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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Camila Gallardo
(305) 573-7329
cgallardo@nclr.org
This morning, in a 7-1 decision, the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling in Fisher v. University of Texas, a case that challenged the constitutionality of diversity programs in college admissions. The Supreme Court remanded the case back to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, citing the lower court’s failure to use correct standards to accurately evaluate the University of Texas’s admission policy.
“We welcome today’s decision by the Supreme Court to preserve the critical programs that promote greater diversity at our colleges and universities. It is certainly in our collective interest as a nation to ensure that the next generation of leaders and our future workforce have access to our institutions of higher learning and are able to enhance that learning experience by sharing a classroom with students who have a variety of talents, backgrounds and life experiences,” said Janet Murguía, President and CEO of NCLR (National Council of La Raza).
While today’s ruling does not represent final deliberation on the issue of inclusive admissions programs, it has made clear that the highest court in the nation continues to support the importance of diverse learning environments. In the majority opinion, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote, "The attainment of a diverse student body serves values beyond race alone, including enhanced classroom dialogue and the lessening of racial isolation and stereotypes.”
The University of Texas, like many other institutions of higher learning committed to diversity, had crafted an admissions policy that takes a comprehensive approach to evaluating students for entrance to the school. Race, community service and test scores are a few of the factors considered.
“The University of Texas has developed an admissions policy that is inclusive, fosters educational diversity and has received widespread support from coalitions as diverse as the defense and the business communities, 73 of which filed amici briefs supporting UT. We are hopeful that the lower court will rule in its favor and reaffirm our nation’s commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity,” concluded Murguía.
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