Guidance on Supreme Court Ruling

Dear Deans and Academic Leaders,

 

Today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling on college admissions is quite long and complex. General Counsel is reviewing the ruling with an eye focused on how it might, or might not, impact admissions at the University of Kansas. This decision is effective immediately.

 

Here is some guidance as we work to get a better understanding of the ruling and its impact:

• Admissions decisions that are already made should be considered done.
• Admissions decisions that are not yet started or completed should not use race as part of the decision-making process.
  • However, the ruling states: “nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university.”
• Please review and revise your websites and recruitment communications for language that suggests consideration preference for any protected class with regard to admissions or scholarship awards.

 

We will be back in touch soon as we learn more about the ruling’s effects. In the meantime, please feel free to reach out to Jen or Nick with questions or concerns about graduate or undergraduate admissions and they will answer as best as they are able.

 

Respectfully,

 

Barb, Jen and Nick

 

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer

Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor

 

Jen Roberts

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies

 

Nick Stevens

Vice Provost for Enrollment Management