Word: amicus
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Harvard is well known for its commitment to diversity and non-discrimination; in the recent amicus curiae briefs filed by Harvard in the University of Michigan affirmative action cases, Harvard makes clear that it is a firm supporter of diversity, and in the College’s student handbook it is made clear that “any form of discrimination...is contrary to the principles and policies of Harvard University.” I was thus very surprised when the joint student-faculty Committee on College Life (CCL) voted 8-4 to abandon these principles and allow discrimination...
...percent of the Class of 2007 are African-American. With the Michigan cases currently being heard before the Supreme Court, such a number is especially significant, underscoring the College’s commitment to racial diversity as one of the cornerstones of a comprehensive education. Harvard’s amicus brief maintains the importance of race as a factor in admissions, arguing “[it is a] fact that a racially diverse class improves the educational process by exposing students, both in the classroom and through their informal interactions, to a broad range of experiences and viewpoints...
This is not to say that college admissions should necessarily be race-neutral, but that consideration of racial diversity should be only a beginning, and not an end, when talking about, as Harvard does in its amicus brief, “the powerful educational value of student diversity.” Diversity in its most raw, most powerful form is calculated based on the richness of our conversations rather than the incremental rise and fall of admissions statistics...
After Michigan’s policies came under attack from conservative interests, including the Bush Administration, Harvard felt it was necessary to file an amicus curiae brief—signed by 66 universities—with the court. The recent Times op-ed is the University’s latest effort to protect the need for diversity in higher education...
...amicus brief focused mainly on the particulars of Harvard’s undergraduate admissions policy, and did not deal in depth with Michigan...