Asian Pacific American Studies Program Hosts Affirmative Action Panel

By Jake Jenkins

Dec. 1, 2022

With more than half a century as a pillar of diversity in education, affirmative action is under threat, The Asian Pacific American Studies Program at Michigan State University would like for everyone to join a panel to hear from experts in law, political science, education, and Asian American Studies about the contested Supreme Court case dealing with affirmative action in higher education.

This event will feature Janelle Wong, Director of Asian American Studies and Professor of American Studies and Government and Politics at University of Maryland. Along side with Wong will be MSU’s Kristine Bowman, Associate Dean of Academic & Student Affairs and Professor of Education Policy in the College of Education and Courtenay Morsi, Assistant Professor in the College of Psychology.

The U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 31 debated the legality of race-conscious admission programs used by Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. The decisions in these highly watched cases could have broad consequences for diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in a range of sectors.

The central question in both cases is whether the Supreme Court should overturn its prior rulings and find that institutions of higher education cannot use race as a factor in admissions programs. While that question is ostensibly limited to higher education, the way the Supreme Court rules could affect a range of strategies used to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in employment, contracting, grantmaking, etc.

This panel will be co-sponsored by MSU College of Education and College of Law.

This event will be held on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, at 4:30-5:45PM via Zoom. To register, please visit https://msu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcrdeqgpzssH9CTAWsJ_yZC6YVwIrDTtBo3.