Commitment To Diversity Intact Despite SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling, Says Rider U

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Rider University President Gregory Dell’Omo released a statement Thursday evening, after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action.

Despite the ruling, Dell’Omo said the University will not waver in its commitment to diversity.

“The Supreme Court ruled today that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina are unconstitutional because they violate the Equal Protection Clause. The decision means that colleges and universities can no longer use race as a factor in admissions,” Dell’Omo said in a statement.

“As we work to understand the implications of the ruling, certain things will not change, and must not change: our values and our commitment to supporting a diverse student body.”

In a 6-3 decision, SCOTUS ended race-conscious affirmative action policies that for decades increased diversity on campuses. The court held that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, effectively eliminating the ability of colleges and universities to use affirmative action to achieve a racially diverse student body.

Dell’Omo said despite the ruling, Rider will stick to its commitment to welcoming all students.

“Our goal is to continue to create life-changing opportunities for all who seek them at Rider. This is prescribed in Rider’s mission statement, and is a core value of who we are as an institution. We’ll continue to do all we can to preserve this central theme of our mission,” Dell’Omo said.

“We know that our University, like our communities and the nation as a whole, is stronger when composed of many different individuals who represent a variety of rich life experiences, traditions and cultures.”

SCOTUS overhauled the almost 40-year precedent in the Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. President and Fellows of Harvard College case. More: Supreme Court Bans Affirmative Action At NJ Colleges

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson recused herself from the case, having attended Harvard herself and being on its Board of Overseers.

The ruling is expected to impact the admissions process at many universities which have taken affirmative action into consideration since the 1960s.

Many predominantly white colleges and universities developed affirmative action plans in the 1960s and 1970s as they struggled to attract people from historically disadvantaged and underrepresented communities. Polices were also created to promote greater inclusion of women.

According to studies, the percentage of Black and Hispanic students will decrease across campuses, while the number of Asian-American students will likely increase.

Hours after the SCOTUS decision, Gov. Phil Murphy released a statement condemning the action, saying it takes the country backward.

He said the decision will make it harder for institutions to implement admission policies that promote equitable access to education.

"The Supreme Court’s extreme stance does not reflect the values of New Jersey. My administration remains committed to advancing equity in every area of our society and will be working with our partners in higher education to determine ways to promote equitable admissions within the constraints of this ruling,” Murphy said.

Nine states — Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Washington — have banned race-based admissions policies at public colleges and universities.

(With reporting from Kara Seymour, Patch Staff)

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