Harvard Likely To Support Affirmative Action in Supreme Court Case

Harvard Crimson ^ | February 23, 2012 | JUSTIN C. WORLAND

[reaganaut1]

When the United States Supreme Court heard the first case challenging affirmative action in higher education in 1978, Harvard defended the use of race in admissions decisions.

Now, as the Court takes up the issue again more than 30 years later, Harvard is likely to lobby the Court in favor of affirmative action once again, according to University General Counsel Robert W. Iuliano ’83.

“Harvard has long believed that a diverse class enhances the educational experience for all of our students,” Iuliano wrote in a statement. “I anticipate that the University will seek to express its views to the United States Supreme Court in the Texas case, just as we did in the prior two occasions when the Supreme Court took up this issue of vital importance to higher education.”

...

As an institution that receives federal funding, Harvard must comply with federal laws regarding discrimination under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Levinson, who also served as a visiting professor at Harvard Law School this past fall, said he anticipates that other institutions of higher education will file briefs in support of the University of Texas as well.

Levinson said he will be interested to see if any individual professors file briefs in favor of the plaintiff.

“Quite frankly, I would be surprised,” Levinson said. “It’s an extreme position.”

Tushnet said he believes that Harvard’s decision on whether to file a brief might be influenced by the University’s view of itself as a trendsetter in higher education.

“Harvard sees itself as a leader in higher education policy for the nation,” said Tushnet. “The University regards what it has to say as important to know.”

[reaganaut1]

Not only do most academics support affirmative action, they consider opposition to it an "extreme position". Yet another reason to reduce federal funding of "higher" education.

[Flycatcher]

“Harvard has long believed that a diverse class enhances..."

Unless you're a conservative.

That sort of "diversity" is divisive...

[Digger]

Now what else would you expect. Why not post that the sun will come up again tomorrow.

[Truthsearcher]

It’s probably because Harvard knows that without it their campus would be 50% Asian.

[DesertRhino]

They used it for Obama. He couldnt get in on his merits. And was lead through by the hand.

[headsonpikes]

“That sort of “diversity” is divisive...”

In practice, “university” has become the opposite of “diversity”.

[Jacquerie]

I recall meeting only one Harvard Law grad; it was shortly after the immaculation. He got his JD in the sixties. Radical beyond belief. A cordial discussion turned hot in fifteen minutes or so. The only detail I remember was at the end, when I informed him that his people didn't have the firepower to march my people off to the reeducation camps.

[achilles2000]

This story is news?

[Cyman]

Harvard continues to be the standard bearer for overt and covert liberal racism.

[School of Rational Thought]

And Harvard non special needs student will not buy the leftist crap being dealt to special needs admissions. Might have to turn over their faculty.

[pabianice]

Harvard has long been at the top of the list of elite communist colleges (getting hundreds of millions of dollars in tax-payer money) that love to advertise how many unqualified minority students they accept. They refuse to tell anyone how many unqualified minority students actually graduate (about 12%). That they also deny qualified whites and Asians admittance so they can feel good about admitting unqualified minorities does not bother them at all. Harvard sucks.

[stilloftyhenight]

Will there ever be a time when we’re all simply Americans? Every person eligible on his or her own merits?