Following the Supreme Court’s ruling that gutted affirmative action, effectively ending race-conscious admissions, the University of North Carolina has voted to bar the use of “race, sex, color or ethnicity” in hiring and admissions.
“I’m confident that we’re taking all the necessary steps to fully comply,” UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said on Friday after the Board of Trustees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill approved the update.
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In a three-page resolution, approved by the board’s audit committee on Wednesday, it is stated that there will be no “preferential treatment” to any individual or group on the basis of race, according to the News & Observer of Raleigh.
The conservative majority Supreme Court in June rejected race-conscious admissions in colleges and universities by a vote of 6-3.
The opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, said UNC and Harvard violated the equal protection clause.
“Both programs lack sufficiently focused and measurable objectives warranting the use of race, unavoidably employ race in a negative manner, involve racial stereotyping, and lack meaningful end points,” the opinion states.
UNC trustees have been in discussion of how to transition after last month’s ruling that deems the old admissions considerations would violate the 14th Amendment.
“What we’re trying to do is be proactive with this and make sure that we’re in compliance and that we’re providing equal protection,” trustee Marty Kotis said.
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Earlier this month, UNC announced they would provide free tuition for in-state undergraduates whose families make under $80,000 per year.
“Our responsibility to comply with the law does not mean we will abandon our fundamental values as a university,” Guskiewicz said in a statement. “We are and will remain passionately public, and we will ensure that every student who earns admission to Carolina can come here and thrive.”
