ACTA Writes Letter of Support on Legacy Admissions Legislation in Maryland

In early March 2024, ACTA sent letters to Maryland State Delegates Jared Solomon and Jazz Lewis in support of House Bill 527 and House Bill 4, which would prohibit institutions of higher education that receive state funds from considering a legacy preference or donor preference as an eligible criterion for admissions standards. House Bill 4 was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore on April 4, 2024. The text of the letter can be found below. 

I wanted to reach out to you in light of your recent work on HB 527. As a nonprofit organization committed to the preservation of academic freedom, excellence, and accountability, the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) appreciates your efforts to safeguard fair admissions practices at our nation’s colleges and universities. We share your sentiment that legacy preferences are detrimental to the integrity of the admissions process.  

In this spirit, I would like to offer our aid if there is any way we can be of assistance. For over 25 years, ACTA has worked with trustees and public officials across the country to ensure that all Americans can receive a high-quality education at an affordable price. We have testified before various state legislatures and commissions in states including Florida, New Jersey, Alaska, Georgia, Montana, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Ohio, on matters such as curricular quality, academic assessment, and institutional accountability.  

If there is anything we can do to help your efforts to support HB 527, or in any matter in the future, please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly.    

We are immensely grateful for your commitment to American higher education, and I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, 

Armand Alacbay 
Chief of Staff & SVP of Strategy