June 23, 2003 Supreme Court Affirms, 5-4, Law School's Admissions Policy By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON-- The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a university law school admissions policy that gives minorities an edge, ruling that race can be one of many factors that colleges consider when selecting their students. The ruling in the law-school case preserves the concept of affirmative action for minorities who might otherwise be underrepresented on top campuses, but makes clear that racial preferences must be used sparingly. The 5-4 ruling endorsed a program at the University of Michigan law school meant to ensure a "critical mass" of minorities on campus. The program is not an illegal quota, the high court said. A companion ruling testing the constitutionality of another, more overtly preferential affirmative action program for minority applicants was also expected Monday. Government has a compelling interest in promoting racial diversity on campus, and the law school plan is narrowly focused on that goal, the court majority said. The ruling allows tax-supported schools, and by extension private schools and other institutions, to continue searching for ways to boost minority enrollment without violating the Constitution's guarantee against discrimination. The University of Michigan cases are the most significant test of affirmative action to reach the court in a generation. At issue was whether racial preference programs unconstitutionally discriminate against white students. The ruling -- by a vote of five-to-four -- 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.
