Our Response to the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Decision...

Dear Members of the Cultural Equity Lab Community,

Given the Supreme Court's recent decision limiting affirmative action within higher education institutions, we want to underscore our commitment to minority-serving institutions (MSIs) and students representing racial minority groups. While it is too early to assert with certainty or specificity how the court's ruling might impact our work at the Cultural Equity Lab, we remain steadfast in our mission.

In the coming weeks, we will be working to gain a deeper understanding of this decision, its implications for public policy, and our work at the Cultural Equity Lab. While we do not possess all the answers about the next steps, finding ways to support equitable outcomes for MSIs and students of color has never been more critical.

This process will take time; however, as we analyze our next steps, we are intensifying our commitment to supporting these institutions and minority students more than ever. Establishing free membership for researchers at MSIs to our higher education research hub, through which researchers can collaborate and receive award management support, is crucial in supporting these institutions at a time when their financial future is uncertain. Supporting the capacity of MSIs indirectly supports the education and careers of the students of color who select these institutions for the nurturing yet intellectually rigorous experiences they provide.

In the meantime, we also want to reiterate to our stakeholders and fellow champions for diversity in education why our work matters now matter more than ever.

Sincerely,

The Cultural Equity Lab’s Board of Directors