Friday, July 14, 2023
Recent affirmative action decision will not impact OSU’s admissions process
News & Lifestyle Editor
Courtesy of Kevin Dietsch The U.S. Supreme Court is pictured on June 30, 2023, in Washington, DC. The Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration’s student debt forgiveness program in Biden v. Nebraska and also sided with a Christian web designer in Colorado who refuses to create websites to celebrate same-sex weddings out of religious objections. students, but universities throughout the country.
Supreme Setback
The United States Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding affirmative action will not impact the admission process at Oklahoma State University. On June 29, SCOTUS decided, through a vote of 6-2, that racebased affirmative action in college admissions is unconstitutional. Affirmative action, as it was previously upheld, meant that higher education institutions, in this instance Harvard College and the University of North Carolina, could consider race as one factor of many when admitting students. Courtesy of Jaiden Daughty “Many universities have for The United States Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding affirmative action will not impact too long wrongly concluded that the admission process at OSU, said associate director of communications in the OSU Office of Undergraduate Admissions Rachel Eng. the touchstone of an individual’s identity is not challenges bested, decision. “This Nation’s constitusource ecology and management skills built, or lessons learned, but tional history does not tolerate that junior, believes the decision is a the color of their skin,” said Chief choice.” great change. Justice John Roberts in the official Cole Cirilo, a natural reSee Admissions on 6
Court Blocks Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Tanner Kenyon Staff Reporter
completely erasing the debts of 20 million borrowers and lowering the median amount owed by the other 23 million from $29,400 to $13,600,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote to the public. “Six states sued, arguing that the HEROES Act does not authorize the loan cancellation plan. We agree.” The HEROES Act was a statute the Biden administration had relied upon to justify the debt relief program. The Biden administration’s loan forgiveness plan, which was launched in August of 2022, had aimed to provide an impact regarding relief for borrowers, particularly those with lower incomes. The program aimed to forgive up to $10,000 in student debt for eligible borrowers making less than $125,000 annually. Prior to legal challenges that paused the program, more than 26 million people had applied and/or already provided enough information to the Education Department to be deemed eligible. In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling, President Biden has given his commitment finding alternative avenues for providing relief to student loan borrowers. In a statement given on June 30, Biden stated “I will stop at nothing to find other ways to deliver relief to hard-working middle class families. My Administration will continue to work to bring the promise of higher education to every American.”
In a move that left millions of student loan borrowers in uncertainty, the Supreme Court ruled against the Biden administration’s loan forgiveness plan on June 29. While the ruling was a setback for those who were hoping for debt relief, protests have already begun in hopes of combating the decision. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court held that federal law does not allow the secretary of education to cancel more than $430 billion in student loan debt, a man that is responsible for loan burdens of over 40 million Americans. The Supreme Court’s ruling has ignited heated and controversial debates, with reactions split along party lines. The impact of this decision has reverberated throughout the country and many universities including Oklahoma State University. Students and faculty are grappling with the implications of the decision and what it could mean for the future of higher education. In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, OSU, like other universities, is now faced with the task of assisting its student population navigate the complex landscape of repayment plans. Financial aid offices are working to provide guidance and resources to its students. “The Secretary’s plan canceled roughly $430 billion of federal student loan balances, See Setback on 6
Courtesy of Davis Cordova Athletic directors around the Big 12 praised commissioner Brett Yormark at Big 12 Media Days, citing his innovation in collegiate athletics.
Yormark ingraining background into Big 12 that’s good,” said UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir. “From what we need and the transition for the four new schools coming into the Big 12 and being able to capture and monetize the exposure opportunities for the league. He was a Davis Cordova perfect hire.” Staff Reporter The list of things he’s accomplished so far, is a lengthy, but ARLINGTON, Texas − Brett impressive one. Yormark most importantly Yormark’s statement from last year secured the conference’s media is taking shape for the conference rights deal with ESPN and FOX – younger, hipper, cooler. through 2031. The money for each Yormark had zero college school increased to more than $40 athletics experience prior to his million – and that’s without Oklahire as Big 12 commissioner last year, but that didn’t stop him from homa and Texas. He’s added conference events changing the conference. in New York’s most famous basketHe’s steering the Big 12 from ball playground Rucker Park and simply a student-athletic conferintroduced Big 12 Mexico, which ence to a money-making busiwill allow regular-season games in ness and entertainment company basketball and women’s soccer to that supports its student-athletes, be played in the country. Yormark universities and communities to also introduced a Big 12 Pro Day achieve desired goals. So far, it’s working, and ath- with the NFL. In Kansas City at the Big 12 letic directors around the conferbasketball championships, Yorence are taking notice. mark brought former basketball “There’s no other commissioner like him in the country, and superstar Shaquille O’Neal to play
a DJ set in the Power & Light District. He got hip-hop legend Fat Joe to play a VIP performance during the tournament and had superstar Jordin Sparks sing the national anthem. For the Big 12 football championship game, the Big 12 logos on the hash marks of the 25-yard line were colored in camo, highlighting a partnership between the conference and BAPE – a clothing brand short for A Bathing Ape. Yormark announced an extension of the football championship game in AT&T Stadium and said there will be halftime show by a “major artist” starting next year. The conference even added school-themed food to the menu at the basketball and baseball championships including a K-State Wabash Cannondog featuring a purple relish and a Stormin’ from Norman Oklahoma Taco. All of this is proof that Yormark is changing the conference to hone in on the entertainment, fan-engaging and business side of the conference. Something no other conference is doing. See Yormark on 4