California Governor Signs Law Banning Legacy and Donor Admissions at Private Colleges Starting Next Fall

Sep 30, 2024, 03:09 PM

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1780 on Monday, banning legacy and donor preferences in the admissions process at private colleges and universities. The law, authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting, aims to ensure that admissions decisions are based on merit, skill, and hard work. This makes California the second state to prohibit such practices. The new law affects institutions like Stanford and USC, where a significant percentage of admitted students were previously related to donors or alumni. Newsom emphasized that the legislation is designed to advance access to higher education and promote fairness. The ban will take effect next fall and includes private campuses that benefit from state funding, such as the Cal Grants used by thousands of students.