Supreme Court affirmative action ruling unlikely to have local impact

Jun. 29—Pundits, union leaders and various education-related organizations across the country either praised or harshly criticized the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling striking down the use of Affirmative Action programs in colleges and universities.

For supporters, it was a "triumphant return" to restoring Constitutional rule, as Conservative Political Action Committee Chairman Matt Schlapp said in a statement. For critics and civil rights advocates, it was "a tortured interpretation" of the Constitution that "threatens to make higher education less, accessible," as per Daniel Hewitt, executive director of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

But the impact, at least locally, likely will not be as dramatic as all the clamor suggests. People from Luzerne County's three private institutions of higher learning said it should make no difference in there enrollment procedures.

"Wilkes University was founded on the principle of providing educational opportunity to all of those who show potential and that commitment continues to this day," according to a written statement provided by Wilkes Associate Vice President of Marketing Communications Gabrielle D'Amico.

"While Wilkes does not use the admission practices struck down in today's Supreme Court ruling, we do support the overarching intent of affirmative action. Diverse voices, perspectives and experiences create a more empathetic and open-minded society. We live by the Wilkes motto, unity amidst diversity, by continuing to prioritize a culture of inclusion and attract students from all walks of life."

A statement from King's College echoed the sentiment.

"We do not expect the Supreme Court decision will impact our operations at King's College. Race is not taken into consideration during our admissions process, and we are still free to continue our mission of encouraging qualified students from all different backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences to pursue their higher education goals with us."

Misericordia University Vice-President of Enrollment Management Glen Bozinski sounded a similar note.

"My initial sense is that it really doesn't impact Misericordia, or most schools like us," Bozinski said in a written statement. "The impact should be more felt by schools in the 'highly selective' category who have to make very fine distinctions between hundreds of highly qualified candidates, turning many away due to capacity rather than any perception about ability to succeed.

"Misericordia continues to seek out and offer admission to qualified candidates who meet our criteria, which aligns well with our very strong commitment to increase the diversity of our campus. We find that best accomplished by offering high-quality academic programs and co-curricular opportunities that attract students of all backgrounds, and making significant efforts to recruit, attract and enroll students of diverse backgrounds into those programs.

"We have increased the diversity of our student body significantly over the past several years, and are proud to say that our incoming first year class will be the most diverse in the 99-year history of the institution."

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Reach Mark Guydish at 570-991-6112 or on Twitter @TLMarkGuydish