Black Student Enrollment At Harvard University: The Numbers Explained

Harvard University is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and its student body is diverse, with a white undergraduate population of just 35.4%. In 2022, 6.34% of the total student population of 30,631 identified as Black or African American. This is a significant drop from the previous year, with a report from the Harvard Kennedy School showing a decline in Black student enrollment from 68 students in 2021 to 31 in 2023. This decrease is attributed to the elimination of affirmative action from college admissions. Despite this, Harvard's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community remains strong, and the university has taken steps to address the concerns of underrepresented groups.

Harvard Kennedy School's Black student enrolment dropped from 68 in 2021 to 31 in 2023

Overview

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) is the graduate school of public policy and government at Harvard University. In November 2023, HKS released its annual diversity report, which revealed a significant drop in the enrolment of Black students. The report showed a decrease from 68 Black students in 2021 to 31 in 2023, a decline of over 50% in two years. This drop occurred in the context of a broader decline in the enrolment of Black students at Harvard University and other US universities following a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action.

Factors Contributing to the Decline

The primary factor contributing to the decline in Black student enrolment at HKS is the recent Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action. Affirmative action policies, which previously allowed universities to consider race as a factor in admissions decisions, have been eliminated. This change has disproportionately affected the enrolment of Black and other underrepresented minority students. The ruling has created a "chilling effect," according to Harvard law professor David B. Wilkins, leading to a steep decline in Black student enrolment at Harvard and other universities.

University Response

In response to the decline in Black student enrolment, HKS has pledged to address the issue and increase the demographic diversity of its student body. Dean Douglas W. Elmendorf announced the formation of a diversity task force comprising faculty, staff, and students. The task force aims to enhance diversity while complying with the Supreme Court ruling. HKS is also mandating implicit bias training for degree program admissions readers and increasing financial aid services, including the introduction of application fee waivers.

Faculty Perspectives

Faculty members at HKS have emphasised the importance of diversity and called for aggressive measures to ensure that the student body reflects the diversity of society. Professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad noted a significant drop in the number of Black students in the master in public policy program and emphasised that the new Kennedy School dean should make diversity a top priority. Muhammad advocated for a diverse population "at all levels, from administration to faculty, staff, and students."

In 2022, 6.34% of Harvard's total student population was Black or African American

Harvard has recognised the benefits of a diverse student population, stating that it "allows students to engage with a broader range of perspectives" and provides "opportunities to traditionally underrepresented, underserved groups". The university also acknowledges that "diversity breeds innovation and strength".

Despite this, Harvard has faced criticism and legal challenges regarding its admissions processes. In 2023, the Harvard Kennedy School, the graduate school of public policy and government, reported a more than 50% drop in Black student enrolment since 2021. This decline has been attributed, in part, to the elimination of affirmative action from college admissions.

In response to the decrease in Black student enrolment, Dean Douglas W. Elmendorf emphasised the importance of understanding the school's demographic diversity. He announced the formation of a diversity task force to increase the representation of underrepresented groups within the student body.

Harvard has also been criticised for its lack of financial support for underrepresented students. The Kennedy School, for example, has been the only Harvard school, besides the extension school, that did not provide need-based application fee waivers. This has been identified as a barrier for low-income and first-generation students, who may be deterred from applying due to the $100 application fee.

While Harvard continues to face challenges in ensuring equitable access and representation for Black students, the university remains committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.

10.7% of the Class of 2022 identified as Black or African American

According to The Crimson's annual survey of incoming students, 10.7% of the Class of 2022 identified as Black or African American. This is a notable increase from previous years, as Harvard has faced criticism and legal challenges over its admissions policies and their impact on the diversity of its student body.

The survey, which had a response rate of around 65%, also revealed that 46% of respondents identified as white, 18.1% as Asian, 14.3% as multiracial, 6.5% as Hispanic or Latino, 3.8% as South Asian, 0.7% as American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.1% as Pacific Islander. Overall, 51% of respondents identified as non-white, which is a significant shift from previous years and a milestone for the university.

Harvard has long recognised the importance of a diverse student population, understanding that a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds fosters innovation and strength. Despite this commitment, Harvard has faced challenges in recent years, particularly with a decline in the enrolment of Black students. In 2023, Harvard Kennedy School, the graduate school of public policy and government, reported a drop of over 50% in Black student enrolment since 2021. This prompted the formation of a diversity task force to address the issue and increase the demographic diversity of the student body.

The decline in Black student enrolment is partly attributed to the elimination of affirmative action from college admissions, which has made it more difficult for universities to actively promote diversity in their admissions processes. Despite these challenges, Harvard remains committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community, as reflected in their various diversity initiatives and the increasing diversity of their student body.

Black students at Harvard are less likely to report a family income of over $250,000 per year

In 2023, Harvard Kennedy School's annual diversity report revealed a significant drop in the number of Black students, from 68 in 2021 to 31. This decline in enrollment of Black students at Harvard has been attributed to several factors, including the elimination of affirmative action from college admissions. The report also highlighted the need to address concerns regarding the lack of need-based application fee waivers and emergency financial aid for students.

The issue of financial aid is particularly pertinent when examining the correlation between race and family income among Harvard students. According to The Harvard Crimson's survey of the incoming Class of 2022, White students were more than 50% more likely to report a combined family income of $250,000 per year than Black students. While 33.5% of White freshmen reported an annual income above $250,000, only 21.6% of Black students, 18.9% of Hispanic/Latinx students, and 19.7% of Asian students reported family incomes at this level.

The survey further revealed that first-generation students, who constituted 17% of the Class of 2022, were more likely to report lower family incomes. About 45.7% of first-generation students stated that their families earned a combined income of $40,000 or less. Notably, nearly all first-generation students received financial assistance from Harvard's financial aid program, with 93.8% reporting that they benefited from financial aid.

Harvard's commitment to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all its admitted students, regardless of citizenship, is commendable. The university's need-blind admissions policy ensures that an applicant's ability to pay is not considered during the admissions process. Additionally, Harvard's no-loan policy relieves students from the burden of loan repayment, making it a financially viable option for low- and mid-income students.

Despite these efforts, the data suggests that Black students at Harvard are less likely to report a family income of over $250,000 per year. This disparity highlights the ongoing challenges in achieving equitable economic opportunities for underrepresented groups and the need for continuous improvement in diversifying the student body at Harvard.

The percentage of enrolled Black students has dropped since affirmative action was eliminated from college admissions

In 2023, the US Supreme Court ended race-conscious admissions at universities across the country, dealing a significant blow to the pursuit of greater student diversity on campuses. This decision was driven by the conservative supermajority and saw affirmative action policies at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina deemed to be in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which ensures equality for all US citizens.

The ruling has had a notable impact on the racial makeup of the student body at Harvard. The Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), the graduate school of public policy and government, reported a significant drop in the enrollment of Black students of over 50% since 2021. In 2021, there were 68 Black students enrolled; in 2023, that number dropped to 31. This is the lowest number since HKS began publishing annual diversity and inclusion reports in 2018.

The impact of the Supreme Court's decision is also evident in the enrollment data for Harvard Law School (HLS). The share of Black students enrolled in the J.D. Class of 2027 fell by more than 4 percentage points compared to the previous year. The number of Black students in the first-year class decreased from 43 to 19. This marks the fewest number of Black students at HLS since the 1960s.

The decrease in Black student enrollment at Harvard is not an isolated incident. Other elite US colleges, including Amherst College and Tufts University, have also reported lower numbers of Black students in the first admissions cycle since the affirmative action ruling. The share of Black first-year students at Amherst College decreased from 11% to 3%, while at Tufts, it fell from 7.3% to 4.7%.

The decline in Black student enrollment at Harvard and other institutions has prompted efforts to address the issue and foster a more diverse and inclusive community. Dean Douglas W. Elmendorf of HKS emphasised the importance of understanding the demographic diversity of the school and announced the formation of a new diversity task force. Similarly, HLS spokesperson Jeff Neal stated that the school remains committed to following the law and fostering a diverse community.

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