NCJW Calls on Supreme Court to Uphold Diversity in College Admissions
October, 10, 2012, Washington, DC — The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today called on the US Supreme Court to uphold the admissions procedures used by the University of Texas in order to ensure diversity in its student body. NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement:
“Today’s hearing in Fisher v. Texas reminds us of the importance of allowing institutions of higher education to take the steps necessary to ensure that every student experiences the benefits of diversity in the classroom, a policy NCJW has supported for many decades. It has been only nine years since the court ruled in a previous case that taking race into account as one of many factors in the admissions process was indeed constitutional. It is hard to see what has changed since then that justifies abandoning such a conclusion.
“As Jewish women, we in NCJW value diversity and opportunity. They are core values that have made our country strong and helped us develop the sense of community that is critical to our success as a nation. As members of a minority religious group, we know how critically important it is that our future citizens and leaders have experience in multicultural settings that encompass different ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds. As citizens of the world, we are acutely aware of the need across the globe for peoples of all backgrounds to understand each other more deeply and learn to cooperate with each other more effectively.
“While our country has certainly made considerable progress in the last six decades, persistent segregation and inequality in our primary and secondary schools will deprive many of the opportunity to participate in the best higher education that our country has to offer. College admission offices must be able to take positive steps to assist those who not only can succeed academically, but who can also enrich the classroom experience for all.
“That is why NCJW is proud to stand with all who call upon the Supreme Court to uphold in principle policies like those employed by the University of Texas. Only with such efforts can we assure that those graduates emerging from our institutions of higher education reflect the country we live in and the future we must all embrace.”
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact: Brianne Nadeau
202-265-3000 Brianne@rabinowitz-dorf.com