Amherst and Tufts see decline in Black students after affirmative action ban

The recent academic year has marked a notable shift in the racial composition of incoming students at Amherst College and Tufts University, both of which have reported declines in Black student enrollment. Amherst College, a small liberal arts institution in Massachusetts, recorded a significant drop of eight percentage points in the percentage of Black first-year students. In contrast, Tufts University, a larger private college located near Boston, experienced a more moderate decrease in Black student numbers. These changes come in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that effectively ended affirmative action in college admissions, a practice that had been in place for over four decades. The decision has prompted concerns among educators and advocates about the potential long-term effects on racial diversity within higher education. The ruling prohibits admissions officers from considering race in their evaluations, except when it arises organically in applications. In addition to the declines in Black student enrollment, data from Amherst indicated a sharp increase in the percentage of white students, alongside a slight rise in Asian American students. This trend reflects a broader pattern observed at other institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which reported a 10 percentage point drop in Black enrollment. As more selective universities release their enrollment data, the implications of the Supreme Court's decision are becoming clearer. The immediate effects on diversity are concerning, and many believe that these changes could have ripple effects throughout society, impacting not only the educational landscape but also the broader community.