Columbia University has outlined a series of steps on Wednesday to review its admissions policies following the Supreme Court’s ban on affirmative action in higher education.
“We are of course conducting all admissions policies and practices in compliance with the law,” University President Minouche Shafik wrote in an email to students, faculty and staff. She added that “while upholding the values that have made Columbia a great place to learn, advance knowledge, and contribute to society.”
A “high-level” working group led by Interim Provost Dennis Mitchell to review admissions policies started meeting this month and is expected to issue recommendations by the end of the year.
Each school within the university will be able to implement its own practices, but the working group is meeting universitywide to compare notes and ideas, the memo stated.
University officials could also bolster pipeline and pathway initiatives that predate the Supreme Court’s summer decision, to smooth the way to enroll historically shut-out student groups. They’ve made an effort to improve opportunities for public high schools and community colleges.
“What I have outlined today is a first step, and you will hear more from me and others as the work advances,” Shafik added.
