Supreme Court to Hear Case on Legality of Affirmative Action in College Admissions

Landmark Case Could Have Far-Reaching Implications for Education and Diversity

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on October 31 in a case that could have major implications for affirmative action in college admissions. The case, Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, challenges Harvard's race-conscious admissions policies.

Background

Affirmative action is a set of policies designed to promote diversity and equal opportunity in education, employment, and other areas. In the context of college admissions, affirmative action allows colleges to consider race as one factor in the admissions process, with the goal of increasing the representation of underrepresented minority groups on campus.

Harvard's admissions policies have been the subject of scrutiny and legal challenges for decades. In 1990, the Supreme Court upheld Harvard's use of race in admissions in the case of Bakke v. Regents of the University of California.

The Current Case

The current case was brought by Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), a group that opposes affirmative action in college admissions. SFFA argues that Harvard's admissions policies discriminate against Asian American applicants and violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Harvard has defended its admissions policies, arguing that they are necessary to create a diverse student body that benefits all students.

Implications

The outcome of the Supreme Court case could have far-reaching implications for affirmative action in college admissions. If the Court strikes down Harvard's policies, it could lead to the end of affirmative action in all colleges and universities.

If the Court upholds Harvard's policies, it would send a message that affirmative action is still a legitimate tool for promoting diversity and equal opportunity.

Experts Weigh In

Experts are divided on the likely outcome of the case. Some believe that the Court will uphold Harvard's policies, while others believe that the Court will strike them down.

"I think the Court is going to be very divided on this case," said Michael Brown, a law professor at George Washington University. "There are four conservative justices who are skeptical of affirmative action, and there are four liberal justices who are supportive of it. The outcome will likely depend on the vote of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who is a conservative but has also expressed support for diversity in the past."

Regardless of the outcome, the Supreme Court case is sure to have a major impact on the future of affirmative action in college admissions.