“Data produced by Yale show that Asian American applicants have a much lower chance of admission than do members of Yale’s preferred racial groups, even when those Asian Americans have much higher academic qualifications and comparable ratings by Yale’s admissions officers. Every year from 2000 to 2017, Yale offered admission to Asian American applicants to Yale College at rates below their proportion of the applicant pool. During this same 18-year period, Yale offered admission to White applicants at rates below their proportion of the applicant pool in a majority of years.”
– letter from Eric Dreiband, Assistant Attorney General Civil Rights Division, US Department of Justice“Yale’s data and other information show that Yale is racially balancing its admitted class, with the major racial groups remaining remarkably stable for approximately the last decade,” Dreiband said in the letter.
The letter ends by saying if Yale fails to meet remedial measures by August 27, the DOJ may determine that compliance cannot be secured by voluntary means they will be prepared to file a lawsuit to enforce Yale’s Title VI obligations.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, Yale’s President Peter Salovey said the school remains steadfastly committed to diversity.
Salovey said Yale had produced large quantities of documents and data, and that the DOJ concluded its investigation before reviewing and receiving all the information requested.
“The department’s allegation is baseless,” he wrote, adding that the DOJ inexplicably rushed to conclude its investigation.
“Yale College will not change its admissions processes in response to today’s letter,” he continued.
“We will continue to create a student body that is rich in a diverse range of ideas, expertise, and experiences. Such a student body greatly enhances students’ academic experiences and maximizes their future success. By bringing people of different backgrounds, talents, and perspectives together, we best prepare our students for a complex and dynamic world.”
– Yale University President Peter Salovey