Diversity in Colleges and Universities Essential to Expanding Opportunity
NEW YORK (June 23, 2016) – In response to the US Supreme Court's ruling on Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, upholding fair access to higher education, National Urban League President Marc H. Morial today reiterated the League's strong support for affirmative action.
“Diversity in our nation’s colleges and universities is essential to our national interest, and, especially in these very racially and ethnically challenged times, for reducing racial isolation and the ugliness of hatred on our nation’s campuses," Morial said. "These times require policies that help foster diversity, inclusion and understanding in our system of higher education – not a retrenchment into divisiveness."
The National Urban League had filed an amicus brief in the case.
"The Court’s decision in Fisher II safeguards the ability of African-Americans to participate fully in our nation’s economic life without facing the invidious barriers of discrimination," Morial said.
“While African Americans have seized educational opportunity and grown the ranks of African American college graduates, the promise of equity and opportunity in education remains unfulfilled. Affirmative action policies such as those adopted by universities that are consistent with Grutter v. Bollinger have been crucial to reducing gaps in educational attainment over the past 50 years."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Teresa Candori
212-558-5362 | tcandori@nul.org
