<p>Finally, Harvard's admissions policy for Asian Americans is being scrutinized by the Department of Education. It can only be a matter of time before all the Ivies are forced to abandon their discriminatory practices that discriminate against Asian Americans.</p>
<p>"Harvard, for better or worse, would not be Harvard without legacies, athletes, and underrepresented minorities, considerations that complicate an already not-so-meritocratic process. Recent discussions regarding the lower acceptance rate for apparently more qualified Asian American applicants have revealed an ugly bias against Asian Americans at Ivy League admissions offices. According to Jerome Karabel’s book “The Chosen,” this bias has been prevalent since the 1980s.</p>
<p>In fact, in response to public pressure about discrimination and quotas in 1988, Harvard’s Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid William R. Fitzsimmons ’67 asserted that “while Asian Americans are slightly stronger than whites on academic criteria, they are slightly less strong on extracurricular criteria.” These comments are eerily reminiscent of the stereotyping of Jews in attempts to limit their enrollment in the early 20th century. "</p>
<p>DOE is the Department of Energy. The Department of Education is ED.</p>
<p>Secondly, ED's jurisdiction extends to Harvard in almost exactly the same way as it extends to UMass. Jurisdiction is established because both are recipients of Federal financial assistance. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race, color, national origin), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex discrimination in educational programs or activities), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (disability)all bring coverage by the Feds to any public or private post-secondary institution that receives Federal money. </p>
<p>There is a contractual relationship between the universities and the Federal government. When a college receives money from the government they agree to a large number of conditions. One of those conditions is not to discriminate against students, employees, and visitors to the campus on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age.</p>
<p>Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (disability) only covers public institutions such as UMass. ED has responsibility for ensuring compliance with Title II by colleges and universities and some other public entities. Title II does not cover Harvard. However, both are covered under Section 504. For purposes of looking at disability discrimination at any private college under the ADA the jurisdiction is with the Justice Department. There are also some differences in coverage in sex discrimination under Title IX between public and privates. </p>
<p>Basically they are the same.</p>
<p>Any investigation of Harvard on this issue would occur only because of who is presently controlling the Office for Civil Rights. Reason number 356 why I retired. I got tired of conducting investigations on behalf of whites or males that never would have been opened if the complainant was Black or female.</p>