Appeals Court rules Harvard doesn't discriminate against Asian-Americans

A federal judge has ruled that Harvard University did not discriminate against Asian American students in a case that was filed in 2014. 

According to The New York Post, the lawsuit claimed that Asian Americans were held to a higher standard compared with other races when applying to Harvard University. The decision came from a two-judge panel within the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, from Chief Judge Jeffrey Howard, an appointee of President George W. Bush, and Circuit Judge Sandra Lynch, a judicial appointee of President Bill Clinton.

The lawsuit, filed in 2014 by Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), claimed that Harvard University held Asian Americans to a higher standard than other applicants. The complaint submitted by SFFA states that Harvard purposefully attempts to limit the number of Asian American students who will attend the school.

In the ruling, the judges said that Harvard University’s consideration of race in its admissions process is constitutional and is simply an attempt to create a more diverse student body.

“Harvard seeks students who are not only academically excellent but also compelling candidates on many dimensions,” the decision stated, according to the report.

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According to Campus Reform, an SFFA expert and Duke University professor Peter Arcidiacono, stated that Asian Americans significantly outperform other races in academics. He also points out that Asian Americans, “receive overall scores similar to white applicants that are one academic decile lower.”

Judge Allison Burroughs ruled on the case back in 2019 in favor of Harvard University, stating that race can be considered by colleges for admissions.

“It is somewhat axiomatic at this point that diversity of all sorts, including racial diversity, is an important aspect of education. The evidence at trial was clear that a heterogeneous student body promotes a more robust academic environment with a greater depth and breadth of learning, encourages learning outside the classroom, and creases a richer sense of community,” Burroughs wrote in her decision.

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Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions told Campus Reform that it will take this case to the Supreme Court.

“While we are disappointed with the opinion of the First Circuit Court of Appeals, our hope is not lost. This lawsuit is now on track to go up to the U.S. Supreme Court where we will ask the justices to end these unfair and unconstitutional race-based admissions policies at Harvard and all colleges and universities,” Blum said.

Campus Reform has reached out to Harvard University but did not receive a response.

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