It’s the latest effort in a growing push against the practice of giving admissions priority to the children of alumni.
A civil rights group is challenging legacy admissions at Harvard University, saying the practice discriminates against students of color by giving an unfair boost to the mostly white children of alumni.
"Why are we rewarding children for privileges and advantages accrued by prior generations?" said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, the group's executive director."Your family's last name and the size of your bank account are not a measure of merit, and should have no bearing on the college admissions process."Sign up for NBC LA newsletters.
The complaint, submitted with the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, draws on Harvard data that came to light amid the affirmative action case that landed before the Supreme Court. The records revealed that 70% of Harvard's donor-related and legacy applicants are white, and being a legacy student makes an applicant roughly six times more likely to be admitted.
The complaint was filed on behalf of Chica Project, African Community Economic Development of New England, and the Greater Boston Latino Network. That effort joins another campaign urging the alumni of 30 prestigious colleges to withhold donations until their schools end legacy admissions. That initiative, led by Ed Mobilizer, also targets Harvard and other Ivy League schools.
Several Democrats in Congress demanded an end to the policy in light of the court's decision, along with Republicans including Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, who is vying for the GOP presidential nomination.
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Activists spurred by affirmative action ruling challenge legacy admissions at HarvardA civil rights legal group is challenging legacy admissions at Harvard University, saying the practice discriminates against students of color by giving an unfair boost to the mostly white children of alumni.
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Activists spurred by affirmative action ruling challenge legacy admissions at HarvardA civil rights legal group is challenging legacy admissions at Harvard University, saying the practice discriminates against students of color by giving an unfair boost to the mostly white children of alumni.
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