Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard in the Lower Courts

​In the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in Boston ruled on Nov. 12, 2020, that Harvard does not discriminate against Asian-American applicants, reaffirming the importance of race-conscious admissions in helping construct diverse campuses.

The panel of judges upheld the decision by the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, setting up a possible case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Read ACE President Ted Mitchell's statement on the decision here.

ACE and 40 other associations submitted an amicus brief to the appeals court in support of Harvard on May 21, 2020.

Read the Amicus brief
read the ruling
In the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Supported by 130 pages of factual findings and legal conclusions, Judge Allison Burroughs ruled for Harvard​ on Sept. 30, 2019. ACE and 36 other associations filed an amicus brief in support of Harvard prior to the hearing.

Read the Amicus BriefRead the Ruling

Analysis on the District Court Decision

The Harvard Admissions Case: Reactions to the Judge's Ruling​
ACE Vice President and General Counsel Peter G. McDonough talks with four experts on diversity in admissions policy about the decision.  ​

Takeaways from the District Court Decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard: A Preliminary Analysis
College Board Access & Diversity Collaborative

ACE Statements and Commentary

Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Harvard University Admissions Case Ruling
Oct. 1, 2019

No Retreat
Inside Higher Ed | June 10, 2019

Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Trump Administration Decision to Rescind Guidelines on Race in College Admissions
July 3, 2018

ACE Board of Directors Resolution on Diversity
Resolution approved by the ACE Board of Directors on June 19, 2012, to preserve, support, and enhance diversity on college and university campuses.