10/3/2024
Education

California Bans Legacy Admissions at Private Universities, Ending Preferences for Wealth and Connections

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 1780 into law, effectively banning legacy and donor-based preferences in admissions at private, nonprofit universities throughout the state, set to take effect in the fall of 2025. This move targets institutions like Stanford University, the University of Southern California (USC), and Santa Clara University, joining the California State University system and other public institutions that already prohibit legacy admissions.

“In California, everyone should be able to get ahead through merit, skill, and hard work,” Newsom stated, emphasizing that this policy shift aims to broaden access to higher education opportunities for all students based on qualifications alone. The law also mandates annual compliance reporting, requiring private colleges and universities to demonstrate adherence to the new rules.

Assemblyman Phil Ting, who proposed the bill, attributed its successful passage partly to public concerns arising from the 2019 college admissions scandal and more recent rulings limiting affirmative action. Ting stated, “This is about making sure we’re leveling the playing field,” underscoring the importance of merit over wealth in university admissions.

Stanford and USC, where legacy students have made up about 14% of enrollees, as well as Santa Clara, with a legacy rate of around 13%, now face substantial changes in how they manage admissions. While officials at Stanford, USC, and Santa Clara pledged to adapt their admissions processes to comply with the new law, they emphasized ongoing commitments to diverse student outreach.

The new ban on legacy admissions comes amid other shifts in university demographics, as seen in institutions like MIT and Amherst College, where the recent Supreme Court ruling against race-conscious admissions has correlated with a drop in Black student enrollment for the 2024 academic year.

Subscribe to The Newsletters
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Other Posts
Drake Sues Universal Music Group Over Kendrick Lamar Diss Track “Not Like Us”
Drake's lawyers stated that the track’s release triggered two attempted break-ins at his home.
January 16, 2025
Art
SEC Sues Elon Musk Over Delayed Disclosure of Twitter Stock Purchases
The case could have broader implications for securities law enforcement.
January 16, 2025
Business
FTC Sues John Deere Over Repair Monopoly, Backing Farmers' Right to Repair
This lawsuit is a culmination of years of frustration among farmers who have been unable to repair their own equipment.
January 16, 2025
Business
TikTok Refugees Find New Digital Home on Xiaohongshu Amid Ban Threats
For newcomers, Xiaohongshu offers a fresh, unpolished alternative to Western platforms.
January 15, 2025
Tech
Spain Targets Housing Crisis with Tax Hike on Non-EU Property Buyers
Sanchez highlighted the growing scarcity of homes, exacerbated by speculative property purchases and the rise of short-term rentals.
January 15, 2025
Society
Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Launch Faces Delays Amid Technical Hurdles
The initial delay was caused by ice forming in a purge line of an auxiliary power unit.
January 14, 2025
Tech
Nigerian Gig Drivers Call for Federal Regulation to Reshape Ride-Hailing Sector
Platforms like Bolt and Uber benefit from network effects, but the oversupply of drivers diminishes their earnings.
January 14, 2025
Business
Kenya Unveils Crypto Regulation Bill to Foster Growth and Protect Users
Kenya introduced a landmark bill to regulate cryptocurrencies and virtual asset service providers (VASPs).
January 14, 2025
Business