Statement on Supreme Court Ruling Outlawing Race-Conscious Admissions

On June 29, 2023, the US Supreme Court ruled that institutions of higher education are no longer allowed to consider a student’s race in the admissions process. While race was only one of many factors in an admission process, it has helped to diversify campuses across the country. 

At Butler University, we have long employed a holistic review admission process focused on the intellectual, social, and emotional development of a candidate. This individual review process takes into account a large number of factors including a curriculum assessment, test scores (if shared), GPAs, extracurricular activities, recommendations, selected area of study, work history, pre-professional interest(s), and essays that provide insight into students’ values and life experiences. Butler values diversity in all forms—backgrounds, identities, socio-economic status, ethnicities, viewpoints, and experiences—and will continue to operate with this lens within the admission process. 

Founded in 1855, Butler University established the need for a broad liberal (as well as professional) education. Butler was the first university in Indiana, and the second in the United States, to admit both men and women, as well as to admit people of color on an equal basis. Fundamentally, all people should have equal access to a college education. Through existing partnerships with organizations like Center for Leadership Development, Indiana Latino Institute, 21st Century Scholars, MLK Center, and Future Black Leaders, we will continue to expand our offerings and fill our enrollment pipeline with academically prepared and well-deserving students from diverse backgrounds. While race will not be shared at the time of admission review, we are confident that our current community partnerships and recruiting strategies will allow us to achieve the diversity goals established in our Butler Beyond strategic direction.