LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In Kentucky, state officials and school leaders are responding to the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action in college admissions.

What You Need To Know

  •  The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday to effectively end affirmative action in college admissions

  • State and university leaders in Kentucky are commenting on the Supreme Court's ruling

  • Universities  are closely examining the details of the ruling

  • Universities will make changes after reviewing the ruling

University of Kentucky leaders say they are reviewing the details, and they believe while they can’t determine admissions or scholarships based on race, they can still consider applicants’ discussions on how race has affected their lives.

“All those backgrounds and experiences inform and shape who we are and how we interact with others,” wrote UK President Eli Capilouto in a statement. ”And we are a better institution when we are committed to the values and principles of creating an inclusive community of belonging for everyone.”

The University of Louisville put out a statement saying as Kentucky’s most diverse non-HBCU, it will stay committed to diversity, saying in part, “Through legally permissible means, we will continue to foster and sustain an environment of inclusiveness that empowers all to achieve their highest potential.”

Northern Kentucky University leadership said in a statement in part, “NKU does not consider race as a factor in its admissions decisions, so today’s case will not require a change to NKU’s process.”

Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., also commented on the Supreme Court ruling during his Team Kentucky briefing Thursday.

“Personally, I believe that the student bodies at our colleges and universities should reflect the diversity of our communities,” Gov. Beshear said. “A diverse student body prepares our students for a diverse world. And, we know that there have been historic barriers to opportunity based on the color of an individual’s skin, and education is one way, maybe the most powerful way, that we address those historic barriers.”

Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron also commented on the ruling, saying in part in a statement, “Today’s Supreme Court decision reaffirms what the American dream is all about—the promise of freedom and equal treatment for all without regard to race. The Supreme Court was exactly right to hold that “eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it.” Universities are not somehow exempt from this core American value.”

Gov. Beshear and the Universities that put out statements said they’ll continue to study the Supreme Court decision to determine exactly what changes need to be made.

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