In response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last week to strike down affirmative action in college admissions, declaring race cannot be a factor in deciding whether or not to admit someone into college, Rep. Michelle Steel reintroduced legislation to require colleges and universities to publicize their use of personality traits in making admissions decisions.
Some universities, she said, may still use personality tests that serve as a proxy for racial discrimination.
“While the Supreme Court put an end to universities’ discriminatory quota system this week, many schools may still use arbitrary personality assessments that have been used to disadvantage Asian American students in the admissions process,” Steel said.
In 2014, Harvard University was accused of discriminating against academically strong Asian American applicants by its use of a “personal rating,” which includes factors like being a “good person” or “likeability.” Court documents showed that Harvard conducted an internal investigation in 2013, which uncovered bias against Asian American applicants.
According to student records filed by Students For Fair Admission, the group representing the Asian American students in the case, Asian American applications scored lower than others on such traits.
While California banned race-conscious admissions in public schools in 1996 after voters approved Proposition 209, California’s private colleges and universities were exempt from the ban.
Many private institutions, including Chapman University, USC, Pepperdine University and the California Institute of Technology, still include personal insight questions — although some are optional — in their applications to measure potential students’ performance and whether they are a “good fit.”
Steel’s bill would require schools that accept federal funds to publicize their use of a “personal rating” test on their website and application materials, including a statement…
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