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California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed three college admissions-related bills into law, all aimed at making California a leader in improving equity in higher education.
The legislative package, known collectively as “Equity Three,” is intended to improve access and opportunities for all students, regardless of their background or economic status. This bold move is in response to increasing concerns about unfair advantages in college admissions, particularly following the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling on race-conscious admissions.
End of legacy approvals
The centerpiece of the new laws is Assembly Bill 1780 (AB 1780). That makes California one of only two states that ban admissions from private universities and colleges, which often give preferential treatment to applicants with family ties to alumni or donors. The practice has long been criticized for perpetuating systemic privilege, benefiting the wealthy and excluding underrepresented students.
Starting September 1, 2025, private institutions that receive federal funding, such as Stanford University and the University of Southern California (USC), will no longer be allowed to prioritize students based on family ties.
“In California, everyone should be able to advance through merit, skill and hard work,” Gov. Newsom said in a statement. “The California dream shouldn’t be available to just a lucky few, which is why we’re opening the door to higher education wide enough for everyone and fairly.”
AB 1780 follows Maryland's similar ban on legacy licensing at private institutions passed earlier this year. Although California's public universities such as the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) have already adopted policies against legacy preferences, this law extends that ban to private schools that receive public funding through programs such as Cal Grants.
Critics of legacy admissions argue that the practice disproportionately benefits wealthy, predominantly white families while disadvantaging minority and low-income students. A state audit in 2020 found that UC Berkeley admitted at least 55 students through connections or donations, raising further concerns about the integrity of the admissions process.
Two additional bills to increase equity in higher education
In addition to AB 1780, Governor Newsom signed two other bills aimed at increasing equity in higher education. Senate Bill 1348 (SB 1348) establishes the designation “Black-Serving Institution” (BSI). This initiative recognizes colleges and universities that excel in enrolling, supporting and graduating Black students. By offering robust African American degree programs, student success initiatives, and targeted outreach services, institutions with the BSI designation will play a critical role in advancing equal opportunities for Black students.
Assembly Bill 2057 (AB 2057) aims to streamline the transfer process from community colleges to universities. This bill prioritizes the development of guaranteed STEM transfer pathways and ensures that students from underrepresented communities can seamlessly advance into high-demand fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
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