Harvard University is asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit claiming the college discriminates against Asian-American applicants. Harvard filed in federal court Friday a defense, saying student privacy would be compromised if the case moves forward.
The filing is a response to documents filed last week by the group Students for Fair Admissions, which argues Harvard systematically rates Asian Americans lower on personality traits.
In its defense, Harvard says the group seeks privileged admissions data that, if released, would compromise student privacy and embolden paid consultants that purport to know what Harvard wants in an applicant.
The college said this would disadvantage low-income applicants who can't afford consultants.
“There is no evidence in SFFA’s motion for summary judgment, nor in the nearly 100,000 pages of documents that Harvard produced, nor the 20 depositions of Harvard witnesses, to support SFFA’s allegations that Harvard maintains racial quotas or has engaged in a deliberate effort to suppress Asian-American admissions,” said Harvard spokeswoman Anna Cowenhoven in a statement.
“Harvard, like every college and university across this country, has an obligation to protect student and applicant privacy. Harvard is deeply committed to protecting the extensive personal information applicants entrust to us in the admissions process, and today’s filing underscores this effort,” Cowenhoven said.
Harvard insists that its consideration of race in its admissions process conforms with Supreme Court rulings and that the suit is being financed by a long-time critic of affirmative action.
WGBH News' Esteban Bustillos contributed to this report.
