The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) on Thursday issued a ruling that colleges could no longer use race as a factor in their admissions process.
In the controversial decision brought by a 6-3 vote, the high court ruled that the usage of race as a criterion to admit a student into a college or university violates the 14th amendment of the Constitution.
Governor Tate Reeves praised the decision by SCOTUS and argued that college admission ought to be granted on the basis of equal opportunity rather than equal outcome.
Reeves, a Republican, vowed to continue to work toward building a Mississippi that gives everybody an opportunity to have an equal chance to succeed in all facets of life.
“Nobody is more or less qualified based solely on the color of his skin. Through better educational opportunities, workforce and skills training, and job creation, every Mississippian will have the chance at a better life,” Reeves stated. “We will enthusiastically work to ensure that our universities across the state comply with both the letter and spirit of this decision. Our academic institutions will be stronger and more fair because of it.”
“Individuals are the sum of their unique experiences, challenges, and accomplishments. What matters is not the barriers they face, but how they choose to confront them. And their race is not to blame for everything – good or bad – that happens in their lives.”
Justice Thomas…
— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) June 29, 2023
The case was brought against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. Representatives of Students for Fair Admissions argued that the admissions process at the universities unfairly discriminated against prospective Asian-American students.
SCOTUS ruled that the universities were in violation of the Constitution’s equal protection clause.
