As several colleges are erupting in protest over racial inequity, the issue of affirmative action is about to return to center stage. In early December, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Fisher v. University of Texas II, in which a white student, Abigail Fisher, challenged the use of race in college admissions.
Join us on December 7 to ask important questions, such as, what will the case mean for the future of affirmative action policies in higher education? Will the Supreme Court continue to push universities to consider alternatives to racial preferences, such as affirmative action for economically disadvantaged students of all races? What are the costs and benefits of new paths to diversity? Could a conservative Supreme Court decision in Fisher II actually lead to new programs favored by liberals – increased financial aid, more transfers from community colleges to four-year institutions, reduced emphasis on SAT and ACT scores, and an end to legacy preferences for the children of alumni?
The panel discussion will feature influential figures from the higher education sector, including:
- Roger Clegg, President and General Counsel, Center for Equal Opportunity
- Lia Epperson, Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs, American University Washington College of Law. Former director, education law and policy group, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund (LDF)
- Richard D. Kahlenberg, Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation
- Gerald Torres, Jane M.G. Foster Professor of Law, Cornell Law School
- Alia Wong, Associate Editor for Education, The Atlantic (moderator)
- Melissa Harris-Perry, TCF Trustee, MSNBC host, Wake Forest professor, and director of the Anna Julia Cooper Center (respondent)
A light lunch will be served at the event.
For questions and concerns please contact [email protected].