Legacy’s ‘Last Stand’ in Connecticut

Legacy preferences have weathered an enormous wave of public disapproval and political attacks since last summer’s Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action. Opponents of admissions advantages for descendants of alumni have won a few recent victories; a handful of prominent private institutions eliminated the practice, and recently Virginia outlawed it at public colleges. Now, a critical battle for legacy’s future is playing out in Connecticut’s state legislature, which is currently considering a bill to ban preferences for legacy applicants, as well as relatives of donors, at both public and private colleges.