Beyond the Ban: Contextualizing the Erasure of Black Student Voices in the Discourse on “Race-Neutral” Policies in Higher Education

• In Event: Equity and persistence among students of color

Abstract

This instrumental case study, guided by Black Critical Theory and Black Placemaking in Higher Education, examines how state race-conscious admissions bans influence the experiences and campus climate perspectives of nine Black undergraduate students at a predominantly white, public university that adopted race-neutral admission policies before the 2023 federal ruling. Our findings reveal that race-neutral policies, including bans on race-conscious admissions, exacerbate the underrepresentation, exclusion, and erasure of Black students, deepening their distrust of institutional leadership. In response, Black students have actively cultivated their own community spaces and support networks to navigate the challenging racial climate. These findings highlight the urgent need for institutions to move beyond performative DEI rhetoric toward substantive policies that effectively address the needs of Black students.

Authors

• Mya Haynes, USC

• Desiree O'Neal, University of Southern California