Which case is often cited for supporting diversity in higher education by considering race among factors?

Which case is often cited for supporting diversity in higher education by considering race among factors?

• A. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
• B. Grutter v. Bollinger
• C. Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections
• D. Loving v. Virginia

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is that race can be considered as one factor in admissions to promote a diverse student body, and that such consideration can be constitutional when used carefully as part of a holistic review. Grutter v. Bollinger is the best example because it explicitly upheld the University of Michigan Law School’s policy of considering race as one factor among many in admissions. The Court held that achieving a diverse student body is a compelling state interest in higher education, and that a narrowly tailored admissions process—one that avoids quotas and looks at each applicant as an individual—can satisfy the Equal Protection Clause. This decision solidified how race-conscious admissions can be used to foster educational benefits from diversity. The other cases aren’t about upholding diversity-focused admissions in the same way. Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections deals with poll taxes and equal protection in voting, not education policy. Loving v. Virginia concerns laws banning interracial marriage. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke addressed quotas and ruled that fixed racial quotas are impermissible, though it allowed race to be one factor among many in admissions. So Grutter stands out as the case that most directly and affirmatively supports race-conscious consideration in higher education admissions.

The idea being tested is that race can be considered as one factor in admissions to promote a diverse student body, and that such consideration can be constitutional when used carefully as part of a holistic review.

Grutter v. Bollinger is the best example because it explicitly upheld the University of Michigan Law School’s policy of considering race as one factor among many in admissions. The Court held that achieving a diverse student body is a compelling state interest in higher education, and that a narrowly tailored admissions process—one that avoids quotas and looks at each applicant as an individual—can satisfy the Equal Protection Clause. This decision solidified how race-conscious admissions can be used to foster educational benefits from diversity.

The other cases aren’t about upholding diversity-focused admissions in the same way. Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections deals with poll taxes and equal protection in voting, not education policy. Loving v. Virginia concerns laws banning interracial marriage. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke addressed quotas and ruled that fixed racial quotas are impermissible, though it allowed race to be one factor among many in admissions. So Grutter stands out as the case that most directly and affirmatively supports race-conscious consideration in higher education admissions.