Occidental’s mission is grounded in the inextricably linked values of diversity and excellence, and our commitment to maintaining a diverse and distinguished student body is unchanging.
Later this year, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to ban race-conscious admissions practices in higher education. We do not yet know how such a ruling might affect Occidental, and we may not know for some time after the ruling is issued. This we do know: While some of our policies and practices may need to change to ensure we are in compliance with the law, such a ruling will not affect our commitment to our historic mission and its cornerstones of excellence, equity, community and service. These are core values for Occidental.
The College's longstanding practice of recruiting talented students from a wide range of backgrounds and its holistic review of all applicants makes it possible for the College to enroll a diverse group of high-performing undergraduates who shine in the classroom, the lab and the studio. Every Occidental student has earned the right to be here. Their impressive record of personal and academic achievement in college and after graduation speaks for itself.
We are carefully examining all of the ways in which we operate, in admissions and beyond, so that we can be as prepared as it is possible to be for the Court's ruling. We will update the Occidental community as we learn more and as the long-term effects of the Court’s decision become clearer.
As we wait for the Court's ruling, we encourage our community to take advantage of the educational and support resources available to them, both on and off campus.
ON-CAMPUS OFFICES
- Office of Equity & Justice
- Intercultural Community Center
- Office of Admission and Financial Aid
- Dean of Students Office
- Emmons Wellness Center
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
- ACLU Southern California Chapter
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA
- California Hawaii NAACP
- National Council of La Raza
- UNCF
- Additional resources
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
- College Board
- Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce: “Race-Conscious Affirmative Action: What’s Next”
- NADOHE webinars (part one and part two)
- The New York Times, “Supreme Court Seems Ready to Throw Out Race-Based College Admissions,” Oct. 31, 2022
- Oral argument, Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College
- Oral argument, Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina