Affirmative action is a policy designed to promote diversity and equal opportunity in college admissions. It is typically used to address past and current discrimination against underrepresented groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

The policy involves setting goals and implementing specific programs to recruit and admit students from underrepresented groups. This may involve setting specific quotas or targets for the number of students admitted from these groups or giving preferential treatment to these students in the admissions process.

Supporters of affirmative action argue that it is necessary to overcome the systemic inequalities and discrimination that have prevented underrepresented groups from accessing higher education. They believe that affirmative action is a necessary step towards creating a more equitable and just society.

Opponents of affirmative action argue that it is a form of reverse discrimination that unfairly advantages certain groups over others. They argue that admissions decisions should be based solely on merit and academic achievement, and that affirmative action policies can lead to lower standards and less qualified candidates being admitted to colleges and universities.

The legality of affirmative action in college admissions has been challenged in various court cases over the years, with some arguing that it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the use of affirmative action in college admissions in certain circumstances, such as when it is used to promote diversity and is narrowly tailored to meet the goals of the university or college.

What Is Affirmative Action in Higher Education? 

Affirmative action in higher education refers to policies and practices that take into consideration an applicant's race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic background, and other factors in order to increase diversity and promote equal opportunities in college admissions. The goal of affirmative action is to provide a more level playing field for historically underrepresented groups, who may face discrimination or unequal access to educational resources.

Affirmative action is a controversial issue, with some arguing that it is necessary to correct past injustices and ensure that all individuals have an equal opportunity to succeed, while others argue that it is discriminatory and can result in reverse discrimination against more qualified applicants who do not belong to underrepresented groups.

In practice, affirmative action policies vary by institution and can include factors such as legacy status, athletic ability, geographic location, and more. The Supreme Court has issued several rulings on affirmative action, including allowing colleges to consider race as a factor in admissions, but with some limitations.

Overall, affirmative action is a complex issue that requires a careful balance between promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities for all applicants, while also avoiding discrimination and maintaining high academic standards.

History of Affirmative Action 

Affirmative action has its roots in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, which sought to address the historical injustices and discrimination experienced by marginalized groups in America, particularly African Americans. President John F. Kennedy first used the term "affirmative action" in Executive Order 10925, signed on March 6, 1961. The order mandated that federally funded projects "take affirmative action" to ensure that applicants were employed without regard to their race, color, religion, or national origin. 

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Executive Order 11246, which required federal contractors to take "affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin." This order extended the mandate of affirmative action to all federal contractors, including universities that received federal funding. 

The concept of affirmative action was further reinforced by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The act established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which had the authority to investigate complaints of employment discrimination.

Over time, affirmative action has evolved to include not only race, but also gender, ethnicity, and other characteristics that have historically been associated with discrimination. While affirmative action has been the subject of controversy and legal challenges, it remains a central tool in efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in higher education and other areas of American society.

History of Affirmative Action in College Admissions

Affirmative action in college admissions has its roots in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. During this time, many universities and colleges in the United States were criticized for their lack of diversity and representation of underrepresented minority groups in their student bodies. This led to the creation of affirmative action policies, which aimed to increase diversity by giving preferential treatment to historically disadvantaged groups in the college admissions process.

The first use of affirmative action in higher education was in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order calling for the equal treatment of all people in federal hiring practices, including universities and colleges. This executive order marked the beginning of affirmative action policies, which were designed to increase access and opportunities for underrepresented groups, including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and women.

In 1978, the Supreme Court addressed the constitutionality of affirmative action in the landmark case Regents of the University of California v. Bakke. The Court ruled that colleges and universities could take race into account as one factor among many in their admissions processes, but that strict quotas were unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court continued to address affirmative action in college admissions in subsequent cases, including Grutter v. Bollinger in 2003 and Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin in 2013. In the Grutter case, the Court held that universities could use race as a factor in admissions decisions to promote diversity, but that race could not be the sole determining factor. In the Fisher case, the Court reaffirmed the use of affirmative action in admissions, but required universities to demonstrate that race-neutral alternatives had been considered and found inadequate before resorting to race-conscious policies.

The use of affirmative action in college admissions has been a controversial issue, with opponents arguing that it is unfair and discriminates against other groups, while supporters argue that it is necessary to address the historical disadvantages faced by underrepresented groups and promote diversity. Despite ongoing legal challenges, many colleges and universities in the United States continue to use affirmative action policies in their admissions processes.

How Affirmative Action for Colleges Affects Admissions Today

Affirmative action policies continue to affect college admissions today by providing opportunities for individuals from historically underrepresented groups to gain admission to colleges and universities. These policies aim to address past discrimination and promote diversity in higher education.

In practice, colleges and universities may use a variety of methods to promote diversity in their admissions processes. Some may consider an applicant's race or ethnicity as a factor among many others, while others may focus more on socioeconomic status, geographic location, or other factors that may indicate disadvantage or underrepresentation.

Affirmative action policies have been controversial and have faced legal challenges over the years, with opponents arguing that they amount to reverse discrimination and violate the principle of equal treatment under the law. However, the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of affirmative action policies in a number of cases, provided that they are narrowly tailored to achieve their intended goals and do not unduly burden other applicants or create quotas.

Overall, affirmative action policies have played a significant role in promoting diversity and equal opportunity in higher education, but they continue to be a subject of debate and controversy.

Why Are Affirmative Action Colleges Controversial? 

Affirmative action colleges are controversial because some people believe that it promotes reverse discrimination and unfairly benefits individuals solely based on their race or ethnicity. Opponents argue that affirmative action policies lead to less qualified individuals being admitted to colleges and universities while more qualified applicants are denied admission solely based on their race or ethnicity. They also argue that affirmative action policies create a sense of division among students and promote a lack of diversity of thought and opinion. Proponents of affirmative action, on the other hand, argue that it is necessary to level the playing field and provide opportunities to individuals who have historically been discriminated against or underrepresented in higher education. They believe that affirmative action policies increase diversity and create a more inclusive environment that benefits all students.

Affirmative Action Cases in Higher Education

There have been several high-profile affirmative action cases in higher education in the United States. Here are some notable examples:

1. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978):

This landmark case centered on a white applicant, Allan Bakke, who was denied admission to the UC Davis School of Medicine. Bakke argued that he was discriminated against because the school had reserved a certain number of spots for minority applicants. The Supreme Court ruled that strict racial quotas were unconstitutional but allowed race to be one factor among many in admissions decisions.

2. Grutter v. Bollinger (2003):

In this case, a white applicant named Barbara Grutter sued the University of Michigan Law School, claiming that she was rejected because of her race. The Supreme Court ruled that race could be considered as a factor in admissions decisions as long as it was one of many factors and not the sole deciding factor.

3. Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (2013 and 2016):

This case involved a white student, Abigail Fisher, who was denied admission to the University of Texas at Austin. Fisher argued that the university's use of race in admissions decisions was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court initially sent the case back to a lower court for further review but ultimately upheld the university's use of race as a factor in admissions in a later ruling.

These cases illustrate the ongoing debate over affirmative action in college admissions and the balancing of diversity goals with the principle of equal opportunity for all applicants.

5 Tips To Plan Ahead for Changes to College Affirmative Action

As changes to college affirmative action policies continue to be a topic of debate and potential action, it's important for students to plan ahead to navigate any changes that may occur. Here are some tips to consider:

1. Research potential colleges and their admission policies: Understanding the admission policies of potential colleges can help you determine which schools may be impacted by changes to affirmative action policies. Researching a school's history with affirmative action, as well as its current policies, can give you a sense of the potential impact on your admission chances.

2. Consider applying to a variety of schools: It's important to have a balanced college list that includes reach, target, and safety schools. With potential changes to affirmative action policies, it may be wise to include a mix of schools that have historically supported affirmative action and those that have not.

3. Focus on other aspects of your application: While standardized test scores and grades are important factors in college admissions, other aspects of your application, such as essays, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation, can also make a difference. Focus on showcasing your unique strengths and experiences in these areas.

4. Be aware of other factors that may impact admissions: While affirmative action policies have been controversial, other policies and factors can also impact college admissions, such as legacy admissions, athletic recruitment, and financial aid policies. Be aware of these factors and how they may impact your admission chances.

5. Stay informed: As changes to affirmative action policies continue to be debated and potentially implemented, it's important to stay informed about any changes that may impact your college applications. Keep up with news and updates in college admissions, and consult with college counselors and advisors for guidance.

Conclusion

Affirmative action is a complex and controversial topic in college admissions. It is intended to promote diversity and provide opportunities to historically disadvantaged groups. However, it has been the subject of numerous legal challenges and political debates. As a result, it is important for students to stay informed about changes to affirmative action policies and plan ahead for potential impacts on their college applications. This may include researching schools' admission policies, preparing a well-rounded application, and seeking guidance from college counselors or legal experts. Ultimately, staying informed and proactive can help students navigate the evolving landscape of college affirmative action.