New California law bans college bequests and donor approval – NBC Bay Area

Under a new law signed this week by Gov. Gavin Newsom, private, nonprofit colleges in California are prohibited from giving preference in the admissions process to applicants connected to the school's alumni or donors.

The goal of the measure passed by lawmakers this year is to give students a fair chance to access higher education regardless of their socioeconomic status.

“In California, everyone should be able to advance through merit, skill and hard work,” Newsom said in a statement after signing the bill Monday. “The California dream shouldn’t be available to just a lucky few, which is why we’re opening the door to higher education wide enough for everyone and fairly.”

The law, which takes effect in September 2025, affects private institutions that consider family ties in admissions, including the University of Southern California, Stanford University, Claremont McKenna College and Santa Clara University.

The public University of California system eliminated the old preferences in 1998.

After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions last year, legacy admissions came under renewed scrutiny.

Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting, who authored the California bill, said it creates a level playing field for students applying to college.

“Hard work, good grades and a diverse background should secure you a spot in the freshman class — not the size of the check your family can write or who you are related to,” Ting said in a statement Monday.