CASE fully recognizes that across our 3,100 member institutions worldwide, enrollment practices and strongly held beliefs vary widely, and those positions are informed by local institutional context, history, and strategy. First and foremost, we are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in education and strenuously champion increased access to our institutions. Indeed, the alumni and philanthropic support received by our member institutions is a significant enabler for ensuring a more diverse and representative student community on our campuses.

We respect the myriad positions that our member institutions take with regard to legacy admissions and firmly believe that they are best positioned to determine the criteria that will help them build a diverse admissions class with an appropriate range of talent, background, and interests.  We acknowledge the argument that some institutions have determined that legacy practices negatively affect access for underserved populations. We equally recognize that for other institutions, legacy practices are vital in building their enrollment, including students from underrepresented backgrounds whose family members are alumni. 

The CASE Global Reporting Standards state that an applicant’s family ties to an institution should never be the sole criterion for admission, and there should be clear separation between those who work to build philanthropic support for the school, college, and university and the institution’s admissions process. 

Understanding the inherent complexity of the issue, we believe one thing above all else.  Schools, colleges and universities are in the best position to determine what admissions strategy serves their interests and the interests of the communities they engage. We emphatically support institutional autonomy on this matter.