Department of Justice denies change in policy with affirmative action probe

Thursday, August 3, 2017  

The Department of Justice is refuting news reports about potential changes in its treatment of affirmative action admissions policies.

The department plans to investigate a 2015 complaint filed on behalf of Asian-American students who believe Harvard University is trying to limit the number of Asian students on campus. But a spokesperson told The New York Times, where the report about the probe originated, and other news organizations that no policy changes are in the works.

"The posting sought volunteers to investigate one administrative complaint filed by a coalition of 64 Asian-American associations in May 2015 that the prior administration left unresolved," the spokesperson said in reference to a call for Justice employees to assist with the investigation.

The U.S. Supreme Court sanctioned the use of race in admissions policies at colleges and universities in a 2016 case known as Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin.

Read More on the Story:
Justice Dept. to Take On Affirmative Action in College Admissions (The New York Times 8/1)
Justice Department plans new project to sue universities over affirmative action policies (The Washington Post 8/1)
Of course the Trump Justice Department wants to target affirmative action (The New York Times 8/1)
Asian-Americans’ Complaint Prompted Justice Inquiry of College Admissions (The New York Times 8/2)
Justice Department denies broad move against college affirmative action (AP 8/2)
Advocacy groups decry Justice move on college admissions (AP 8/2)
Justice Dept. pushes back on NYT's 'race-based discrimination' report (CNN 8/2)

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Supreme Court issues long-awaited affirmative action ruling (June 25, 2013)
Supreme Court agrees to take second affirmative action case (March 26, 2013)
Opinion: Affirmative action might be harming its beneficiaries (March 18, 2013)
Opinion: Supreme Court shifts to the right on affirmative action (March 11, 2013)
6th Circuit rejects voter ban on affirmative action in Michigan (November 16, 2012)
Steve Russell: Affirmative action policy is worth the price to pay (June 18, 2012)
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