UNC Chapel Hill To Provide More Free Tuition To Ensure Diversity Amid SCOTUS’ Affirmative Action Ruling
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) is exploring ways to mitigate the impact of the recent decision on affirmative action.
As previously reported by AfroTech, the university, along with Harvard University, had its affirmative action programs struck down after the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled that affirmative action violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution.
“We will follow the Supreme Court’s decision in all respects,” Kevin M. Guskiewicz, chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill, shared in a statement, per The Washington Post. “That means race will not be a factor in admissions decisions at the University. It also means we will comply with the Court’s ruling that an applicant’s lived racial experience cannot be credited as ‘race for race’s sake,’ but instead under some circumstances may illuminate an individual’s character and contributions.”
While UNC-Chapel Hill is complying with the ruling, it is also working around the turn of events to ensure more access to being admitted.
The Washington Post reports that UNC-Chapel Hill announced it will further expand on providing free tuition to low- and middle-income families. Students who come from families that make less than $80,000 a year will be eligible for financial aid.
“We want to make sure students know financial constraints should not stand in the way of their dreams,” Guskiewicz said.
The UNC-Chapel Hill officials aim for the new expansion — set to take effect in fall 2024 — to combat how the striking of affirmative action will affect the number of Black and Latino students who will attend, the outlet notes.
UNC-Chapel Hill isn’t the only one advocating for diversity. As AfroTech previously told you, Charles Barkley said he will donate millions to Auburn University.
“In my will, I am leaving Auburn $5 million,” Barkley said, according to AL.com. “I’m going to change it to be just for scholarships for Black students. That’s just my way of trying to make sure Auburn stays diverse. I love Auburn. I’ve actually changed it to be used for kids from poor homes.”
He continued, “But after that ruling yesterday, my phone was blowing up. I was talking to my friends and said, ‘I need to make sure Black folks always have a place at Auburn. So I’m gonna change my will and make it exclusively for Black students – all $5 million. It’s just for me the right thing to do. I always want to make sure that Auburn’s diverse.”
