California Bans Legacy Admissions, Donor Preference at Universities

The prohibitions were a key demand of supporters of affirmative action, who called for an end to legacy admissions and donor preferences.

AP/Rich Pedroncelli
Governor Newsom at Sacramento. AP/Rich Pedroncelli

Colleges and universities in California will be banned from considering applicants status as the relatives of school alumni or donors in the future after Governor Newsom signed a law barring the practice on Monday. Activists say legacy and donor preferences, like racial preferences, are also unconstitutional in the wake of two Supreme Court decisions last summer. 

Supporters of the legislation say that it is meant to “ensure that factors like wealth or personal relationships do not unduly influence admissions decisions.”

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