College admissions scandal
<p>During the U.S. attorneys' office press conference, Andrew Lelling said, "We're not talking about donating a building so that a school is more likely to take your son or daughter. We're talking about deception and fraud." </p>

<p>However, are schools really allowed to give some students preferential treatment if their family made significant donations to the university? </p>

<p>A private college or university is allowed to grant preferential treatment to anyone they please, except for oen of the reasons prohibited by relevant anti-discrimination law. Such laws vary by state, but generally prohibit preferences based on race, national origin, or gender. Some also include sexual preference or other categories. But I have never heard of a law preventing discrimination based on wealth, or specific donations. None of the Federal civil rights acts have such a provision.</p>

<p>Preferences for so-called "legacy" students -- that is students whose parent or parents (or possibly more remote ancestors) are alumni of the school are common, and I am not aware of any case in which they have been seriously challenged as unlawful discrimination. Preferences for military veterans are also common, and may be mandated for public schools.</p>

<p>For public schools justifying discrimination might be harder, and any relevant legislative polices will need to be considered, but even they can be free to make "rational" distinctions at least.</p>

<p>Not all discrimination  is unlawful discrimination  -- far from it.</p>

fraud