Civil Suit Against Harvard for Legacy Considerations

Multiple Sources

Harvard is again being sued, this time by a black and Latino group. Their lawsuit claims Harvard’s legacy admission practice violates the 1964 Civil Rights Act. There is no evidence cited that legacy admits are less qualified academically or otherwise, or that minority applicants would benefit should legacy preferences be abolished. The suit also challenges donor-related preferences.

According to the Boston Globe, “Edward Blum, head of the organization that sued Harvard and UNC Chapel Hill to end affirmative action, told Politico after Thursday’s ruling that he believes ‘legacy preferences are not actionable in court,’ but said the elimination of legacy and donor-related preferences is ‘long overdue.’ Former Harvard president Larry Summers also condemned the practice in an op-ed with the Washington Post.”

Harvard Legacy Admissions Targeted After Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action (Bloomberg, 7/3/23)

Harvard’s legacy admission targeted in civil rights complaint, in wake of national affirmative action ban (Boston Globe, 7/3/23)

Federal Complaint Says Harvard Legacy Preferences in Admissions Violate Civil Rights Act (Crimson, 7/4/23)

For SFFA v Harvard coverage, see our section on The Case.