The U.S. Supreme Court made two rulings about affirmative action June 23, increasing LSU student debate over the controversial topic causing an examination of admissions policy.
The court split 6-3, finding the University of Michigan’s point system unconstitutional.
“The university’s policy, which automatically distributes 20 points, or one-fifth of the points needed to guarantee admission, to every single underrepresented minority applicant solely because of race, is not narrowly tailored to achieve the interest in educational diversity,” Chief Justice William Rehnquist wrote in the majority opinion.
The second decision upheld the constitutionality of the University of Michigan’s Law School program that sought a “critical mass” of minorities. The case split the court 5-4.
“Cross-racial understanding helps to break down racial stereotypes,” Justice Sandra Day O’Connor wrote in the majority opinion. “The law school’s educational judgment that such diversity is essential to its educational mission is one to which we defer.”
Assistant Dean of the Graduate School Marie Hamilton described LSU admittance policy. “Affirmative action does not impact admittance,” Hamilton said. “Everybody who applies is admitted on the same criteria.”
Hamilton said different departments have various ways of recruiting their students. “Departments do try to recruit a diverse population,” Hamilton said.
Despite Hamilton’s statement that LSU does not use affirmative action criteria in determining admittance, students are still vocal about their stances.
LSU graduate David Rime thinks affirmative action is fine as long as it looks at more than just the race of an individual.
“Affirmative action should be based on community backgrounds and standards,” Rime said. Anthropology senior Bonnie Kendrick disagreed.
“Everyone should have the same merit to get into college,” Kendrick said. “A simple merit system wouldn’t eliminate diversity by any means.”
Recent polls show division in American opinions on affirmative action.
Results of a national survey from the Employment Law Alliance polling 1,000 adults show 36 percent believe the court’s decision was fair while 44 percent disapprove of the ruling. The final 20 percent either had no opinion or did not express an opinion.
The results also show support for the ruling was strongest among persons in higher income brackets, college graduates, those with advanced degrees and residents of the Northeast, Midwest and Western states. Support was weakest among persons in lower income brackets, retirees, those with high school educations or less and those living in Southern states.
The survey also shows more than half of the respondents believe affirmative action involving college admission for minorities and women has helped society.
A Black America’s Political Action Committee poll shows 65 percent of African American registered voters think affirmative action is good in principle but needs reform.
“There was a time and a place for it,” said Juan Chavez, an economics senior. “Race alone shouldn’t be a factor. I think backgrounds should be a factor.”