Race should remain a factor for college admissions
Diversity in University is always a great thing to see, especially at institutions of higher learning. Every ethnicity should be welcomed by colleges. Although race should not be a determining factor in college admissions, diversity should be encouraged. As shown by 2003 case Grutter v. Bollinger, the United States Supreme Court ruled that colleges and universities could consider race and ethnicity in their admissions decisions.
However, more recently, the court may be about to issue a ruling that could restrict universities' use of race, a case before the justices that could limit universities use of race in deciding admissions, according to a recent report by Reuters.
The case was brought up by a white suburban local, Abigail Fisher, after "unfairly" being rejected from the University of Texas at Austin, according to the legal statement.
Fisher believed that her scores were the same as other minority groups and her rejection was due because she was not a minority, according to the legal statement.
Although determining an acceptance letter by race sounds like the wrong thing to do, it should be a factor in the decision in order to receive adequate diversity, therefore, the Supreme Court should rule against Fisher's case and continue to encourage their previous ruling.
In Fisher's case, she must be upset about her rejection but she should also understand that higher education institutions need to reflect the diversity of our nation.
When it comes down to determining who gets admitted into universities, admissions officers are most interested in that minimum qualifications set by the school are met. Acceptance thereafter is based on applicants that will further the college experience. Obviously race is a needed factor because learning with people from a variety of backgrounds encourages collaboration and fosters innovation, thereby benefitting all students.
Sometimes money becomes the problem. About six in 10 Americans believe that money and wealth should be more evenly distributed among a larger percentage of the people in the U.S., and that two-thirds think the current distribution is unfair, according to a 2013 Gallup poll. Many Americans suffering from that unfairness are minorities.
As learned in history class at one point, caucasians have had the ruling and the power, and it is time for African Americans and other races to start getting some priorities, even if it is just being able to attend school.
The Supreme Court should rule against what Fisher has claimed. Her sour attitude toward the University of Texas at Austin will dissipate once she is accepted by another university, and it would be a shame if encouraged diversity was damaged because of her hurt feelings.