The subject of race and admissions policy for state universities is once again before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Abigail Fisher, a Texas resident, is challenging the admission policy of the University of Texas after she was denied undergraduate admission.
The University of Texas molded its admissions system after a 2003 Supreme Court case, ruling that universities may “narrowly tailor [the} use of race in admissions decisions to further a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body.” The case, Grutter v. Bollinger, also determined that any race-conscious measures must be limited in time.
In previous decisions, the Supreme Court recognized that a diverse student body serves educational objectives by providing increased perspectives in the classroom and prepares students in their professions.
Fisher is asking the Supreme Court to reconsider or overrule Grutter. However, she has not argued that the state university does not have a compelling interest in assembling a racially diverse student body. Proponents of affirmative action say that they are apprehensive that the Supreme Court will use this case to ban affirmative action.