Latinos United for Healthcare

Court ruling in favor of diversity policies in higher education keeps doors of opportunity open to Latino students

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION 
June 25, 2013 

Washington, D.C. -- The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 36 of the nation’s preeminent Latino organizations, welcomed the U.S. Supreme Court’s 7-1 decisionin Fisher v. University of Texas, issued yesterday, that preserves diversity in admissions policies at institutions of higher education. Last year, nineteen NHLA member organizations filed an amicus brief in support of the University of Texas’ admissions policies.

“Demographic trends make it clear that America cannot succeed unless Latinos succeed. Monday’s Supreme Court decision will help us get there by recognizing that diversity in higher education benefits all students, our workforce, and the country as a whole,” said Hector Sanchez, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). “NHLA and its member organizations look forward to continuing to partner with educational institutions, employers and government at all levels to promote diversity in order to strengthen the economic and social vitality of the nation.”

"Ruling in a case out of Texas, a state with a decades-long record of extreme inequality in educational opportunity among K-12 school districts, the Supreme Court had little choice but to recognize the continued necessity of considering race in admissions in order to obtain essential diversity in university classrooms," stated Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of MALDEF. "On remand, we expect the University to prevail in supporting its carefully designed program."

“We are encouraged by the Court’s reaffirmation of the earlier Bakke and Grutter decisions that recognize diversity as a legitimate educational objective and a compelling state interest. We continue to stand with the University of Texas as it prepares to defend its admissions procedures in the appeals court as required by the Supreme Court’s decision,” said Antonio Flores, President & CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

“We welcome the decision by the Supreme Court to preserve the critical programs that promote greater diversity at our colleges and universities. It is certainly in our collective interest as a nation to ensure that the next generation of leaders and our future workforce have access to our institutions of higher learning and are able to enhance that learning experience by sharing a classroom with students who have a variety of talents, backgrounds and life experiences,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza).

“The National Hispanic Medical Association will continue to recruit Hispanic students who excel in science and math to medical and other health professions schools to serve our underserved Latino communities,” said Dr. Elena Rios, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association.

“Monday’s ruling by the Supreme Court upholds our best and long-standing values of civil rights, economic opportunity and diversity,” said José Calderón, President of the Hispanic Federation. “Equal opportunity in higher education is critical to the success of our students, workforce and nation. Innovative programs like that of the University of Texas are critical to the advancement of Latinos, the nation’s fastest growing and largest minority community. We remain confident that ultimately the Court of Appeals will uphold the university’s carefully crafted admission policy. Building on this decision, we continue to call on universities, businesses and other institutions to recommit to fostering diversity and expanding equal opportunity.”

"We are glad that the majority of the court found that there was a need for equal opportunity in higher education. The court made clear that the university may consider racial and ethnic diversity as one factor in building a class of well-qualified students. Expanding opportunities for students of all backgrounds is in everyone’s interest. Hopefully the Court’s decision recommits America’s educational, business, and other institutions to fair and thoughtful ways of fostering diverse participation,” said Juan Cartagena, President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF.

“Yesterday's decision by the Supreme Court recognizes the important role diversity policies play in helping students, including Latinas, achieve their goals. Education is critically important to creating greater economic and social opportunities for women and Latino families. NLIRH will stand with the University of Texas as it prepares to defend its admissions policy,” said Jessica González-Rojas, Executive Director of National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health.

"As we wait for the lower court to rule, this is a unique opportunity for policymakers to continue the national dialogue on the issue and examine how alternative admissions policies might continue to foster diversity and ensure equal higher education access for Latinos and all students," stated Arturo Vargas executive director of NALEO Educational Fund. "The stakes are high for our community and nation, and our organization remains firmly committed to ensuring our membership and nation's policymakers have the information, resources and professional development opportunities necessary to tackle the task ahead."

"As a University of Texas alum and parent of a UT graduate I am proud of the strategic efforts taken by the University to be more inclusive. Hispanic participation greatly improved from the time I attended to the time my son was a student. It has made a big difference for both of us in being able to contribute to society at a greater level and that is what the UT can do for thousands more. We continue to support the University in its noble efforts to make a difference in educating tomorrow's leaders," stated Alma Morales Riojas, President and CEO of MANA, A National Latina Organization.

Established in 1991, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org and LatinosUnited.org and follow @NHLAgenda.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

| Melody Gonzales | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (202) 508-6917 |

| Brenda Arredondo | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (915) 373-1483 |

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American GI Forum | ASPIRA Association, Inc. | Avance | Casa de Esperanza | Cuban American National Council | Farmworkers Justice | Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities | Hispanic Federation | Hispanic National Bar Association | Labor Council for Latin American Advancement | Latino Justice PRLDEF | League of United Latin American Citizens | MANA, A National Latina Organization | Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund | National Alliance of Latin American & Caribbean Communities | NALEO Educational Fund | National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives | National Association of Hispanic Publications | National Association of Latino Independent Producers | National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. | National Council of La Raza | National Hispana Leadership Institute | National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators | National Hispanic Council on Aging | National Hispanic Environmental Council | National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts | National Hispanic Media Coalition | National Hispanic Medical Association | National Institute for Latino Policy | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health | National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. | SER – Jobs for Progress National, Inc. | Southwest Voter Registration Education Project | United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce | U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute

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