Supreme Court Rules On Using Race In University Admissions

On June 24, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that upheld a race-conscious student admissions process used by the University of Texas.  The decision clarifies earlier Supreme Court decisions holding that, although suspect, race may be considered in the admissions process if the process meets strict scrutiny requirements.  Fisher v. University of Texas.

The Supreme Court has addressed the use of race in university admissions procedures in the past, and its decisions have ranged from a complete ban on the consideration of race in admissions to a more fluid approach of allowing it under certain conditions.  Today's decision attempts to reconcile those past decisions.