Affirmative Action in higher
education has long been one of the most contentious public policy issues in
America. Two recent events have placed the issue even more squarely in the
limelight. First, Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement creates the very real
possibility that five votes at the Supreme Court no longer exist to uphold Affirmative
Action. Second, a prominent recent lawsuit alleges that Harvard’s use of race
in the undergraduate admissions process violates Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964. This program, which is co-sponsored by the AALS Section on
Constitutional Law, will explore the future of Affirmative Action in light of
these and any other related events. Is the Supreme Court destined to invalidate
the use of race in higher education admissions decisions? If so, what are
places of higher education likely to do in the aftermath? How will society be affected as a result?
Business meeting held on Friday, January 3, 2020 at 7:30 am.