Harvard to be investigated by Education Department over legacy admissions.

The U.S. Department of Education has opened an investigation into the use of legacy admissions by Harvard University, following a formal complaint filed by the non-profit Lawyers for Civil Rights. Legacy admissions are preferential considerations given to applicants who have had immediate family members graduate from an institution.

The Office for Civil Rights released a statement that reads in part: “We do not comment on open investigations.” The Supreme Court’s decision to dismantle affirmative action policies in higher education has brought this issue into the spotlight. Johns Hopkins University ended the practice in 2014, and has seen more diversity in the socioeconomic makeup of its campus as a result.

NPR interviewed Wesleyan University President Michael Roth following the university’s decision to end legacy admissions. Roth indicated that the fear of losing funding from alumni is a major roadblock to ending the policy. He believes, however, that most alumni will see the value of a level playing field.

The Lawyers for Civil Rights complaint echoes a view that legacy admissions essentially function as affirmative action for white students. The ACLU believes that the elimination of legacy admissions can lead to a more equitable admissions process. In a 2022 post titled “How Ending Legacy Admissions Can Help Achieve Greater Education Equity”, the ACLU asserts that legacy preferences perpetuate disparities between white and BIPOC students.

The momentum against legacy admissions is growing, and it is expected that the practice will eventually end. The Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action brought this issue to the forefront of public discourse. Democrats who were critical of the ruling agreed with Republicans who celebrated the end of affirmative action, and both parties seem to view legacy admissions as unjust.

Ultimately, it is irrational to oppose affirmative action under the pretext of giving special treatment to underrepresented groups, while simultaneously permitting legacy admissions for individuals who are not part of these groups. The elimination of legacy admissions could be a step towards creating a more equitable admissions process.

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