The Justice Department confirms investigation into admissions practices at Harvard University

[roethlisburger]

@gibby However, if MORE women apply than men, the college is left with a discriminatory choice: do we admit students based upon their scholastic ability regardless of gender? Or, do admit more men (who may not be up to the same standards as the women) to create an equal gender balance? If a college chooses the latter – which most tend to do – they are being discriminatory against one gender. Is that okay?

Having more women apply does not automatically mean a school has to admit men less qualified than women to maintain a gender balance. Nor is it true that all colleges have a lopsided applicant pool. The applicant pool at UCB has nearly equal numbers of male and female applicants for undergrad. However, if a public college is discriminating on the basis of gender in admissions, they should be investigated for a violation of the equal protection clause and Title IX.