Ethan Henshaw

Every year, Georgetown University admits an incoming class of students who are wealthier than almost any other in the country. This overrepresentation of students from ultra-rich families stems from a handful of admissions policies we have long known benefit wealthy applicants. But last month, we learned of yet another reason. According to a new legal filing, former University President John J. DeGioia (CAS ’79, GRD ’95) annually compiled a list of about 80 names for the admissions office.

As a result of the Supreme Court’s rulings in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. Presidents and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. University of North Carolina which banned race-conscious admissions, Georgetown University is facing a major crisis in ensuring continued diversity on campus. In his response to the decision, President John DeGioia called for pursuing “new ways of restoring [the] hope” that affirmative action offered.