Us Congress House Bill HB6615

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/6/23
• Refer: 12/6/23

Caption

College Admissions Accountability Act of 2023

Impact

The introduction of this bill reflects a significant shift in how federal law may enforce civil rights in higher education. The establishment of the Special Inspector General aims to ensure compliance with constitutional and legal standards by reviewing admissions practices and financial aid determinations. Institutions found violating these laws may lose eligibility for federal funding, thereby incentivizing universities to modify their policies in alignment with the ruling and federal statutes.

Summary

House Bill 6615, known as the College Admissions Accountability Act of 2023, seeks to establish an Office of the Special Inspector General for Unlawful Discrimination in Higher Education within the Department of Education. This office would be responsible for investigating allegations of unlawful discrimination in college admissions policies that violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act follows the Supreme Court's ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, which deemed race-based admissions practices illegal.

Contention

The bill raises significant points of contention regarding academic freedom and the autonomy of institutions in shaping their admissions policies. Critics argue that it may hinder efforts to promote diversity in higher education and re-establish practices that could systematically favor students from historically underrepresented groups. Furthermore, the mandate for accountability and corrective actions from the Inspector General's office could impose stringent requirements that some institutions might view as an infringement on their governance and decision-making abilities.