Which case upheld the use of race as a factor in admissions to achieve diversity without imposing quotas?

Which case upheld the use of race as a factor in admissions to achieve diversity without imposing quotas?

• A. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke
• B. Grutter v. Bollinger (2003)
• C. Fisher v. University of Texas
• D. Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1

Answer: (B)

Race can be used as a factor in admissions to promote a diverse student body, as long as it’s part of a holistic review and not a fixed quota. In Grutter v. Bollinger, the Supreme Court upheld the University of Michigan Law School’s admissions policy precisely for that reason: diversity was a compelling interest, and race was one factor among many in evaluating applicants. The process was narrowly tailored and did not set aside a specific number of seats for any racial group. This distinguishes it from quota-based approaches and aligns with the idea that race-conscious admissions can be permissible when applied case by case rather than as a rigid numeric rule.

Race can be used as a factor in admissions to promote a diverse student body, as long as it’s part of a holistic review and not a fixed quota. In Grutter v. Bollinger, the Supreme Court upheld the University of Michigan Law School’s admissions policy precisely for that reason: diversity was a compelling interest, and race was one factor among many in evaluating applicants. The process was narrowly tailored and did not set aside a specific number of seats for any racial group. This distinguishes it from quota-based approaches and aligns with the idea that race-conscious admissions can be permissible when applied case by case rather than as a rigid numeric rule.