ALBANY, NY (WENY)--MANY COLLEGES ACROSS THE EMPIRE STATE PROVIDE A LEGACY PREFERENCE WHEN CONSIDERING A STUDENT FOR ADMISSIONS—WHICH MEANS THEY GIVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR CHILDREN OF THEIR INSTITUTIONS ALUMNI.

SOME LAWMAKERS WANT TO END THIS PRACTICE FOR BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS—SAYING ITS DISCRIMINATORY AND UNFAIR.  The legislature has introduced a bill called the Fair college admissions act. 
 
THEY ALSO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME, FOLLOWING THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING LAST YEAR THAT ENDED RACE-CONSCIOUS ADMISSIONS PROGRAMS FOR COLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.  
 
 
“New York, the state with the most number of legacy admitting institutions, must take bold action to dismantle the systems that perpetuate inequality and racial injustice and bar marginalized students from accessing opportunity,” said Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-26th Senate District).
 
IF PASSED THIS SESSION, COLLEGES WHO VIOLATE THIS LAW WOULD BE PENALIZED 10 PERCENT OF THEIR TUITION REVENUE.  
 
SEn. GOUNARDES SAid THE MONEY WOULD THEN BE re-purposed BY THE STATE FOR THE STATE’S TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.  
 
MANY STUDENTS TRAVELED TO ALBANY THIS WEEK TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS LEGISLATION, INCLUDING HANA IRA, a high school sophomore and THE DAUGHTER TO IMMIGRANT PARENTS WHOM SHE SAid SACRIFICED EVERYTHING FOR A BETTER FUTURE AND DIDN’T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO PRESTIGIOUS COLLEGES.  
 
SHE QUESTIONS WHY THE accomplishments OF STUDENTS PARENTS SHOULD DICTATE ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION.   
 
“Their sacrifices should not take away from my ability to aspiration in the same manner as my classmates. We must confront the uncomfortable truth that legacy admissions promotes inequality,” said Ira. 
 
THIS BILL IS CURRENTLY IN THE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEEs. IF IT’S GOING TO PASS BEFORE THE END OF SESSION IT HAS TO MAKE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE AND GET TO THE FLOOR FOR A VOTE.