Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College et al

Filing 455

MOTION for Leave to File to Participate as Amici Curiae by Harvard-Radcliffe Black Students Association, Kuumba Singers of Harvard College, Fuerza Latina of Harvard, Native Americans At Harvard College, Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Association, Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Women's Association, Harvard Asian American Brotherhood, Harvard Vietnamese Association, Harvard-Radcliffe Chinese Students Association, Harvard Korean Association, Harvard Japan Society, Harvard South Asian Association, Harvard Islamic Society, Task Force on Asian and Pacific American Studies at Harvard College, Harvard Phillips Brooks House Association, Harvard Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students, Coalition for a Diverse Harvard, First Generation Harvard Alumni, Native American Alumni of Harvard University, Harvard University Muslim Alumni, Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Amicus Brief by Harvard Student and Alumni Organizations in Support of Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment, # 2 Exhibit Declaration, # 3 Exhibit Declaration, # 4 Exhibit Declaration, # 5 Exhibit Declaration, # 6 Exhibit Declaration, # 7 Exhibit Declaration, # 8 Exhibit Declaration, # 9 Exhibit Declaration, # 10 Exhibit Declaration, # 11 Exhibit Declaration, # 12 Exhibit Declaration, # 13 Exhibit Declaration, # 14 Exhibit Declaration, # 15 Exhibit Declaration, # 16 Exhibit Declaration, # 17 Exhibit Declaration)(Thayer, Kenneth)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
BOSTON DIVISION

STUDENTS FOR FAIR ADMISSIONS,
INC.,
Plaintiff,
v.

Civil Action No. 1:14-cv-14176-ADB

PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF
HARVARD COLLEGE (HARVARD
CORPORATION),
Defendant.

DECLARATION OF THE NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF HARVARD LATINO
ALUMNI ALLIANCE (SIG)

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HARVARD LATINO ALUMNI
ALLIANCE (SIG), pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Section 1746, declares the following:
1.

We are the National Board of Directors of the Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance. We are

writing this declaration in support of the consideration of race, as one of many factors, in Harvard’s
admissions policy. As representatives of the Latino community, we believe that we offer a unique
perspective on the positive impact of race-conscious admissions policies; one rooted in its merit,
rather than speculation.
2.
(“HLAA”).

The National Board is elected by members of the Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance

3.

The mission of the HLAA is to develop a network and sense of community among current

and future Harvard alumni who self-identify as Latino and reside or work in the United States; to
increase Latino representation throughout the University; and to encourage Latino alumni
involvement in University alumni activities and affairs.
4.

HLAA was officially founded in 2015, as a culmination of various efforts over the last

30 years. Founding members saw the need for a formal organization connecting Latino students
across the University. The National Board is comprised of alumni from a majority of schools across
the Harvard campus whose attendance and graduation dates span nearly 40 years. Over the past
three years, HLAA has grown significantly in number of members, hosting events across the
country and connecting alumni with students. The HLAA provides its increasing number of
community members with opportunities to advance their careers through recruitment, mentoring
and networking.
5.

Since our founding, we have surveyed our members and held town hall meetings to

understand the needs of our community. Many of our members have expressed the need for
diversity on campus and have shared their feelings that as Latino students, the lacked support.
HLAA student-focused goals include building a pipeline of Latino applicants and making sure
admitted Latino students feel welcome and are given the resources they need to succeed at Harvard.
We strive to ensure that all Latinos are on a path to success not only at Harvard, but at other
academic institutions across the USA.
6.

While there has been an increase in Latino acceptance rates on campuses across the United

States, we feel that more needs to be done. Removing race-conscious factors from admissions
might jeopardize this progress, as well as further hinder academic achievement of Latino students

by eliminating the critical mass that provides vital support to the already underrepresented Latino
student base.
7.

Many of our members are first-generation college students and come from socio-

economically disadvantaged families. We believe that race-conscious admissions helps these
students compete with students educated at better schools and with greater access to opportunities
and experiences that enhance the potential for admission and academic success at Harvard. It is
our concern that if race-conscious admissions is removed from the process, Latino students will
be negatively impacted as they pursue higher education.
8.

Many of our alumni have benefited from racially diverse institutions, conversations,

organizations, etc. Through our experience both at the university and professionally, we have seen
first-hand how diversity improves the sharing of ideas, beliefs, etc. If not for race-conscious
admissions policies, we believe that the quality of our education would have been hindered. Future
generations should have even more diverse opportunities than we have. It is our hope that our
society continues to embrace the benefits of diversity, moving this agenda forward through
dialogue and conversation. We believe that admissions policies that are race-conscious assist in
this effort.
9.

As a diverse body of Latino alumni, spanning decades of history and experiences, as well

as representing the experience of various schools on Harvard’s campus, our National Board
wholeheartedly supports race-conscious admissions.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Executed on this day, July 27, 2018.

___________________________________
Debra Sanchez Reed
National President
Founding Board Member
Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance