Law Commons^™

Grutter V. Bollinger: Race As A Factor In Public Higher Education Admissions Policies, Valerie Njiiri

Mercer Law Review

In Grutter v. Bollinger, the United States Supreme Court held that the University of Michigan Law School's goal of student body diversity was a compelling interest. The Court concluded that the Law School's narrowly tailored race-based admissions program was not prohibited by the Equal Protection Clause because it furthered "a compelling interest in obtaining the educational benefits that flow from a diverse student body." This decision was unexpected in light of affirmative action rulings which have limited the use of race in admission programs.