13 July 2023

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UCSF School of Dentistry issues statement on Supreme Court Affirmative Action ruling

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The Supreme Court’s decision to limit the extent to which colleges and universities can consider race as a factor in admissions is a step back in our country’s advancement toward equality. On June 29, we join with other UC campuses and universities across the nation to reaffirm our commitment to building diversity and inclusiveness in education. 

While this decision does not directly impact the University of California system due to Proposition 209, it narrows the funnel of diverse students applying to health professional schools like UCSF School of Dentistry. Given the mismatch between the make-up of our health care workforce and the diversity of our country, expanding access to health professional education has never been more important. This is just one way our society will benefit from increased student diversity.  

Policies such as affirmative action have given those held back or overlooked by structural inequities a chance to transform their lives through the power of education. Those students put in the hard work and passed the tests just like their classmates, proving along the way that they belonged. In the process, they enriched the educational experience of all students. As we see every day at UCSF, when diverse minds mix, better ideas, innovations and outcomes follow.  

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson wrote in her dissenting opinion, “Deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life.” While an important tool to help address historic inequities has been removed today, we will continue to pursue all avenues available to help all people access education. It is incumbent upon us to support student diversity, not only because it is the right thing to do for our students but because it moves us forward as a society.