Proposed Mass. Bill Seeks to End Legacy and Donor Preferences in Higher Ed Admissions
Co-filed by Massachusetts State Rep. Simon Cataldo and State Senator Pavel M. Payano, the bill would require all higher education institutions in the state to disclose information about their admissions processes and would charge institutions a “public service fee” proportional to the size of their endowment for policies that violate its guidelines.
From: The Crimson
Excerpt:
“If the bill goes into place, we think it creates about 25,000 slots of free community college,” Cataldo said. “If the schools decide to continue using these pernicious practices, that public service fee that goes into place would create opportunity for the very students that the schools are systematically keeping out of their campuses.”
“Community colleges, unlike many elite colleges and universities, put students in the jobs that are needed most in Massachusetts,” he added.
The proposed bill comes ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on the anti-affirmative action group Students for Fair Admissions’ lawsuit against Harvard, which is expected to overturn race-based affirmative action in universities’ admissions processes nationwide.
Massachusetts State Rep. Samantha Montaño, who is co-sponsoring the bill, said it would act as a “counterbalance” for diversity if affirmative action is overturned, describing it as a “valiant effort to address inequities in our private institutions.”
Cataldo said the Supreme Court case presents an “opportunity” for Harvard to “think creatively” about equity in their admissions practices.
“Legacy preference and donor relations preference have no place in an equitable or fair admission scheme, with or without race-based affirmative action,” Cataldo said.
