Bill > S02237

This bill establishes the "Fair College Admissions Act" in New York, which prohibits higher education institutions from considering an applicant's alumni/ae relationship during the admissions process. The bill argues that legacy admissions are discriminatory and disproportionately harm students from low-income, working-class, undocumented, immigrant, and historically underrepresented minority backgrounds. The legislative findings highlight that students from highly selective institutions are more likely to earn higher salaries, and that legacy admissions contribute to economic and social inequality by giving preferential treatment to applicants with family connections to an institution. Under the bill, any higher education institution in New York—including the State University of New York (SUNY), City University of New York (CUNY), and other degree-granting colleges—must remove or redact alumni relation information from admissions documents. Institutions found to knowingly violate this prohibition could face civil penalties up to $50,000 after a hearing. The bill will take effect on the first day of July following its passage, with provisions allowing for immediate preparation of necessary implementation rules and regulations.

Education

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S2237