The department's decision does not mean the lawsuit is dead
The Justice Department has dropped its lawsuit against Yale, which alleged that the university discriminated against Asian American applicants.
Last year, the department accused the Ivy League college of discriminating against Asian American and white applicants.
The Justice Department then officially filed a lawsuit against the college, claiming Yale’s “oversized, standardless, intentional use of race has subjected domestic, non-transfer applicants to Yale College to discrimination on the ground of race.”
On Wednesday, the department withdrew its lawsuit, which had divided the Asian American community.
Whilst Yale claims that 2019’s admissions was comprised of 52.7% white, 19.3% Asian American, 13.3% Hispanic and 7,7% black, students argued that East Asians are more represented than Southeast Asians.
“Yale is gratified that the U.S. Justice Department has dropped its lawsuit challenging Yale College’s admissions practices,” Karen N. Peart, a spokeswoman, said in a statement.
“Our admissions process has allowed Yale College to assemble an unparalleled student body, which is distinguished by its academic excellence and diversity.”
The “notice of voluntary dismissal” did not provide any reason for the department’s decision but noted that Yale had not filed any answering papers.
In a statement, the Justice Department said it had dismissed the lawsuit “in light of all available facts, circumstances and legal developments,” including an federal appeals court decision upholding Harvard’s admissions practices.
Nonetheless, it pledged to continue an “underlying investigation” to ensure compliance with the federal funding provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Students for Fair Admission, the organization that sued Harvard, is planning on reviving the lawsuit against Yale under their name.
“It is important that this lawsuit continues to be vigorously litigated through the courts during the coming months and years if necessary,” said Edward Blum, the president of the organization.
“Using race and ethnicity in college admissions decisions is unfair, unconstitutional and is fraying the social fabric that holds our nation together.”
In other news, Fresh Off the Boat star Hudson Yang shared a video of the moment he got into Harvard University.