The lawsuit accusing Harvard University of illegally discriminating against Asian-American applicants by holding them to a higher standard than students of other races opens today in a Boston courtroom. Harvard denies the allegation, saying race is one of many factors it considers when determining whom to accept.

The Wall Street Journal reports William Fitzsimmons, 74 years old, who has been dean of admissions at Harvard since 1986, is expected to be the first witness after opening statements. He is considered an architect of holistic admissions, which consider not just applicants’ academic credentials, but also extracurricular activities, formative experiences and personal attributes. Many top universities use the same model to select their student bodies.
 
The trial stems from a lawsuit filed in 2014 by Students for Fair Admissions, a nonprofit whose members include Asian-Americans rejected by Harvard. The group is run by conservative legal strategist Edward Blum, who has funded other challenges to affirmative action, including a pending case against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  The trial is expected to last three weeks.
 
Below is a roundup of news coverage on the start of the trial: 
 
Harvard Trial Will Open With Admissions Dean in Hot Seat
The Wall Street Journal
 
Here’s What You Need to Know About the Harvard Admissions Trial
The Boston Globe
 
Harvard Admissions Goes on Trial as University Faces Claim of Bias Against Asian Americans
The Washington Post
 
As Harvard’s Admissions Policy Goes on Trial, Alleged Victims of Racial Bias Remain Anonymous
The Washington Post
 
On Eve of Harvard Bias Trial, Dueling Rallies Show Rifts Among Asian-Americans
The New York Times

‘We’re Here to Say No’: Asian American Critics Rally Against Harvard Admissions Policy
The Washington Post
 
Elite-College Admissions Are Broken
The Atlantic
 
The Harvard Case Is About the Future of Affirmative Action
The Atlantic
 
The Supreme Court Justice Who Forever Changed Affirmative Action
The Atlantic

Harvard’s Race-Conscious Admissions Policy Goes on Trial on Monday. Here’s What to Expect.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
 
Dueling Rallies on Eve of Harvard Trial
Inside Higher Ed
 
Long-Awaited Harvard Admissions Trial Begins
Politico
 
The Political Incentive for Trump to Join the Harvard Fight
Politico