The Hechinger Report
California Governor’s new law bans legacy and donor status in admissions, aiming to increase Black, Latino, and Native American enrollment in elite universities. However, the author, a professor at USC, doubts this will solve racial inequality, arguing that admissions and inequality are systemic issues needing systemic solutions. She suggests refining admissions and financial aid, and customizing admissions for different colleges to address various inequalities. Despite the ban, legacy and donor preferences persist due to the need for varied values and needs in student bodies. The author calls for research and policy discussions on making combinations of changes in the admissions process.