The California Assembly has passed a bill that would ban legacy admissions at the state’s public universities. Legacy admissions, also known as “legacy preferences,” are policies that give preferential treatment to the children of alumni when they apply to colleges and universities.
The bill, known as AB 697, was introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra earlier this year. It passed the Assembly by a vote of 46-19. The bill will now move on to the state Senate for further consideration.
Supporters of the bill argue that legacy admissions perpetuate inequality and favor students who are already privileged. They argue that legacy preferences give an unfair advantage to students who come from wealthy families and have parents who attended prestigious universities.
Opponents of the bill, on the other hand, argue that legacy admissions are a long-standing tradition that helps to build a sense of community and connection among alumni and their children. They argue that legacy admissions can also help to increase donations and support for universities.
If the bill is ultimately signed into law, California would become the first state to ban legacy admissions at public universities. Supporters hope that other states will follow California’s lead and take steps to eliminate legacy preferences in higher education.
The debate over legacy admissions is part of a broader conversation about equity and access in higher education. As colleges and universities strive to create more diverse and inclusive campuses, questions about fairness in the admissions process continue to be a focus of public debate.
Regardless of where one stands on the issue of legacy admissions, it is clear that AB 697 has sparked an important conversation about how colleges and universities can create a more equitable and merit-based admissions process. As the bill moves through the legislative process, it will be interesting to see how it is debated and ultimately decided in the state Senate.
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