Harvard dean ‘disappointed’ over US Supreme Court ruling on race-conscious admissions: Here is why : Valley Vision

In a sharp shift following the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against race-conscious admissions practices, Harvard College reported significant changes in its racial demographics for the incoming Class of 2028, with a four-point drop in Black student enrollment and an overall shift in racial representation.
Dean of Harvard College, Rakesh Khurana, conveyed his concerns openly in an interview last Thursday, expressing ‘disappointment’ over the limitations now placed on considering racial diversity in the admissions process. “I believe that the College benefits from the full diversity of backgrounds and experiences of this country,” Khurana said, in an interview with The Harvard Crimson, a university daily running since 1873.
This year’s freshman class sees notable shifts: Black student enrollment has dropped by four percentage points, while the proportion of Hispanic students has increased, and Asian American representation remains unchanged at 37 percent, according to a report by the Harvard Crimson.
Additionally, there was a noticeable rise in students who opted not to disclose their race, doubling from 4 to 8 percent. As this class becomes the first wave impacted by the Supreme Court’s ruling, many Harvard officials, including Khurana, question how effectively diversity can be preserved without factoring race into admission decisions.
The United States Supreme Court’s ruling and its repercussions
In June 2023, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to declare race-conscious admissions unconstitutional, a decision that President Joe Biden openly criticized. According to Biden, affirmative action is often misunderstood as granting unqualified students advantages over more qualified peers—a misconception he firmly refuted. For institutions like Harvard, which have historically seen affirmative action as a pillar for fostering diversity, the ruling disrupts a longstanding practice of weighing racial background as one of multiple criteria in admissions.
Student Reactions: The Harvard South Asian Association speaks out
The decision has sparked disappointment across student groups, including the Harvard South Asian Association, one of the largest cultural student organizations on campus. In a pointed statement, the association criticized the ruling, asserting that “Asian American students should not be used as a ‘tool’ for perpetuating structural discrimination.” The group further highlighted how the Court’s ruling “upends long-standing precedent on the use of race as one of several criteria in determining admission at Harvard and other institutions of higher learning,” adding that the decision undermines efforts to counterbalance inequity within the university system.
Changes in Harvard’s demographic landscape
The demographic impact is clear from the data released on the Class of 2028. Compared to previous years, while many aspects of the student composition remain steady, the decrease in Black student representation highlights the potential long-term consequences of a race-neutral admissions policy. Notably, peer institutions such as MIT, Amherst College, and Tufts University have observed even more dramatic shifts in student demographics, suggesting Harvard is not alone in grappling with this new admissions landscape.
As part of its efforts to ensure Harvard remains an inclusive option, Khurana emphasized that the College will continue to prioritize outreach. “I think we need to just do more of making sure people know that Harvard could be a place for them, and that we’d be really lucky if they would consider us,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of informing prospective students from diverse backgrounds that Harvard values their unique perspectives.
What this ruling means for future students
The Supreme Court’s decision raises essential questions for prospective students and universities nationwide. With race-conscious admissions practices abolished, universities will likely shift focus to race-neutral alternatives, such as socio-economic status and geographic diversity. However, such measures may fall short of ensuring the same level of racial diversity previously achieved under affirmative action policies. Senior university officials have indicated that it may take years before the full impact of this decision becomes evident.
For students of underrepresented racial backgrounds, the path to admission at elite institutions may now appear more challenging, potentially amplifying competition and reshaping how diversity is pursued in higher education.