The following is an excerpt of a State Journal-Register article published on Oct. 31, 2022
Considering an applicant's race to foster diversity in college admissions soon could be illegal.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments starting Monday on two landmark lawsuits that challenge affirmative action. Legal experts say the lawsuits could fundamentally reshape the college admissions process nationwide.
Leaders at several public and private universities in Illinois said they will strategize ways to continue cultivating diversity without breaking the law if the case is overruled.
“Regardless of the outcome, UIS will remain committed to serving students of all races, genders and ethnicities, '' said University of Illinois Springfield director of public relations Blake Wood in a statement. “UIS has an unwavering commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion on campus and in our admissions practices. We will continue to be a welcoming and inclusive learning environment for all students who wish to call UIS home.”
In 2020, the UIS student body was 62.6% white, 12.9% Black or African American, 8.95% Hispanic or Latino, and 4.41% Asian.
UIS junior Christian Nix said ending affirmative action would be disappointing.
“It'll be unfair because people of color already don't get the opportunities that other races get as it is," said Nix, who is African American. "I think it's just gonna be another one of those issues where we have to work twice as hard to get half as much.”