Split Decision From Supreme Court On Affirmative Action

[LawyerGal2003]

Split Decision From Supreme Court On Affirmative Action

POSTED: 10:13 a.m. EDT June 23, 2003
UPDATED: 10:47 a.m. EDT June 23, 2003

CHICAGO -- The Supreme Court is ruling in favor of an affirmative action program at the University of Michigan law school.


AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Case Materials

Timeline

Gratz v. Bollinger
Initial Complaint

Oral Arguments

Grutter v. Bollinger
Initial Complaint
Oral Arguments


Interact
Do you agree?
Discuss the ruling




The program gives an edge to minority applicants. And in its ruling Monday, the high court said race can be one of many factors considered by colleges when selecting their students.

The ruling -- by a vote of 5-4 -- makes it clear that racial preferences have to be used sparingly.


But it preserves the concept of affirmative action for minorities who might otherwise be under-represented on campuses. The high court said the Michigan program does not amount to an illegal quota.

But in a second ruling Monday, the justices struck down the University of Michigan's undergraduate admissions policy that more overtly favors minorities.

Affirmative Action Becomes Political Platform
The University of Michigan's affirmative action case has become a political platform for Democratic presidential candidates.

During a Democratic presidential forum in Chicago Sunday, candidates said if elected, they would promote affirmative action even if the Supreme Court rules against the school.

The forum was sponsored by Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry said he was committed to have people of color in positions of power in his administration.

But Al Sharpton said what was more important was not getting more blacks in high places, but getting the right ones. Sharpton cited Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as a black man who may vote against the university's affirmative action plan.

Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistr