California May Ban Legacy Admissions at Universities

California could become the fourth state to ban legacy admissions preferences at universities under a bill making its way through the State Legislature.

California lawmakers are considering AB 1780, a bill that would prohibit universities in the state from giving preferential treatment to applicants because of their family ties to donors or alumni.

With affirmative action banned in higher education, “it makes complete sense to now ensure that we don’t look at someone’s wealth or lineage with the university to decide whether to admit them,” Phil Ting, a Bay Area Democrat who is the bill’s author, told me.

The bill “doesn’t ban admitting donors’ or alumni children,” he added.

“It just ensures that there’s no preferential treatment.”