On Monday (3-19), the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a University of Texas admissions policy is unconstitutional and that public universities may not justify affirmative action programs based on the benefits of racial diversity. The decision will affect virtually all institutions of higher education taking racial diversity in account in admissions.
The court ruled for the plaintiffs, four white students who argued that they were unfairly denied admission to the University of Texas law school. The university defended its admissions practices that were implemented to achieve goals of racial diversity and compensation for past discrimination, while the Court maintained one could not assume that racial diversity was indicative of diversity of experience and opinions. The article in the Washington Postmade no mention of affirmative action programs benefitting women. Three of the four plaintiffs were male.
Media Resources: The Washington Post - March 20, 1996
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