Key facts
- The U.S. Justice and Education Departments alleged UC Berkeley School of Law's admissions practices favored Black applicants and discriminated against white and Asian candidates.
- The administration cited data indicating Black applicants had 5.8 times higher odds of admission than comparable white applicants in 2025.
- UC Berkeley's dean stated that race is not considered in admissions decisions.
- The Department of Justice is seeking a voluntary resolution agreement with the school.
The U.S. Justice and Education Departments have alleged that the University of California, Berkeley School of Law's admissions practices deliberately favored Black applicants while discriminating against white and Asian candidates. This action represents the latest move by President Donald Trump's administration to challenge diversity initiatives in higher education.
The federal departments stated that UC Berkeley Law allegedly used race, essay prompts, and other tactics to achieve its diversity goals. Data from the administration indicated that Black applicants had 5.8 times higher odds of admission compared to similar white applicants in the 2025 cycle.
Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of UC Berkeley Law, asserted that the school's admissions policy clearly states race is not considered. UC Berkeley's central administration affirmed its commitment to demonstrating compliance with all relevant laws and policies governing admissions.
The Trump administration has previously expressed skepticism towards diversity goals, viewing them as anti-merit and discriminatory against white people and men. Conversely, rights advocates argue that diversity practices are essential for addressing historical inequities faced by marginalized groups.
The U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 decision to reject race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina is a backdrop to these current allegations. The Department of Justice has indicated it is pursuing a voluntary resolution agreement with UC Berkeley Law.
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