Recent data released by Harvard University shows a significant decline in the number of Black students admitted to the freshman class, the first cohort since the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial 2023 ruling that ended affirmative action policies in higher education.
According to the report, 14 percent of incoming students identify as Black, marking a 4 percent decrease compared to the previous class. At the same time, the number of Latino students has increased, now making up 16 percent of the freshman class, which is a 2 percent rise. The proportion of Asian-American students remains steady at 37 percent.
William Fitzsimmons, Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid, emphasizes that Harvard has been working for decades to ensure diversity on campus. “We will continue to fulfill our mission, even as we follow the law with great care,” Fitzsimmons noted.
Broader Impact of the Supreme Court’s Decision
The Supreme Court’s decision, which involved both Harvard and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has forced colleges across the United States to reconsider their approaches to admissions and maintaining diversity on campus. Harvard is not alone; other prestigious institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Amherst College, and Tufts University have also reported declines in Black student enrollment.
For instance, MIT reported a drop from 15 percent to just 5 percent, while Amherst College saw a decrease from 11 percent to 3 percent. Although some institutions, such as Yale and Princeton, observed only minimal changes, the declines at other schools are evident and concerning.
Criticism and Suggestions for Change
The drop in Black student enrollment has raised concerns among diversity advocates like Jeannie Park, co-founder of the Coalition for a Diverse Harvard. Park points out that smaller representations of students of color can negatively impact campus climate. She calls on the university to consider test-optional policies and to end legacy and donor preferences.
On the other hand, Richard Kahlenberg from the Progressive Policy Institute praises Harvard for maintaining diversity but questions the legality of its methods. “The key question is whether Harvard achieved racial diversity legally, by supporting economically disadvantaged students of all races, or whether it used covert racial preferences,” Kahlenberg asks.
What’s Next?
Observers and experts will closely watch the actions of Harvard and other universities as they navigate new admissions strategies in light of changing legal regulations. How these institutions strive to maintain diversity without violating new rules will be crucial.
The decline in Black student enrollment at Harvard and other prestigious colleges may be the first sign of broader changes in the landscape of higher education in the U.S., and the next steps will be closely monitored by both supporters and critics of the current regulations.
