Will Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action change admissions in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island institutions of higher education face a new reality following Thursday's U.S. Supreme Court decision to curtail affirmative action, striking down the consideration of race in admissions at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina as unconstitutional.

Writing the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts said affirmative action policies violated the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, which essentially guarantees citizens equal protection under the law. When the amendment was ratified after the Civil War, it was initially intended to make sure the South did not violate the rights of newly freed slaves.

But today, it may ensure that schools have fewer students of color. Now, Rhode Island colleges and universities must figure out what it means for admissions here.

Brown to conduct legal review over the summer

Brown University President Christina Paxson wrote a letter to students on Thursday stating that she's "deeply disappointed" and that the ruling has "upended decades of precedent."

In response, Paxson said the university has already launched a legal review of the 237-page opinion, which will require some time.

"The university is committed to complying with the law, while also sustaining the diversity that is central to Brown’s mission," Paxson said. "To that end, a group of senior administrators and faculty has been meeting for several months to plan for possible changes in the law in anticipation of the court’s decision. We have also consulted with experts and peer institutions where race and ethnicity considerations are banned by state law to determine the success of lawful strategies in achieving racial and ethnic diversity."

Brown has been a strong proponent of affirmative action, having joined eight amicus briefs supporting the use of that policy in higher education.

Other Rhode Island schools offer mixed reactions

The University of Rhode Island said it already "does not consider race as a deciding factor for admission" and is "reviewing the court’s ruling for any possible influence on other existing university programs."

Similarly, Salve Regina said its selection process won't change as it uses "a holistic review process in considering students for admission" and does not base decisions solely on race.

Roger Williams University President Ioannis Miaoulis emphasized that the school wants a diverse student body and faculty, but accepts the decision.

More: Supreme Court blocks use of affirmative action at Harvard, UNC in blow to diversity efforts: Live updates

"While we will abide by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College, the decision does not change who we are and the diverse educational community we aspire to be," Miaoulis said. "RWU remains committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse student community, and we will continue to uphold our values and commitments in our efforts to become an antiracist university."

Community College of Rhode Island spokeswoman Amy Kempe said the school does "not have a race based application process."

However, CCRI President Meghan Hughes referenced affirmative action in her statement.

"Our steadfast commitment to affirmative action is integral to advancing equitable opportunities and ensuring that every member of our community has equitable access to education and resources," said Hughes. "This commitment remains unwavering regardless of today’s Supreme Court decision."

Rhode Island College, which does holistic reviews of candidates, is considering what the decision may mean for the school.

"We are actively studying the ruling in detail to determine its impact on our current policies and practices," said RIC spokesman John Taraborelli. "At first glance, this decision – although a big blow to advancing representation in higher education – is really going to affect elite colleges that have quotas or goals around their admissions explicitly based on race, such as Harvard and UNC Chapel Hill."

Similarly, Bryant University and Providence College are planning to review the decision.

College President Fr. Kenneth Sicard said the school "has been planning in anticipation of this ruling since January, and we are prepared to adjust as required."

Schools can still consider race, but it's not that simple

The high court ruling, while rejecting affirmative action, will still allow schools to weigh race – but only as it relates to their personal experiences.

Roberts wrote that "nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration or otherwise."

"A benefit to a student who overcame racial discrimination, for example, must be tied to that student’s courageand determination," Roberts explained. "Or a benefit to a student whose heritage or culture motivated him or her to assume a leadership role or attain a particular goal must be tied to that student’s unique ability to contribute to the university. In other words, the student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual – not on the basis of race."

This is a breaking story. More to come.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI colleges weighing impact of affirmative action ruling