Grutter v. Bollinger and Affirmative Action in Higher Education

In 2003, the United States Supreme Court heard a pivotal case called Grutter v. Bollinger, which revolved around the issue of affirmative action in higher education. At the heart of this case was the question of whether race could be used as a factor when considering applicants for admission into universities like University of Michigan Law School, where at the time, approximately two thirds of African American students were admitted based upon their racial background. The plaintiffs argued that this practice violated the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause by giving preferential treatment to individuals because they belong to certain groups rather than being judged on individual merit alone.

The main principle underpinning the law school's policy was known as 'diversity', with the goal of creating classroom environments that would benefit from having different perspectives represented among students. This view was supported by the concept of critical mass, which suggested that there is value in having enough minority students present so that their contributions can truly enrich class discussions and the overall learning environment. However, critics pointed out that such policies seemed arbitrary, given that only some minorities were deemed worthy of special consideration while others like Asian Americans faced discrimination due to quotas limiting their admittance.

In ruling against the plaintiff, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor declared that although race cannot be the sole criterion for acceptance, it may play a role alongside other criteria such as academic potential, leadership skills and the ability to draw strength from cultural differences. She also emphasized that the law school must have a compelling interest in achieving its goals and must ensure that the means chosen are narrowly tailored to achieve those ends. Nevertheless, she indicated that the use of race as a deciding factor in college admissions will eventually need to come to an end if society continues to make progress towards equality.

Overall, Grutter v. Bollinger highlights how institutions like colleges and universities work hard to create diverse environments while balancing the rights afforded to every individual within our legal system. It serves as a reminder that ensuring equal opportunity requires careful attention to details and ongoing vigilance over time.