WASHINGTON − President Joe Biden Thursday slammed the Supreme Court decision to strike down affirmative action admissions policies used by Harvard College and the University of North Carolina for diversifying their campuses. Biden, in turn, offered his own rebuke: “This is not a normal court.”
Biden said he “strongly, strongly” disagrees with the decision that he described as walking away from “decades of precedent.” He offered his own guidance to colleges, telling institutions they should not abandon their commitment to ensure diversity, proposing new standards where colleges take into account adversities student have overcome when selecting among qualified candidates. This would mean once students meet the qualifications for GPA and test scores, adversity should be taken into consideration, he said.
The Supreme Court ruled along ideological lines that the way Harvard College and the University of North Carolina approached race violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. The decision drew a sharp condemnation from the court’s liberal wing, who said it rolls back “decades of precedent and momentous progress.”
Biden also directed the Department of Education to analyze what practices help build an inclusive and more diverse student bodies and eliminating others like legacy initiatives that he says expands privilege.
“I know today’s court decision is a severe disappointment to so many people including me, but we cannot let the decision be a permanent setback for the country,” he said. “We need to keep an open door of opportunities. “
More:Supreme Court blocks use of affirmative action at Harvard, UNC in blow to diversity efforts: Live updates
