Reference no: EM132175951

They had been accepted at Harvard. So, in December 2016, they started a Facebook messaging group that they called “Harvard memes for Horny Bourgeois Teens.” The group continued to grow, to 100, and with that growth the postings made their way back to Harvard officials. The postings were offensive at best, racist and frightening at worst. Some students joked about finding sexually molesting children to be arousing. One post labeled the hypothetical hanging of a Mexican child, “piñata time.” Other memes mocked sexual assault and the Holocaust. Not all admitted students participated in what was called the dark meme group. Admission to this subgroup of the Facebook site for admitted students required those seeking to join the group to post something provocative. ?When Harvard officials became aware of the posts, they sent letters to those involved with the following, "The Admissions Committee was disappointed to learn that several students in a private group chat for the Class of 2021 were sending messages that contained offensive messages and graphics . . . We are asking that you submit a statement by tomorrow at noon to explain your contributions and actions for discussion with the Admissions Committee." The admitted students who were part of the group, but did not participate were not sent the letter. After the letters were submitted, Harvard revoked the acceptance of 10 students who had been admitted. ?Harvard receives 40,000 applications for admission each year, and it admits 2,056 (5.2%). An acceptance has certain conditions. For example, acceptance comes before final grades are computed for the applicants’ final year in high school, so the acceptance has the condition that all things remain about the same as reflected in the students’ applications, including grades and behavior. Harvard’s admission letter includes the following: “As a reminder, Harvard College reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission under various conditions including if an admitted student engages in behavior that brings into question his or her honesty, maturity, or moral character.” Harvard’s decision to rescind admission is a final decision. There is no appeal for a revocation of admission.

Discuss the ethical issues in this Harvard situation, including the issues of stakeholders, privacy, diversity, and personal lives.