Following the Supreme Court's Thursday morning decision to overturn affirmative action, we're taking a look at how lawmakers and universities are reacting.
Johns Hopkins University put out this preliminary statement following the release of the decision.
— Johns Hopkins University (@JohnsHopkins) June 29, 2023
The president of the University, Ron Daniels also sent out a letter to the community saying in part, that as they continue to look at the opinions "it is clear that the court's decision severely curtails the consideration of race as a factor for the purpose of seeking student body diversity."
Morgan State University gave us the following statement following the release of the opinion this morning.
"Although today’s United States Supreme Court decision may be viewed as a setback for diversity for many higher education institutions nationwide, and an unfortunate barrier to higher education for scores of deserving students, Morgan State University will continue to serve a multiethnic and multiracial student body. This has always been the case at Morgan and will continue to be the case, ensuring that our doors to higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. Morgan does not use race, nor has it ever used race, as a factor when reviewing applications or in the consideration of admission to the University. In light of today’s Supreme Court decision, we do not anticipate any negative impact on Morgan’s ability to remain a welcoming and embracing home for anyone desiring a high-quality, consequential and transformational college education."
- Morgan State University
Coppin State University's president also released a statement early Thursday afternoon.
The University System of Maryland released a statement that said in part that "The court's majority opinion in these cases rejects 45 years of precedent affirming the constitutionality of race-conscious admissions."
USM Chancellor Jay Perman added in the statement that "diversity is a guiding principle for the USM" and "today's decision doesn't change this mission."
Congressman, and Senate hopeful, David Trone posted the following to Twitter.
Affirmative action helped lift up disadvantaged communities and level the playing field.
— David Trone (@davidjtrone) June 29, 2023
Today's Supreme Court decision only further embeds racial inequality in higher education and reinforces systemic gaps in opportunity that favor only the wealthiest Americans. pic.twitter.com/hoSZ2mGwFc
Representative Kweisi Mfume called the ruling "shamefully disrespectful."
Senator Ben Cardin released a statement saying in part that the decision "is not surprising, but still disappointing."
Representative Glenn Ivey issued his statement as well.
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott released the following statement.
“With this unjust decision, the Supreme Court has helped entrench ongoing racial discrimination in higher education rather than eliminate it. For decades, race-conscious admissions have offered a glimmer of hope to students across the country that their entire life experience would matter. The only thing this decision guarantees is that the history of discrimination and racism that Black and Brown students have been forced to overcome will continue unabated.
“Despite this ruling, I know that Baltimore students will continue to beat the expectations that are placed on them. And I know that Baltimore’s higher education institutions, including our fantastic HBCUs in Morgan State and Coppin State, are going to continue to be spaces of opportunity for Baltimore’s young people.
“We cannot and will not let this conservative court limit the potential and brilliance of our young people, no matter how hard they try to eliminate the progress made so far.”
Representative Steny Hoyer posted his statement on Twitter.
Our country needs to continue working to ensure we are the land of opportunity for all — not just for some. See my full statement on the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action here: https://t.co/oYHS8qNdPP pic.twitter.com/yyXUAt9Nsy
— Steny Hoyer (@RepStenyHoyer) June 29, 2023
Congressman John Sarbanes posted his reaction to Twitter as well.
Today, SCOTUS reversed decades of progress in addressing racial and ethnic disparities in access to education, which is central to the strength of our democracy. I remain committed to combatting systemic inequities and ensuring every student's ability to pursue higher education.
— Rep. John Sarbanes (@RepSarbanes) June 29, 2023
State lawmakers are also reacting to the news on Twitter.
#AffirmativeAction struck down on #StokelyCarmichael’s birthday. I imagine he would say, ‘it was never enough anyway. AA is not #reparations”. All or nothing at all. (But that’s just me guessing)
— Senator Jill P. Carter (@jillpcarter) June 29, 2023
Last fall, I taught Constitutional Law for the first time. I prepared my students for the likelihood that affirmative action cases we reviewed would be irrelevant by the summer. You can't address race-conscious harm with a colorblind remedy. Thankful for Justice KBJ's dissent. pic.twitter.com/IVvuYNrXjy
— Stephanie M. Smith (@Smith4Delegate) June 29, 2023
We need diverse voices and experiences in our educational system -- not just for their benefit, but for everyone's. Pretending racism no longer exists keeps our nation in a perpetual holding pattern. pic.twitter.com/CoeNu9xrzc
— Delegate Cathi Forbes (@DelegateForbes) June 29, 2023
To every student seeing this SCOTUS decision: you matter and we will keep fighting for you.
— Jheanelle Wilkins (@JheanelleW) June 29, 2023
State Senator Chalres Sydnor retweeted the Legislative Black Caucus statement adding, "We have work to do. This Court's decision does not have to be the last word on redressing those harms."
Delegate Kathy Szeliga in response to ruling said in a tweet, "Asians shouldn't be discriminated against."
The statement from the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland is below.
The Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland condemns the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action and calls on Maryland’s higher education institutions to act. pic.twitter.com/oFeAfeHdX6
— Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland (@BlackCaucusMD) June 29, 2023
Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, Adrienne Jones released the following statement today.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is another disheartening blow to our country’s efforts to address the pervasive gaps created by slavery, Jim Crow and segregation. I know first-hand the impact a college education can have on the trajectory of one’s life. Abolishing Affirmative Action will have far reaching implications for Marylanders.” said Speaker Adrienne A. Jones “While this is a profoundly sad day for our country and our state, I have already begun working with Attorney General Brown to look at all our options to mitigate the effects of this extreme decision by the Supreme Court.”
And Senate President Bill Ferguson issued the following statement.
Maryland's Attorney General, Anthony Brown, also released a statement Thursday afternoon.
We are also anticipating a statement from Governor Wes Moore.
This story is developing and will be updated throughout the day as more reactions and statements are released.