The University of California is accused in a lawsuit filed this week of racial discrimination in undergraduate admissions by giving preference to Asian American and white candidates over Black and Latino students.
Students Against Racial Discrimination filed a lawsuit in federal court on Monday, claiming that the university system favors better-qualified applicants over those with lower academic standing.
The complaint alleges that UC’s admissions policies are in violation of a 1996 voter-approved state statute that prohibits the use of race and other considerations in public contracting, public employment, and public education.
The lawsuit also claims that the California schools are in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits racial discrimination by beneficiaries of federal monies, and the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Emails and phone calls on Tuesday asking for comment on the complaint were not immediately answered by UC authorities.
The complaint requests that a judge appoint a court monitor to supervise admissions choices and prohibit the ten-campus university system from inquiring about a student’s race on application materials.
According to the lawsuit, Latino and Black students are “often placed at a significant academic disadvantage, and thus experience worse outcomes, because of the university’s use of racial preferences,” while Asian American and white candidates face racial discrimination.
“Students of all races are harmed by the University of California’s discriminatory behavior,” the complaint states.
In other words, it charges that UC administrators have ordered institutions to adopt a “holistic” analysis of undergraduate admissions, which shifts the focus from objective criteria to more subjective evaluations of each candidate’s overall attractiveness.
According to a statistic cited in the complaint, the University of California, Berkeley admitted 13% of Black in-state students in 2010 compared to an overall acceptance rate of 21%. According to the complaint, Berkeley’s Black admissions rate was 10% by 2023, while the general rate was 12%.
The complaint was filed over a year after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race could not be a factor in college admissions, invalidating affirmative action and compelling universities to find other strategies for attracting diverse student bodies.
Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.