Supreme Court Ruling On Affirmative Action

Due to recent midterm elections and the threat of an impending invasion of Iraq one controversial issue has been quietly developing. I’m referring to the current proceedings in the United States Supreme Court concerning affirmative action in higher education. In the coming months the highest court in the land may provide the long awaited clarity both students and institutions need.
The nation’s two most prominent challenges to affirmative action in the last decade have asked the United States Supreme Court to review the indistinct ruling of the 1978 case, California v. Bakke. Lower courts have split on the meaning of Bakke, unable to acutely discern the courts opinion. The two current plaintiff’s are students who applied to the University of Michigan, one as an undergraduate, the other as a law student, and were reject admissions, while less qualified minorities were accepted. They are alleging race based admissions unlawfully discriminates against whites. The plaintiffs cite the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment-equal protection under the law and Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which bans discrimination based on “race, color, or national origin.”
The plaintiff’s are facing stiff opposition. Americans for a Fair Chance has joined with college students of all races to counter the plaintiffs’ claim. They have been working to promote the recruitment and retention of underrepresented students. As members of Temple University, we are all well aware of the benefits of a diverse university and education. Racial diversity is deeply connected to successful intellectual pursuits in our multiracial society. Problems that converge around minority issues remain invisible in classes lacking variety. Students who learn in a diverse environment begin to think in more complex ways and are better prepared to become involved citizens and community leaders. We as students enjoy the benefits from an active engagement in a diverse setting. This why I feel it is essential that higher education continues to promote such an environment.
The Supreme Court now has the ability to reinforce the ideals we have come to expect at Temple. As nation we need clarity, finality, and a uniform rule of law on this issue. Diversity does have educational benefits and is worth encouraging in higher education. A Supreme Court conference has been set for Nov. 22. It should be decided by the end of this year whether the court will hear one, both or neither of the Michigan University cases, let us hope they make the right decision. To follow the progress of the case you can visit: https://www.law.umich.edu/newsandinfo/.