Is That Legal? Navigating Program Compliance for Student and Alumni Communities-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In the pre-conference session "Is That Legal? Navigating Program Compliance for Students and Alumni Communities," Jessica Elmore opens by emphasizing the importance of understanding oneself, especially in a multicultural environment. She introduces Erica Turret, a legal expert, who highlights the aftermath of the Supreme Court's June 2023 decision against race-conscious college admissions programs. Turret explains the implications of this decision, such as a wave of litigation against similar programs outside admissions like financial aid and scholarships.<br /><br />Turret elaborates on how anti-DEI groups and advocacy organizations have expanded their challenges to areas such as corporate DEI initiatives and reverse discrimination claims. Through various legal frameworks including the Equal Protection Clause, Title VI, and Section 1981, these groups aim to erode race-conscious policies across different sectors.<br /><br />Emphasizing the complexity of these issues, Turret advises institutions to audit programs for compliance meticulously and adapt them where necessary to mitigate legal risks. She also notes the challenges arising from the Trump administration's executive orders which focus on eliminating DEI programs perceived as discriminatory.<br /><br />Elmore later introduces the 3Ps framework (Preference, Protected group, Palpable benefit) by Kenji Yoshoni for evaluating the risk of institutional programs. This approach helps institutions assess the legality and risks associated with their programs in the current legal landscape.<br /><br />Participants engage in breakout groups to apply the 3Ps framework to fictitious programs, considering aspects such as racial preference and tangible benefits provided to students.<br /><br />Overall, this session underscores the urgency for educational institutions to navigate legal changes critically, adjusting policies to align with evolving legal standards while maintaining inclusion and diversity values.

Keywords

program compliance

multicultural environment

Supreme Court decision

race-conscious admissions

litigation

financial aid

scholarships

anti-DEI groups

reverse discrimination

Equal Protection Clause

Title VI

Section 1981

3Ps framework

institutional programs