HARVARD Act

Bill: 118-hr-4447
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Steel, Michelle [R-CA-45]
Introduced: 2023-06-30
Policy area: Education
Latest action: action_date: 2023-06-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-06-30
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Helping Applicants Receive Valid and Reasonable Decisions Act or the HARVARD Act</strong></p> <p> This bill requires an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student-aid programs and considers personality traits of applicants in making admission determinations to publicly disclose specified information related to personality traits. <em>Personality traits</em> refer to the patterns of an individual with respect to behaviors, thoughts, and emotions and may include patterns relating to humor, sensitivity, grit, leadership, integrity, helpfulness, courage, and kindness.</p> <p>Specifically, the IHE must make available on its public website and application materials (1) a statement informing applicants of the use of personality traits in making admission determinations, (2) the rationale for such use of personality traits, (3) a description of the process under which personality traits are considered, and (4) the standards and criteria used for rating personality traits.</p>

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4447 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 30, 2023 Mrs. Steel introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce A BILL To direct institutions of higher education to improve transparency with respect to the use of personality traits in admissions, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Helping Applicants Receive Valid And Reasonable Decisions Act or the HARVARD Act . 2. Use of personality traits in admissions Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1094(a) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (30) (A) In the case of an institution that considers the personality traits of applicants in making admission determinations, the institution shall make available on the public website and application materials of such institution— (i) a statement informing applicants of the use of personality traits in making admission determinations; (ii) the rationale for such use of personality traits; (iii) a description of the process under which personality traits are considered; and (iv) the standards and criteria used for rating personality traits. (B) In this paragraph, the term personality traits means, with respect to an individual, the patterns of such individual with respect to behaviors, thoughts, and emotions, and may include patterns relating to humor, sensitivity, grit, leadership, integrity, helpfulness, courage, and kindness. .