Legal & Ethical Guide by Kelsey Cruz https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj en-us 2022-07-19 00:09:21 UTC 2025-10-24 06:41:00 UTC hello@padlet.com Slide #1: Professional Perspective kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799320 Race and College Admissions

In the late 1960s race became a factor in college admission. Colleges see this as an opportunity to increase their student diversity population, which can allow for more underrepresented students to attend college. The universities that consider race in their decision-making, say that this is a part of their holistic review process which I am quite familiar with. I believe that once test-optional admissions came into effect, that is when I personally saw an increase in applications and we continue to see this trend across the United States.  

My audience is the Vice President of Admissions and Marketing, Associate Vice President of Admissions, and the Executive Director of Admissions at Texas Lutheran University. A small, private, four-year institution that is committed to equal opportunities for all students. 

When it comes to reviewing applications, we do not consider race as a deciding factor for admitting a student. We look at the student as a whole to decide if TLU is the right fit for them. While our student population is increasing in diversity, we can always do better and I think if we were to consider race in admitting students, the diversity pool could increase. 

The reason why I chose this topic was that I believe that every student should deserve the opportunity to pursue higher education. I can see why some colleges take race into consideration when admitting students but I can also see how this can have a negative effect. I believe that all colleges should have a holistic review process that includes race consideration in order to make sure that all students are allowed an equal opportunity. 


]]> 2022-07-19 02:19:32 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799320 Slide #2: Interview kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799537 Interviewee: Elliott Powell, Executive Director of Admissions, Texas Lutheran University
  • https://www.tlu.edu/admissions-aid/admissions-team

Elliott Powell has worked in higher education for about 7 years and he has held numerous positions in this field. He has worked in residence life, and new student orientation programs. These positions have allowed him to work with a diverse group of individuals and has given the skills to incorporate ideas on what students want to know about an institutions and how we can keep them engaged. 

As the Executive Director at Texas Lutheran University, he oversees the admissions representatives and supports them meet their quotas each cycle. 

We are seeing a handful of universities incorporating race into their decision making in order to help increase the diversity at their institution. “When we moved to test-optional admissions, we saw a more diverse pool of students but if we were to incorporate race into our decision making, we would need to be sure we are not discriminating students since majority of our applicants are white” (E. Powell, personal communication, July 19, 2022). I completely agree with Elliott. While there has been an increase in applications, I am seeing that majority of our applicants are still white students. If we were to incorporate race in our admissions process, we could see a more diverse pool of students. 

Elliott is worried that race conscious admissions could be taken in a negative way since majority of the students that apply are white, but he thinks that a race-neutral admissions process is a step forward to equality in the college admissions process.

The best practice that we can incorporate race in college admissions are: 
  • Incorporate a holistic review process in order to provide fair decision making. 
  • Create a relationship with counselors at different socioeconomic high schools to let students know about the institution, share with them the application process and promote the scholarships we offer to prospective students. 
  • Consult with universities that have a race conscious admissions process to make sure we can incorporate race in our decision making without discriminating students. 

An area that I believe is an issue is the decline of college enrollment. We have asked all students who have applied to TLU and what their reasoning on why they did not attend TLU. The majority of students have shared that they want to stay closer to home and save money by attending a community college. I have also been told by parents at college fairs that we do not have a diverse student population and that is why they don't want their child to apply to TLU. This impacts my work because we have had to find different ways to keep students engaged when recruiting them and I think that if we were to offer additional aid to students of color, that would definitely have an impact on our enrollment numbers. 



]]> 2022-07-19 02:19:46 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799537 Slide #3: Professional Association: NASPA kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799691 The Future of Race-Conscious Admissions

This article talks about the pros and cons of race-conscious admissions. The author included some affirmative action cases including, Gutter v. Bollinger. This article shows that race-conscious admissions have helped universities create a diverse student population, which helps promote a vibrant community.

This relates to my topic because the author mentions how race-conscious admissions can be beneficial for campuses across the United States.

Sheehan, S. (n.d.). The Future of Race-Conscious Admissions. National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. https://www.naspa.org/blog/the-future-of-race-conscious-admissions]]> 2022-07-19 02:19:55 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799691 Slide #4: News Article One kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799736 Confronting Racism in Admissions

This article goes over the conversation of equality in admissions. It continues to talk about the inequalities that are currently in college admissions which include access to college prep materials, such as SAT prep. The author mentions test-optional and considers race as a factor in the college admissions process to help bridge the gap in inequality.

This article relates to my topic because the author thinks that race-conscious admissions, and test-optional can help tackle the issue that inequality in college admissions.

Redden, E. (2020, October 26). Will conversation turn to action when it comes to issues of racial. Inside Higher Ed. https://www.insidehighered.com/admissions/article/2020/10/26/will-conversation-turn-action-when-it-comes-issues-racial-equity]]> 2022-07-19 02:19:58 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799736 Slide #5: News Article Two kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799791 How do colleges use race in admissions decisions?

This article provided information on universities that consider race in their decision-making. The main reason why highly selective institutions factor in race is because they want to increase the diversity pool of students at their respective institutions. The authors do ask the question of what alternatives are there to consider race and one of those factors is race-neutral, but there are some speculations on the subject. "Some say colleges can achieve racial diversity indirectly by targeting students for geographic diversity or socio-economic diversity. These “race-neutral” programs have received mixed reviews. Scholars have debated the cause of declines in the share of Black or Latino students at some major universities where race is not considered" (Anderson & Svrluga, 2022). In the end, the authors think that if colleges were to consider race in their college admissions process, it will help bring equality into higher education.

This article relates to the topic because the authors ask the question of how colleges use race in admissions decisions and even mentioned race-neutral programs.

Anderson, N., & Svrluga, S. (2022, January 25). How do colleges use race in admissions decisions? Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/01/24/college-admissions-affirmative-action-race]]> 2022-07-19 02:20:01 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799791 Slide #6: Judicial Law kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799850 U.S. Supreme Court

Fisher v. University of Texas

The facts of this case are that Fisher (plaintiff) applied to the University of Texas at Austin (defendant) and he believes that he was denied admissions due to his race, which violates the Equal Protection Clause. The ruling was that the university can use race as a consideration in their admissions decisions as long as it is tailored to a compelling state interest, which includes diversity. 

Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, 579 U.S. (2016). https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/15pdf/14-981_4g15.PDF



]]> 2022-07-19 02:20:04 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799850 Slide #7: Constitutional Law kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799911 U.S. Constitution: 14th Amendment

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws" (U.S. Const. amend. XIV). 

U.S. Const. amend. XIV


]]> 2022-07-19 02:20:07 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799911 Slide #8: Statutory Law kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799953 State: Texas Education Code

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES OR OPPORTUNITIES
An educational institution undertaking to provide education, services, or activities to any individual within the jurisdiction or geographical boundaries of the educational institution shall provide equal opportunities to all individuals within its jurisdiction or geographical boundaries pursuant to this code. 

Tex. Educ. Code § 1.002 (1995). https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/pdf/ED.1.pdf ]]> 2022-07-19 02:20:10 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245799953 Slide #9: Judicial Law kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245800006 U.S. Supreme Court

Grutter v. Bollinger

The facts of this case are that when Barbara Grutter (plaintiff) who had met the criteria for admission was denied to the University of Michigan (defendant), she sued the institution for racial discrimination. The ruling states that the defendant gave a substantial amount of reasoning to use race in college admissions due to them wanting to meet their student diversity population.

Grutter v. Bollinger, 539 U.S. 306 (2003). https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/539/306/


]]> 2022-07-19 02:20:12 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245800006 Slide #10: Local Policy kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245800048 TLU Holistic Admissions Policy

Texas Lutheran University states, " In addition to your academic record, test scores, and essay, we look for students who demonstrate they want to be involved in a campus community and embody the values of a TLU student" (Texas Lutheran University,2022).

This statement shows that even though we do not consider race as a deciding factor in admission, the Office of Admissions department takes a look at everything the student submits when they complete their application. This includes but is not limited to letters of recommendation and resumes.

As an Assistant Director for Admissions at TLU, I have read many applications and I can share with you that I look at the student as a whole and not just by the race they indicate on their application. I believe that when the university adopted a test-optional admission policy, the diversity of student applications grew and my hope is that including race can help grow diversity at the university.

Texas Lutheran University. (2022, March 8). First-Year Applications. https://www.tlu.edu/admissions-aid/firstyear-applications]]> 2022-07-19 02:20:15 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245800048 Slide #11: Ethical Principle kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245800104 CAS Principle #4 Justice

According to the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, n.d., " we actively promote human dignity and endorse equality and fairness for everyone". When I read this, it made me think that this is the definition of a holistic review process that universities, including TLU uses. The Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, n.d., also states, " we recognize diversity and embrace a cross-cultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts". This shows me that the consideration of incorporating race in the college admissions process is a factor that could be considered a tool for universities to meet their diversity quota.

Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education. (n.d.). CAS statement of shared ethical principles. https://www.cas.edu/files/CASethicsstatement.pdf?mc_cid=467ed5fe4a&mc_eid=052333efc4 ]]> 2022-07-19 02:20:18 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245800104 Slide #12: Personal Connection to the Legal & Ethical Standards kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245800184 The ethical standard and the sources of laws that I shared, show me that race-conscious admissions would help strengthen the student diversity population of students. At TLU, I think we have more of a race-neutral admissions process but I think that race can help be a deciding factor for a student that are just below the criteria for acceptance. Affirmative Action has allowed for all students, no matter what their ethnicity is, apply to colleges across the country without being discriminated for that and when colleges incorporate race into their decision making, it can help more students of color to feel a sense of belonging. 

]]> 2022-07-19 02:20:22 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245800184 Slide #13: Recommendations & Implications kcruz1110 https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245800237
  1. Consult with other admissions officers to get their views on a race-conscious admissions process. 
  2. Consult with universities who incorporate race into their admissions process in order to see if it in fact helps bring diversity to their institution. 
  3. Review the Affirmative Action policy and Supreme Court Cases as reference of what actions were committed so that the institution does not face any sort of lawsuit. 
  4. Make sure that we as a department do not shift our ethical principals in order to meet our diversity or enrollment number goals as an institution. 
  5. Present my research to the Executive Director of Admissions and the Associate VP of admissions. 
  6. Complete a proposal to present to the VP of Admissions and Marketing, the University President, and the Board of Regents on incorporating race as a deciding factor in the college admissions process. 
]]> 2022-07-19 02:20:25 UTC https://padlet.com/kcruz1110/i7x3loe38lgrt7nj/wish/2245800237