News Summary
A federal lawsuit has been filed against the University of California, alleging unlawful racial considerations in its undergraduate admissions process. The organization Students Against Racial Discrimination, founded by professors, claims that the UC system favors non-Asian racial minorities and discriminates against Asian-American and white applicants. The lawsuit seeks an independent monitor to review admissions practices amidst recent changes in affirmative action laws. UC has stated it complies with Proposition 209, a measure prohibiting race consideration in admissions. The implications of this lawsuit could have a significant impact on educational equity and admissions processes.
Los Angeles – A lawsuit was filed on Monday in federal district court against the University of California (UC), alleging that the university illegally considers race in its undergraduate admissions process. The claim suggests that the UC system gives preference to “non-Asian racial minorities,” which includes Black and Latino students, while discriminating against a significant number of Asian-American and white applicants.
The lawsuit is brought forth by an organization called Students Against Racial Discrimination, founded by Richard Sander, a law professor at UCLA, and Tim Groseclose, a professor at George Mason University. This group was established last year with the aim of challenging what it describes as discriminatory admissions practices. Sander, a well-known critic of affirmative action, previously filed a lawsuit against UC in 2018, seeking further transparency regarding UC admissions that implied race might be a factor in decision-making.
This recent lawsuit requests that a judge appoint an independent monitor to review UC admissions practices indefinitely. It references Proposition 209, a 1996 ballot measure that prohibits California’s public colleges from considering race during admissions. Significantly, the U.S. Supreme Court banned affirmative action nationwide in 2023, adding another layer of complexity to the allegations.
Stett Holbrook, spokesperson for UC, mentioned that the university has not yet been served with the lawsuit but reiterated that it adheres to Proposition 209. He added that while UC collects race and ethnicity data, this is done for statistical purposes only.
Undergraduate admissions data from UC indicates that Asian-American students constituted 36.3% of the student body in fall 2024. White students represented just under 20% of admissions, while Black students comprised 4.7% and Latino students accounted for 26.7%. In the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, UC admitted its largest-ever number of California undergraduate students, with nearly 150,000 first-year students accepted from over 205,000 applicants.
The overall admission rate for California first-year students increased to 77%, compared to 70% in the previous year. Additionally, the systemwide admission rate climbed to 73%. UC Merced notably saw a 71.9% increase in admissions for in-state students following adjustments to the application process.
UCLA, the most applied-to university in the U.S., accepted approximately 13,660 students out of 145,058 applications for its fall 2025 class, maintaining an acceptance rate of around 9.42%. Among those admitted, 63% were California residents. Asian students represented the most significant racial group at UCLA, making up 40% of the admits, while Hispanic or Latino admissions accounted for 39% overall.
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Justice is currently investigating UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC Irvine for potential discrimination linked to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. As part of its expansion efforts, the UC 2030 Capacity Plan aims to increase enrollment capacity for California undergraduates over the next five years.
In a positive development, almost 28,000 California Community College students received admission offers, indicating a 6% rise from the previous year. The UC’s admissions strategy focuses on prioritizing California students while also striving for overall growth, a goal that may involve proposed funding adjustments from the state government.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of the lawsuit could significantly impact UC’s admissions practices and broader discussions about race and equity in education.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
UCLA Faces Federal Pressure Amid Claims of Antisemitism
UCLA Responds to Federal Challenges with Commitment to Freedoms
CSUF Achieves Top Rankings as a Leading Educational Institution
Federal Judge Restores Over $500 Million in UCLA Grants
Federal Judge Orders Restart of UCLA Research Funding
Federal Judge Restores $500 Million in UCLA Research Grants
Los Angeles Film School Executives File Whistleblower Lawsuit
Construction of Caja de Agua Fountain Begins at Tulsa Botanic Garden
UC Coalition Files Lawsuit Against Trump Administration Over UCLA Fine
Lawsuit Filed Against Trump Administration Over UC Funding
Additional Resources
- LAist: Lawsuit Filed Against University of California
- Wikipedia: Affirmative Action
- SF Chronicle: University of California Admissions
- Google Search: University of California admissions
- Daily Bruin: UC Admissions Data
- Google Scholar: University of California Race in Admissions
- SFGate: New Admissions Data for UC Berkeley and UCLA
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Admissions
- Desert Sun: UC Admissions Overview
- Google News: UC Admissions Lawsuit
Author: STAFF HERE LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
