A Republican known for his hardline stance against illegal immigration is proposing that colleges and universities tell the public how race, color and national origin help or hurt prospective students in the admissions process.
(AP Photo)
Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, proposed the Sunshine in Academic Admissions Act, which would require all federally funded colleges and universities to issue annual reports on how these traits affect their admissions decisions. King said most of these institutions receive some federal funding, and that their process for accepting or rejecting students should be a matter of public record.
“Citizens and taxpayers have a right to know whether federally funded institutions of higher education are treating student applications differently depending on the student’s race, color, or national origin,” said King. “Further, they need to know the way in which these factors are weighted and the consequences it will have to students.”
King’s bill argued that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbids discrimination in federally funded institutions, which includes almost every college and university. It also said that in 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that schools should not try to ensure racial balancing, and that they instead must show a more compelling interest in achieving diversity.
The bill reasons that these schools should have to reveal their admissions decisions so people can see if they are making acceptable decisions.
Under the bill, these institutions would have to disclose how race, color or national origin are used as factors in admissions, and describe which are seen as a “plus factor,” and which are seen as a “minus factor.”
Read the bill here:
