Harvard Admissions Case

Our ongoing coverage of the federal lawsuit against Harvard University alleging the school discriminates against Asian-American applicants in its admissions practices.

In this 2018 photo, the John Harvard statue looks over Harvard Yard at Harvard University. (Charles Krupa/AP)

Harvard Students Say Admissions Case Has Drawn Attention To Inclusivity On Campus

A federal judge in Boston on Tuesday ruled in Harvard's favor, but some say the case isn't over. In the meantime, it's starting conversations about race and discrimination in higher...

Judge Sides With Harvard In High-Profile Admissions Case

Boston federal court Judge Allison Burroughs has ruled that Harvard's race-conscious admissions policy is constitutional.

Judge Hears Last Round Of Arguments In Harvard Bias Suit

Attorneys made a final round of arguments in a lawsuit that says Harvard University discriminates against Asian-Americans.

In The Harvard Affirmative-Action Lawsuit, No One Wins

"There’s a reasonable and a vital debate to be had here -- it’s a shame that neither the judge nor the public will hear it," Evan Mandery writes.

Mythical 'Wolf Of Racial Bias' Closes Out Harvard Admissions Trial

After a series of statistical attacks on the school, Harvard's lawyers spent the last week of the trial pleading their good faith.

Harvard Admissions Trial Centers Around Statistics To Demonstrate Bias

"There is evidence of discrimination against Asian Americans in the admission process both in how they rate applicants and the decisions themselves," Duke economist Peter Arcidiacono testified for the plaintiffs.

Local Coverage

Oct 26, 2018

Harvard Has Become More Racially Diverse, But Most Of Its Students Are Still Really Rich

Harvard University's emphasis on diversity in the admissions trial has drawn attention to the ways in which the university does — and does not — reflect the nation at large.

Local Coverage

Oct 24, 2018

Students walk through the Class of 1875 Gate outside Harvard Yard. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Harvard Officials Defend Decision To Reject Race-Neutral Admissions Tactics

Two Harvard deans defended the university's admissions process through questioning in court Tuesday about how much school officials considered using race-neutral policies.

Local Coverage

Oct 23, 2018

Students walk in and out of the Widener Library in Harvard Yard. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

What Does The Harvard Lawsuit Say About The Need For Economic Diversity In Admissions?

The testimony has raised questions about Harvard admissions and college admissions in general — especially involving issues related to economic diversity.

Radio Boston

22:01Oct 23, 2018

Lawrence Bacow speaks after being introduced Sunday as the 29th president of Harvard University. (Bill Sikes/AP)

'We Don't Do That': Harvard President Larry Bacow On Discrimination, Admissions And More

A lawsuit alleging discrimination against Asian-American applicants to Harvard is playing out in court. We spoke with Harvard President Larry Bacow about admissions, race and more back in July.

On Point

06:20Oct 17, 2018

Harvard Admissions Trial Underway With Affirmative Action, Diversity Under Scrutiny

Affirmative Action is on trial. Harvard goes to court to defend itself against charges it discriminates against Asian-American applicants. We’ll have the debate.

On Point

47:11Oct 17, 2018

Harvard Admissions Dean Says The University Changed Procedures After Previous Bias Claims

The plaintiffs attempted to tie Harvard to an ongoing history of systematic racial preference and exclusion. In response, its long-serving dean of admissions calmly defended the process as it stands...

Local Coverage

Oct 16, 2018

In this March 7, 2017 file photo, rowers paddle down the Charles River past the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. A lawsuit alleging racial discrimination against Asian American applicants in Harvard's admissions process is heading to trial in Boston's federal court on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Harvard denies any discrimination, saying it considers race as one of many factors when considering applicants. (Charles Krupa/AP File)

On First Day Of Trial, Harvard Dean Of Admissions Defends Process

Lawyers laid out their key arguments in opening statements Monday, and Dean of Admissions William Fitzsimmons took to the stand to defend the university.

Local Coverage

04:57Oct 15, 2018

Higher Ed Leader: Harvard Is Right To Be 'Deliberate' About Creating Diversity

Mary Sue Coleman, president of the Association of American Universities, joined WBUR to discuss the Harvard admissions trial.

Local Coverage

05:35Oct 15, 2018

Protesters gather in Harvard Square in Cambridge on Sunday, Oct. 14, 208. (Simón Rios)

Day 1: Harvard Denies Racial Discrimination In Court

In 1990, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights documented that Harvard admitted Asian-American applicants at a significantly lower rate than white applicants despite slightly stronger SAT scores...

Radio Boston

15:01Oct 15, 2018

Here's What You Need To Know About The Harvard Admissions Lawsuit

The trial over admissions practices at Harvard University begins Monday. A look at the people behind the case and the core arguments. The judge's ruling could uphold four decades of...

Local Coverage

05:10Oct 15, 2018

Protesters On Both Sides Of Harvard Admissions Lawsuit Rally In Boston And Cambridge

Organizers against the suit say removing the consideration of race would threaten diversity at the school and endanger gains made by Affirmative Action.

Local Coverage

Oct 14, 2018

Students walking in and out of one of the gates of Harvard Yard at Harvard University. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

2 Harvard Students Weigh In On Whether University Discriminates Against Asian-Americans

We talk with two minority Harvard students to get a sense of how this developing story is affecting life on campus and where students stand on the issues at play.

Radio Boston

19:59Oct 11, 2018

Students enter a side gate at Harvard University (Joe Difazio/WBUR)

Defending Harvard's Admissions Process In Upcoming Lawsuit

Radio Boston

19:30Oct 10, 2018

Harvard Discrimination Lawsuit Officially Headed To Trial

The judge overseeing the case rejected motions from both sides Friday asking to rule on their behalf, saying that there's still too much in dispute.

Local Coverage

Sep 29, 2018