July 7, 2023

ITUP Executive Director Releases Statement on the Affirmative Action Supreme Court Ruling

ITUP Executive Director, Crispin Delgado, released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling on Affirmative Action:

“On June 29, 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that universities across the country could no longer take race and ethnicity as primary consideration factors in the admissions process, essentially ending affirmative action programs. As a freshman in college, I voted for the first time. My first ballot included Proposition 209, which eliminated affirmative action in California. Even as a young scholar, I understood that racism and discrimination swayed California voters to pass the proposition. I do not know where I would be today had I not had the opportunity to be the first in my family to attend college in the United States.  This Supreme Court ruling will change student populations across the country.  

Since the implementation of Proposition 209, many university administrators in California have found ways to create opportunities for students of color, and I hope we can share our stories to guide other states that believe that having diverse perspectives in the educational system enriches everyone. Today, as Executive Director of ITUP I am committed to our vision of having an equitable, affordable, and accessible health system that works for all Californians. Our vision requires having a diverse workforce, reflective of the populations being served, and, unfortunately, this ruling will lift that hurdle even higher. We must all remain committed to ensuring there are viable pipelines available for our future health care leaders.”