California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a measure prohibiting alumni and donor children from receiving preferential treatment during the college admissions process, joining a growing campaign to end this practice at private universities.

California becomes 5th state to prohibit legacy admissions

California is now the fifth state to outlaw these legacy admissions to private universities after the new law was signed. Beginning in September of next year, Stanford University and the University of Southern California will be subject to this law. Previously, such admissions were discontinued in Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, and Virginia. 

In a statement Newsom said, “In California, everyone should be able to get ahead through merit, skill, and hard work. The California Dream shouldn’t be accessible to just a lucky few, which is why we’re opening the door to higher education wide enough for everyone, fairly.”

New law aligns with Supreme Court ruling

This law complies with the US Supreme Court's decision to prohibit racial preference in admissions to elite colleges for students attending public and private universities. The court cases brought to light a number of benefits that white students received from admissions, particularly from legacy admissions. 

While speaking with The Guardian Democratic state assembly member Phil Ting said, "Student should earn their spot in the institute based on their grades and academic background and not their wealth and influence of family at the schools. Hard work, good grades and a well-rounded background should earn you a spot in the incoming class – not the size of the check your family can write or who you’re related to."

Phil Ting further added, "The law will ban admissions offices from favoring applicants whose family members are graduates of or are significant donors to the school is an unfair practice which often results in a wealthier, less racially diverse student body.”