Richard D. Kahlenberg (The Century Foundatio) has published Affirmative Action for the Rich: Legacy Preferences in College Admissions (Brookings Institution, 2010):
The use of race-based affirmative action in higher education has given rise to hundreds of books and law review articles, numerous court decisions, and several state initiatives to ban the practice. However, surprisingly little has been said or written or done to challenge a larger, longstanding "affirmative action" program that tends to benefit wealthy whites: legacy preferences for the children of alumni.
Affirmative Action for the Rich sketches the origins of legacy preferences, examines the philosophical issues they raise, outlines the extent of their use today, studies their impact on university fundraising, and reviews their implications for civil rights. In addition, the book outlines two new theories challenging the legality of legacy preferences, examines how a judge might review those claims, and assesses public policy options for curtailing alumni preferences.
- Chronicle of Higher Education, 10 Myths About Legacy Preferences in College Admissions
- Inside Higher Ed, Legacy of Bias
- New York Times, ‘Affirmative Action for the Rich’
