Students calling for diversity protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington D.C., the United States, on Oct. 10, 2012. REUTERS Photo)
WASHINGTON, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday afternoon announced that it is withdrawing a series of Obama-era documents promoting racial diversity in U.S. campuses, according to a statement.
"The Supreme Court has determined what affirmative action policies are Constitutional, and the Court's written decisions are the best guide for navigating this complex issue. Schools should continue to offer equal opportunities for all students while abiding by the law," U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in a statement.
The seven documents withdrawn include a Dear Colleague Letter Regarding the Use of Race by Educational Institutions issued Dec 2, 2011, among others.
The statement said the department has "concluded that they advocate policy preferences and positions beyond the requirements of the constitution."
"Moreover, the documents prematurely decide, or appear to decide, whether particular actions violate the constitution or federal law," the statement said.
The moves effectively encourages U.S. schools to adopt "color blind" admission policies, which may reduce the number of minority racial group students enrolled into prestigious universities.