‘We cannot let this decision be the last word.’ Biden, Obama, Trump react to admissions case

On the heels of a major win for Democrats on Tuesday in the U.S. Supreme Court, the party’s leaders decried the court’s decision to strike down race-conscious college admissions on Thursday as Republicans rejoiced in the termination of a decades-long attempt to rectify racial inequality.

Democrats reacting to the affirmative action decision include President Joe Biden, who addressed the ruling in a speech from the White House.

“We cannot let this decision be the last word,” he said. “While the court can render a decision, it cannot change what America stands for.”

In a 6-3 decision, the court’s conservative majority ruled that UNC-Chapel Hill’s use of race in admissions violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution — effectively ending such race-conscious policies nationwide.

It was one of two major cases to come out of North Carolina this session, with the first being a challenge from House Speaker Tim Moore to the state judicial branch’s authority to rule on election laws. The court rejected Moore’s contention that legislatures have the sole authority to determine federal election procedures.

After ruling against UNC on Thursday, the court delivered a massive win for conservatives, who have opposed affirmative action for decades.

Biden calls for ‘new standard’ on diversity

In his remarks to the nation, Biden implored university leaders to continue considering diversity when making admissions decisions.

“They should not abandon their commitment to ensure student bodies of diverse backgrounds and experience that reflect all of America,” he said. “What I propose for consideration is a new standard where colleges take into account the adversity a student has overcome when selecting among qualified candidates.”

Biden pointed to a section in the court’s majority opinion which said that applicants could still discuss race in their admissions essays.

“Nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected the applicant’s life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university,” the opinion states.

Vice President Kamala Harris released a statement following Biden’s speech.

“It is well established that all students benefit when classrooms and campuses reflect the incredible diversity of our nation,” she said. “Colleges and universities provide opportunities for students to interact with Americans from all walks of life and learn from one another. By making our schools less diverse, this ruling will harm the educational experience for all students.”

Trump, Obama, NC political leaders on court’s ruling

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper denounced the ruling shortly after it was released.

“This decision undermines decades of progress made across the country to reduce systemic discrimination and promote diversity on campuses which is an important part of a quality education,” he said in a statement. “Campus leaders will now have to work even harder to ensure that North Carolinians of all backgrounds are represented in higher education and to ensure strong, diverse student bodies at our colleges and universities to train the next generation of leaders for North Carolina and the nation.”

Attorney General Josh Stein, as of now the sole Democratic candidate for governor, also weighed in on the case.

“Students learn best when they are exposed to a wide variety of perspectives and backgrounds,” he tweeted. “I believe that our schools and businesses should reflect the full strength and richness of our state’s diversity. That’s when North Carolina is at its greatest.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, who chairs the education committee in Congress, celebrated the decision.

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is a welcome victory for countless students across the country – academia’s ivory towers should not divide and promote preferences based on the color of one’s skin. In America, fairness is the key to educational opportunity, where one’s success is judged by merit rather than arbitrary quotas,” she said in a statement. “Postsecondary education has been plagued by affirmative action for far too long, and I’m pleased that the Supreme Court has finally upheld the equal protection of students. Fairness and merit will finally receive the due deference they deserve.”

Democratic U.S. Rep Valerie Foushee, who represents Chapel Hill in Congress, called the ruling “devastating. “

“Ending affirmative action in our colleges and universities is not only a step backwards in establishing a more equitable society, but the repercussions of this decision will be felt for generations,” she wrote in a statement. “Diversity makes our nation stronger, and all students deserve equal opportunity to a quality education, regardless of their income or their racial and ethnic background.”

Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis tweeted: “The Supreme Court made the right decision today. Colleges should not be able to discriminate against applicants based on the color of their skin.”

Former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump also released statements on the ruling.

“Like any policy, affirmative action wasn’t perfect,” Obama said in a statement. “But it allowed generations of students like Michelle and me to prove we belonged. Now it’s up to all of us to give young people the opportunities they deserve — and help students everywhere benefit from new perspectives.”

Trump, while not referencing the case by name, said it was a “ruling everyone was waiting and hoping for and the result was amazing.”

“It will also keep us competitive with the rest of the world,” the statement continued. “Our greatest minds must be cherished and that’s what this wonderful day has brought. We’re going back to all merit-based—and that’s the way it should be!”

University leaders pledge to follow law

Leaders in higher education said they will accept the court’s ruling and reformat admissions processes accordingly, though not all agreed with the court’s reasoning.

Kevin Guskiewicz, UNC-Chapel Hill’s chancellor, promised cooperation after the court ruled against his university.

“Carolina remains firmly committed to bringing together talented students with different perspectives and life experiences and continues to make an affordable, high-quality education accessible to the people of North Carolina and beyond,” he said in a statement. “While not the outcome we hoped for, we will carefully review the Supreme Court’s decision and take any steps necessary to comply with the law.”

UNC System President Peter Hans, a former Republican political advisor, said in a statement that the system is “closely reviewing today’s decision and will follow the law.”

“...Every student in North Carolina should know that the UNC System welcomes their talent and ambition,” the statement continued. “The most important work of higher education is not in deciding how to allocate limited admissions slots at highly competitive schools, but in reaching and encouraging more students to take advantage of our 16 remarkable public universities.”