In the wake of the US Supreme Court's decision to eliminate affirmative action in college admissions, leading universities such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and Harvard are experiencing a significant decrease in black student enrollment. The repercussions of this decline are raising concerns among experts about the long-term effects of a lack of diversity on campuses.

Samantha Greene, president of the Black Student Movement at UNC, observed a noticeable difference in the student body upon arriving on campus in August. She noted a decrease in both attendance and the overall presence of black students, particularly during the Black Student Convocation. UNC Chapel Hill recently released a profile of incoming freshmen and transfer students, revealing a 25% drop in the number of black students admitted, reducing their representation from 10.5% to 7.8%.

Harvard University has also experienced a similar decline in black enrollment, with a 22% decrease in black freshmen compared to the previous year. Both institutions were involved as plaintiffs in the Supreme Court case that led to the end of considering race and ethnicity in college admissions.

The impact of these changes in demographics is causing students like Samantha Greene to question their choice of university. Greene expressed disappointment, as she had chosen UNC because of its robust diversity. She now feels concerned about the decreased presence of black students on campus.

The effects of ending affirmative action on university admissions vary among highly selective and competitive institutions. While Yale University maintained a steady percentage of black students admitted at 14%, there was a 20% decrease in the number of Asian students compared to the previous year. At UNC Chapel Hill, although black student enrollment decreased, there was a slight increase in the percentage of Asian and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander students.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) witnessed a significant decline in black student admissions to the class of 2028, plummeting from 15% to 5%. Latino students also experienced a 31% decrease. MIT’s dean of admissions, Stu Schmill, stated that this change reflects the impact of the Supreme Court ruling. He acknowledged that the ruling likely excluded many well-qualified applicants from historically underrepresented backgrounds, hindering their chances of excelling academically.

Apart from the decline in black student admissions, universities are also grappling with the self-reporting of race on applications. Some students opt not to disclose their race, which further skews the available demographic data.

The sharp decrease in black student admissions at UNC Chapel Hill has ignited outcry among students and alumni. In response, Rachelle Feldman, vice provost of enrollment, assured the public that the university is committed to reaching out to students from all backgrounds, supporting their academic journeys and fostering an inclusive environment.

William R. Fitzsimmons, Harvard University's dean of admissions and financial aid, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of diversity within their community. He stated that the university is determined to bring together students from various backgrounds and perspectives, both inside and outside the classroom.

However, Ed Blum, the legal activist responsible for the lawsuit against Harvard and UNC, sees the impact of the court decision differently. Blum believes that ending affirmative action practices in college admissions has significantly benefited all students. He cites numerous polls, indicating that a majority of Americans, regardless of race, oppose considering race as a factor in admissions.

Looking back at history, the end of affirmative action policies in the 1990s resulted in long-term economic repercussions for students of color. California's ban on affirmative action in 1998 led to a substantial decline in black and Hispanic enrollment at the state's most selective schools. Research conducted by Princeton University's economics professor, Zachary Bleemer, reveals that these bans not only reduced the number of underrepresented minority applicants but also affected their chances of earning a college degree, pursuing lucrative STEM fields, and obtaining graduate degrees.

However, Bleemer notes that universities have found ways to maintain diversity through race-neutral admissions policies. Programs such as top-tier admissions policies, which guarantee automatic acceptance for top-performing high school graduates, have increased black and Hispanic student enrollment, albeit not to the same degree as race-conscious affirmative action policies.

As universities continue to grapple with the consequences of ending affirmative action, the long-term effects on diversity and student success remain a concern. The debate surrounding race-conscious admissions is far from over, as institutions seek to strike a balance between equal opportunity and fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment.