The legacy admissions debate | Morning Newsletter
And DeSantis’ aggressive fundraising.
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When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June that colleges could not use race as a factor in admission decisions, colleges faced renewed and intensified scrutiny around legacy preference policies, which give an edge to prospective students related to alumni.
It’s not surprising that the U.S. Department in July began investigating Harvard’s polices around legacy admissions in response to a complaint from a civil rights group.
As universities and colleges navigate new ways to ensure diversity, our lead story features schools that are debating the merits of legacy admissions.
— Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Legacy preference has long been criticized for giving another advantage to whiter and wealthier families at top schools. At the same time, some colleges worry that getting rid of the practice means alienating families that have attended and financially supported them for generations.
Several colleges opted to do away with legacy preference before the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to ban race-conscious admissions practices. Bryn Mawr, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of Pittsburgh don’t consider prospective students’ legacies during admissions anymore.
Other colleges are just starting to talk about making a change. Some aren’t convinced that losing legacy as a consideration would significantly alter student demographics.
Continue reading to learn what experts have to say on the issue — and what colleges should do.
What you should know today
Here’s the list of Eagles’ initial 53-man roster, and the players they had to cut to get there.
A court-appointed psychiatrist found the accused gunman in the Kingsessing mass shooting incompetent to stand trial, pausing his case.
Hundreds of janitors marched through Center City on Tuesday to demand a fair new contract.
Cherelle Parker, the Democratic nominee for mayor in Philadelphia, called an upcoming “Latino Town Hall” fake as her Republican competitor David Oh said he plans to participate.
The Pennridge School District approved a controversial new social studies curriculum despite intense opposition. It was crafted by a consultant with ties to the conservative Hillsdale College. The Republican-led board delayed implementation until next year.
Deputy Mayor Anne Fadullon — the Kenney administration’s point person for negotiating with City Council on housing and land use policy — left city government after serving eight years. She spoke to The Inquirer about her tenure.
The Federal Communications Commissions is allowing public comment on a petition to deny Fox 29′s broadcast license over allegations that it shared “knowingly false allegations about the 2020 election.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will attend three fundraisers across Pennsylvania on Tuesday. He’s set to attend a breakfast in Harrisburg, a lunch in Altoona, and an evening reception in Pittsburgh. All are ticketed events with high-dollar donations.
His visit comes as DeSantis recently rebooted his campaign.
Where he stands: DeSantis is in a distant second place behind former President Donald Trump in the Republican presidential primary polls. He has raised $20.1 million so far, second to Trump’s $36 million, according to campaign finance reports that reflect all donations through June.
Note: Pennsylvania ranked fifth for both DeSantis and Trump in large-dollar fundraising, with both raising similar shares of their fundraising dollars from the state. Although Trump is out-raising him, DeSantis is raising money quickly.
Read on for the data breakdown of DeSantis’ fundraising momentum.
🧠 Trivia time 🧠
A diner broke the record last week for the world’s largest cheesesteak. Which state is it in?
A) Pennsylvania
B) New Jersey
C) New York
D) Idaho
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re...
👀 Viewing: What the reimagined former Family Court building and the new African American museum on the Parkway could look like.
💭 Wondering: How there’s only one Philly influencer marketing agency. Meet Alex Prushinski, the owner of 215 Agency.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram 🧩
Hint: Art collection
BROADEN FOUNTAINS
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Dawn Leinberger, who correctly guessed Tuesday’s answer: Philly Special.
Photo of the day
Have a great day! I’ll be back with the latest news tomorrow morning.