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The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University

The Daily Free Press

The Independent Student Newspaper at Boston University.

The Daily Free Press

The Daily Free Press

Emma Clement | Graphics Editor

Asian Americans helped destroy affirmative action. Now what? | Identity Unveiled

Rebecca Peng February 11, 2025
Access to equal rights has always been controlled by those with wealth and privilege, so it’s ironic that the SFA uses the term “fair” in their title. History has undeniably been unfair to certain groups, and although affirmative action is not a perfect solution, it was designed to help level the playing field. While many want to believe individual success is purely merit-based, claiming that white success bears no benefit from racial factors is absurd.
Ibram X. Kendi at South by Southwest Conference in Austin, Texas on March 8. The Center for Antiracist Research will be closing when its university charter expires on June 30. COURTESY OF FUZHEADO VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

‘Behind closed doors’: Ibram X. Kendi departs BU, Center for Antiracist Research to close after 5 years

Nicole Abrams February 7, 2025
Ibram X. Kendi, author, activist and founder of the BU Center for Antiracist Research, is leaving BU after five years, and CAR will close June 30 when its charter with the University expires, according to a Jan. 30 announcement.
The reception desk at The Boston University Center for Career Development. Tuesday, President Trump’s first full day in office, he signed an executive order which aims to halt Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices in various federal, corporate and higher education institutions, including BU. ZIBBY ENGLISH/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

Student leaders fear decreased minority enrollment, employment opportunities after Trump DEI rollback

Nicole Abrams January 31, 2025
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Jan. 21 to curb diversity, equity and inclusion practices in higher education institutions, signaling negative impacts for Boston University students.
Boston University Student Government’s open letter Instagram post. StuGov posted an open letter to its Instagram page on Friday discussing concerns about the 6% drop in admissions rate for Black students. SARAH CRUZ/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BU refuses to publish open letter from StuGov about Black student enrollment dropping

Megan Amato November 5, 2024
The Boston University Student Government released an open letter about the drop in Black student admissions at the University.
Boston University’s 11th President, Melissa Gilliam. Gilliam stated it is important for her to work with student leaders on campus, including those from the BU Graduate Workers Union and ResLife Unions. ZACH SCHWARTZ/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

New BU president pushes for unity, progress ahead of inauguration

Kayla Baltazar September 13, 2024
BU's new president, Melissa Gilliam, sets goals for the future of the University.
Boston University Admissions Office. Boston University reported a 6% decrease in the Black student population for the Class of 2028. KATE KOTLYAR/DFP PHOTOGRAPHER

BU’s Black first-year student enrollment falls to 3%

Mara Mellits September 12, 2024
Following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action, Boston University sees a drop in Black admitted students.
The U.S. Supreme Court building.

Students react to Supreme Court ruling affirmative action in college admissions unconstitutional

Yoko Zhu July 7, 2023
In a landmark decision last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to strike down race-based affirmative action programs in college admissions processes. In response, universities and their students in the Boston area expressed frustration at the Court’s controversial decision.
Foreign Affairs Feature: The plight of Ethiopian Jews in Israel

Foreign Affairs Feature: The plight of Ethiopian Jews in Israel

International Relations Review March 14, 2022
Despite the lack of coverage, the experience of Ethiopian Jews continues to call into question what it means to be Jewish.
East to West: Feb. 7, 2022

East to West: Feb. 7, 2022

Ellen Maloney February 7, 2022

First Monday of February! Today on East to West, we cover essential workers during the blizzard, implementation of unobserved testing, the Supreme Court’s affirmative action case and more. Click...

Students on campus at Harvard University. Challenges to affirmative action at Harvard University and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill will be heard by the Supreme Court which could end the practice of affirmative action in college admissions. MADHAV KOHLI/DFP FILE

Supreme Court to hear Harvard and UNC affirmative action case

Cici Yu February 4, 2022
The Supreme Court agreed last Monday to review challenges to race-conscious admissions at Harvard and UNC.
Monet Ota / DFP Staff

EDITORIAL: Court challenge to affirmative action reignites debate over the imperfect but necessary policy

Editors January 28, 2022
If Edward Blum and his anti-affirmative action activists get their wish — and race is negated from the admissions process — universities may once again start to resemble the days of varsity jackets and old boys clubs, as representation dwindles to abysmal levels. 
Fair Admission: Episode 2 - Diversity

Fair Admission: Episode 2 – Diversity

Edward Sturm March 4, 2021

What does diversity really mean? The battle over affirmative action happening in court and on college campuses across the country leads us to question the way that we talk about race and college...

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