Brown University Reports Drop in Diversity Among Incoming Students
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to ban race-conscious admissions policies, Brown University has experienced a significant decline in racial and socioeconomic diversity within its latest freshman class. This trend marks a noticeable shift, reflecting broader changes in student demographics at highly selective institutions across the nation.
The most striking data points reveal that only 18% of the 1,725 new first-year students at Brown come from underrepresented backgrounds, a sharp decline from the previous year’s 27%. This change underscores a substantial impact on the makeup of students following the Supreme Court’s ruling, indicating a challenge for institutions that have traditionally used race-conscious criteria to foster diversity.
Educational institutions are actively responding to this legal change, with Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) both reporting decreases in the racial and ethnic diversity of their incoming students. MIT has noted that the court’s decision hindered their ability to admit many well-qualified applicants from historically underrepresented groups. Echoing this sentiment, Brown’s officials have emphasized their initiatives to combat the decline, such as intensifying outreach to community organizations and increasing visits to rural areas.
Nationwide, there are overarching trends that predict decreased diversity at highly selective colleges, spurring these institutions to seek race-neutral strategies to maintain a diverse student body. Brown, for instance, has ramped up its recruitment efforts and community engagement to attract students from diverse, underrepresented backgrounds.
A closer look at the statistics reveals a clear demographic shift. The representation of Black and African American students at Brown fell from 15% to 9%, and Hispanic and Latinx students from 14% to 10%. While the representation of Asian students remained stable, the percentage of students opting not to report their race has risen.
In terms of financial diversity, there has also been a decline, with fewer freshmen qualifying for financial aid compared to the previous year. Brown attributes part of this decrease to challenges with the rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which may have deterred high-need students from applying.
Faced with these challenges, Brown University plans to reinstate the requirement for standardized test scores for the incoming Class of 2029. The university believes that this requirement, together with enhanced educational outreach, will help applicants understand that their test scores are considered within the context of their overall academic and personal backgrounds.
In summary, the evolving landscape of university admissions post the Supreme Court’s ban on race-conscious policies has led to a tangible decline in diversity at Brown University and similar institutions. The article highlights the nuanced efforts and innovative measures aimed at fostering diverse and equitable educational environments amid these evolving legal constraints.
