Stanford University apologizes for limiting Jewish admissions in the 1950s

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Fort Wayne’s NBC) - Stanford University apologized Wednesday for limiting Jewish student admissions in the 1950s.

The school’s president, Marc Tessier-Lavigne, appointed a task force in January to address the claims. In its report, the task force cited a 1953 memo where administrators expressed concern about the admittance numbers of Jewish applicants.

It is unclear how long the suppression policy was in place, but Stanford University’s president says it likely dissuaded Jewish applicants for years. He called on the university to acknowledge and confront its history.

The task force recommends enhanced education and training to address bias. They also recommended more attention to Jewish religious observances in classrooms, housing, and dining halls.