Higher education institutions should be permitted to employ race-conscious admissions practices to promote the many educational benefits a diverse campus offers to all students, according to an amicus curiae brief filed by APA with the U.S. Supreme Court.
"Underrepresentation of minority groups poses significant obstacles to effective education of both minority and nonminority students," the brief states. "Social science research demonstrates that increased campus diversity is a proven remedy for these problems."
The brief was filed in November in the case of Fisher vs. The University of Texas at Austin. In 2008, Abigail Fisher sued the University of Texas for racial discrimination after being denied admission. Fisher, who is white, blamed the university's affirmative action program, which considers race and ethnicity when reviewing certain candidates. This is the second time the Supreme Court has heard this case. In 2013, it vacated a decision of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court in favor of the university. A second hearing by that court also found in favor of the university and now the Supreme Court is hearing the case again.
Increasing the representation of distinct racial groups improves intellectual and academic performance for both minority and nonminority students, according to APA's brief. Furthermore, campus diversity has been shown to reduce prejudice, enhance leadership skills and better prepare students to participate in modern civic society.
Nathalie Gilfoyle, APA's general counsel, noted that this is APA's fifth amicus brief presenting social science research in cases involving affirmative action. "The scientific conclusions we have provided to the Supreme Court are grounded in 85 recent peer-reviewed studies reflecting the contemporary social science research on campus diversity," she said. "These represent just a sample of the evidence that demonstrates the value of and continuing need for diversity in higher education."
— Jim Sliwa
