Grutter v. Bollinger: Affirmative Action in Higher Education

What was the key issue in the Supreme Court case of Grutter v. Bollinger?

Who was the plaintiff in the case of Grutter v. Bollinger?

What did the majority opinion in Grutter v. Bollinger state regarding diversity?

How did the Supreme Court rule on the constitutionality of race-conscious admissions in higher education?

What significance does Grutter v. Bollinger hold in American society?

Why did the University of Michigan Law School's policy face scrutiny in Grutter v. Bollinger?

In 2003, the U.S. Supreme Court faced an important decision regarding affirmative action policies in higher education institutions when they heard the case of Grutter v. Bollinger. At issue was whether the University of Michigan Law School's policy to consider racial diversity during its admissions process violated the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. The plaintiff, Barbara Grutter, claimed she had been denied admission despite her strong qualifications due to the school favoring minority applicants over white candidates. However, the majority opinion, written by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, ruled in favor of the law school, stating that the goal of achieving diversity among students is a compelling state interest and the admissions criteria used were narrowly tailored enough to pass constitutional muster. This ruling allowed universities to continue using race-conscious admissions to ensure diverse student bodies while also setting guidelines on how these programs could be enforced without infringing on individual rights. Today, Grutter v. Bollinger remains a landmark case in the ongoing debate around the role of affirmative action in American society.

Explore the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case of Grutter v. Bollinger, which addressed the constitutionality of affirmative action policies in higher education institutions. Learn about the decision's impact on admissions processes and the ongoing debate surrounding affirmative action in American society.