Will new guidelines affect Minnesota?
The University of Minnesota is one of many schools that take race into account in admissions decisions, as one of multiple factors in what it calls a "holistic process."
"The University of Minnesota's admissions review process is consistent with Federal law," the U said in a brief statement Tuesday in response to the new Trump administration policy. "We, of course, monitor federal guidance on admissions issues, and will continue to do so going forward."
Meanwhile, Minnesota's other public colleges and universities say the change will have no effect, because they don't use race in their admissions decisions.
"Through our intentional efforts to create and sustain welcoming and inclusive campus environments, we continue to attract students from all racial/ethnic backgrounds," said Ron Anderson, senior vice chancellor of the Minnesota State system, in a statement released Tuesday. "The diversity of our student body is one of our greatest strengths, and everything we do is focused on providing an opportunity for all Minnesotans."
The system, which has 30 two-year colleges and seven four-year universities, says that the racial diversity of its student body increased from 22 percent in 2012 to 26 percent in 2017.
Maura Lerner
