California Takes Bold Step to Ban Legacy Admissions at Elite Private Colleges

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To promote fairness in college admissions, the California Legislature has passed a bill that bans legacy admissions at private nonprofit colleges. This legislation, if signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, would prohibit these institutions from considering family ties to alumni or donors when making admissions decisions.

Assembly Bill 1780 (AB 1780), authored by Assemblymember Philip Ting, D-San Francisco, was introduced as a response to last year’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling that banned the use of race as a factor in college admissions, except at military academies. Ting’s bill aims to ensure that college admissions are based solely on merit, not on a student’s family connections.

“We want to make sure that everyone’s getting in because of their own merit, because of their grades, their test scores, what they provide to that institution, not because of their pocketbooks, of their parents or their family members,” Ting stated during a legislative session in May.

The bill passed the State Senate with a 26-5 vote and now awaits Governor Newsom’s decision. If signed, California would join four other states that have outlawed legacy preferences in college admissions. The legislation is particularly significant given California’s large population and its influence in the national higher education landscape.

Legacy admissions have been a point of contention, especially as more attention is focused on the role of wealth and privilege in accessing higher education. In California, the bill will primarily affect a handful of private institutions, including Stanford University, the University of Southern California, and Claremont McKenna College, where legacy admissions have been common.

Supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary step toward creating a more equitable college admissions process, particularly for low-income and minority students who may feel discouraged from applying to elite institutions. Jessie Ryan, president of The Campaign for College Opportunity, a co-sponsor of the bill, emphasized the broader cultural impact of ending legacy admissions. “With any effort that shows students wealth doesn’t offer a leg up in admissions, you’re doing something bigger related to culture and social fabric as students are questioning the value of college altogether,” she said.

Opponents of the bill, including the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, have expressed concerns about legislative oversight of private colleges’ admissions practices. Kristen Soares, president of the association, acknowledged that while the number of students affected may be small, the legislation sets a precedent for state intervention in private college affairs. She also voiced concerns about the potential chilling effects on college access following the Supreme Court’s affirmative action ruling.

The bill, which would take effect next year if signed, stops short of imposing financial penalties on colleges that violate the ban. Instead, it empowers the California Attorney General’s Office to investigate and enforce compliance, potentially requiring more detailed reporting from institutions found to be in violation.

As California awaits Governor Newsom’s decision, the debate over legacy admissions continues to raise important questions about fairness and access in higher education. The outcome of this legislation could have significant implications, not only for California but also for the broader national conversation on college admissions.