Affirmative Action in Student Admissions

On June 23, 2003, the United States Supreme Court issued decisions in two cases—Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger.  In these cases, the plaintiffs challenged the constitutionality of the use of race in the University of Michigan’s law school admissions program and in its undergraduate admissions program. The Court held that States have a “compelling interest” in promoting diversity in education.  Therefore, consideration of race as a positive factor in the admissions process is permissible as a part of a narrowly-tailored program designed to foster educational diversity.  Ultimately, the Court found that Michigan’s law school admissions program comported with this standard, while Michigan’s undergraduate admissions program did not. 

 

Grutter v. Bollinger et al.   (Law School case)

 

Gratz v. Bollinger et al.  (Undergraduate case) 

 

University of Michigan Admissions Lawsuits Resources Pages

Link to website maintained by the University of Michigan with extensive background information on the lawsuits, including all court filings and lower court opinions

 

UW System’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

 

UWM’s Chancellor’s Council on Inclusion