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Lawsuit challenges Harvard’s legacy admissions policy

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A new lawsuit is seeking to challenge Harvard University’s legacy admissions policy.

According to CNN, three civil rights groups are suing Harvard for allegedly discriminating against applicants by giving preferential treatment to the children of wealthy donors and alumni.

The lawsuit was officially filed by the Lawyers for Civil Rights group on behalf of the Chica Project, the African Community Economic Development of New England, and the Greater Boston Latino Network.

According to Reuters, the lawsuit cites the recent US Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action policies. Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, the group’s executive director, told Reuters that, according to the ruling, policies that disadvantage racial groups are unlawful. Legacy admissions, the group claims, give preferential treatment to an “overwhelmingly White” group of applicants.

The lawsuit also claims that the legacy admits account for 15% of admitted students, CNN reports.

“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,” Espinoza-Madrigal said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Nicole Rura, a Harvard University spokesperson told CNN that the university would not be commenting on the most recent lawsuit.

“In the weeks and months ahead, the University will determine how to preserve our essential values, consistent with the Court’s new precedent,” Rura told CNN in an email.

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