On Tuesday, the United States Supreme Court announced that it will hear a case on affirmative action in higher education. This Supreme Court decision could eliminate the use of diversity as a justification for any consideration of race in admissions decisions. A decision like this could have enormous implications for Cornell and represent a step backward for the University. In the face of this decision, Cornell should cement its commitment to using broad definitions of diversity, which may include race, and stand up for its policies.

The announcement by the court came shortly after President David Skorton sent an email to the Cornell community pledging that the University will set target goals for diversity for student admissions and faculty hires. Though these goals have not been quantified, they will take into account several different measures of diversity. One of these measures will likely be race, as the University has mentioned the importance of adding people of color with requisite qualifications in previous policy statements.

Skorton’s message represents an acknowledgement of the administration’s current shortcomings as it works to improve diversity. Though Cornell already uses an affirmative action rationale that takes race into account, the fact that the rationale alone was not enough to raise the level of diversity portends that eliminating racially conscious policies altogether would have negative consequences on diversity at institutions of higher education. Higher education would benefit more from goal setting on broad measures of diversity than eliminating some of these measures altogether.

Cornell has been operating on the principles of affirmative action for much of its recent existence, and this focus on broad measures of diversity, including race, has made it a more dynamic and engaging place. By opening up to those of differing backgrounds, races, religions and genders, Cornell has given opportunities to those who may have been denied it otherwise, helping to eliminate disparities that have persisted in the broader American society.   

At a university like Cornell, the participation of individuals with diverse points of view is critical to enhancing scholarship and learning. Cornell should use its experience in dealing with diversity issues to speak out in favor of its affirmative action policies.