our student population shifts, it’s imperative to evolve and introduce new, tailored support systems.”
The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision earlier this year, held that affirmative action policies as adopted by notable institutions like Harvard University and the University of North Carolina run afoul of the Constitution. In a majority opinion joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and five other justices, the court expressed, “Universities have the liberty to define their missions. However, our guiding star remains the Constitution, which mandates a strict scrutiny of any policy separating students based on race.”
While the universities argued that race doesn’t largely influence their admission decisions, they simultaneously claimed that a shift away from race-conscious admissions would drastically change their admitted classes’ demographics. The majority ruling highlighted this apparent contradiction, pointing out that some admissions are indeed determined by race.
At a time when debates around race, diversity, and equal opportunity take center stage in America’s socio-political discourse, such decisions and counter-actions underscore the complex dynamics at play. As conservatives, while we uphold the principles of individual merit and equal protection under the law, it’s also imperative to ensure that institutions serving marginalized communities have the resources they need to thrive.
