Affirmative action ruling met with disappointment

LIHU‘E — A decision by the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to strike down affirmative action in college admissions was met with disappointment and disdain from educators and lawmakers in Hawai‘i.

The court ruled that race cannot be a factor in college admissions, effectively overturning cases dating back 45 years and forcing colleges and universities to find other ways to diversify student bodies.

The conservative-bent court ruled 6-3 with respect to a case involving the University of North Carolina, and 6-2 in a case involving Harvard University. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson did not sit on the Ivy League case because of her ties to the school.

“Today’s Supreme Court decision is beyond disappointing. With the adoption of our new strategic plan by the University of Hawai‘i’s Board of Regents in November 2022 we have recommitted ourselves to diversity and equity as foundational principles,” said University of Hawai‘i President David Lassner in a statement on Thursday.

“Notwithstanding the new ban on use of race in admissions decisions, UH stands firmly committed to provide higher education opportunities for all, especially those historically underrepresented in our student bodies, as well as to continue to diversity our faculty, staff and leadership. The families and communities of Hawai‘i need and deserve no less.”

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, who signed in August 2022 an amicus brief in support of the University of North Carolina’s policy and Harvard’s policy, also weighed in on the Supreme Court’s decision.

“Affirmative action policies have helped colleges and universities across our country cultivate more diverse student bodies. These common sense policies recognize that diversity on campuses benefits all students, and help to advance racial equity,” said Hirono in a statement on Thursday.

“But, once again, this extreme Supreme Court has taken our country backwards. Given our country’s long history of racial discrimination and the stark racial inequality that continues to this day, for justices to focus on whether the benefits of diversity can be measured precisely is shortsighted and detached from reality,” said Hirono.

“Diversity of every kind makes us stronger. At a time when those on the right disavow diversity in a cynical attempt to divide us, I’ll continue working to advance diversity, equity and justice for all,” she said.

In the amicus brief, current and former U.S. senators urged the Supreme Court to adhere to the settled principle of diversity in higher education.

“In the nearly six decades since Congress enacted the Civil Rights Act of 1964, this Court consistently has recognized that achieving diversity in higher education is a compelling governmental interest, and that some consideration of the racial and ethnic background of individuals applying to colleges and universities can be given when necessary to achieve that compelling end,” a summary of the brief states.

“Congress has been equally consistent in upholding these principles. Congress repeatedly has endorsed the importance of diversity in higher education, as well as the importance and propriety of race-conscious programs in other aspects of American life. Congress’s efforts include its enactment of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Departing from consistent precedent and established legislative practice would be unwarranted in this case,” the brief states.

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Wyatt Haupt Jr., editor, can be reached at 808-245-0457 or whaupt@thegardenisland.com.