In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling that ended the ability of higher education institutions to consider race as a factor in admitting students. This week, top officials at the University of Virginia responded that they will follow the law.
“We also will do everything within our legal authority to recruit and admit a class of students who are diverse across every possible dimension and to make every student feel welcome and included here at UVA,” reads a letter from President Jim Ryan and Provost Ian Baucom.
The letter lays out three admission practice that will be followed, including not allowing anyone involved in the admissions process to see information regarding a candidate’s race or ethnicity. Each applicant can choose to disclose that information in the personal essay.
“To the extent a candidate’s race or ethnicity is disclosed through this process, that information only will be considered as it relates to that person’s unique ability as an individual to contribute to the University, and not on the basis of race or ethnicity alone,” the letter continues.
For current and historic demographic data about students, faculty, and staff at the University of Virginia, take a look at the Diversity Dashboard.
