California Governor Gavin Newsom Monday signed a bill preventing legacy and donor admissions from gaining preferential treatment for private, nonprofit universities.
The issue gained traction shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court banned the use of race in the college admissions process.
“In California, everyone should be able to get ahead through merit, skill and hard work. The California dream shouldn’t be accessible to just a luck few, which is why we’re opening the door to higher education wide enough for everyone fairly,” Newsom said after signing the bill authored by Assm. Phil Ting (D-San Francisco).
According to Ting, in Fall of 2023, the University of Southern California had the most admitting legacy and donor students, 1,791. Stanford had 295 and Santa Clara University reported less than 38, a dramatic drop from the 1,133 the prior year.
The University of California banned legacy preferences in 1998.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California supported the legislation saying it closes an unfair loophole.
“This is a key win for Asian American and Pacific Islander students in California, as research shows that 86% come from immigrant families and do not have the generations of family connections to make them shoo-ins for admissions,” said Connie Chung Joe, CEO of AJSOCAL.
Schools believed to be violating the ban may be investigated by the State Attorney General. Universities found guilty will be required to submit detailed reports to ensure violations don’t occur in the future.
“If we value diversity in higher education, we must level the playing field,” said Ting. “That means making the college application process more fair and equitable. Hard work, good grades and a well-rounded background should earn you a spot in the incoming class-not the size of the check your family can write or who you’re related to.”
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