> shocked that a Harvard prof would admit to overturning someone's admission due in part to them being a racial minority

Harvard has come under a lot of criticism for having a lower standard for blacks and a higher standard for asians. He seems to imply that he felt or that others would feel (I can't exactly tell) that Harvard would not have accepted someone in the same situation who wasn't black. This is different than saying he didn't think she should be accepted because of her skin color.

I'm not arguing for or against their decision--just that within the context of current lawsuits against Harvard, his statement has a bit different meaning.