The Trump administration is moving to rescind Obama-era guidance to colleges and universities on how they can use race in admissions decisions to promote diversity, according to multiple media reports.
The Washington Post reports that the guidelines could be rolled back as soon as Tuesday afternoon.
In 2011, the Obama administration’s Justice and Education departments jointly spelled out for colleges their view of the law on the voluntary use of race in admission. A statement issued at the time said the departments “recognize the compelling interest that postsecondary institutions have in obtaining the benefits that flow from achieving a diverse student body.” It went on to assert that schools have flexibility “to take proactive steps, in a manner consistent with principles articulated in Supreme Court opinions, to meet this compelling interest.” The administration reiterated and updated the guidelines in 2016.
The Bush administration also laid out guidelines in 2008, but the Trump administration seems poised to assert its own view on considering race in college and university admissions. An announcement is expected soon, the Post reported.
