By Hayley Goldblatt Posted April 18, 2012
The Supreme Court announced Tuesday, February 21, that it will be taking on another case concerning affirmative action in higher education institutions. Affirmative action is positive steps taken to increase the representation of women and minorities in areas of employment, education, and business from which they have been historically excluded. (Stanford Dictionary of Philosophy)
In 1974, the original affirmative action case took place between Allan Bakke and the Regents of the University of California, and it set the standards for affirmative action cases. In 2003, another affirmative action case was taken on when Barbra Grutter filed a suit against the Law School of University of Michigan, saying that race was used as a predominant factor in accepting students. When this standard involves selection based on race, gender, or ethnicity, it can cause serious controversy, as seen in these cases above.
The case started with Abigail Fisher, who sued the University of Texas for not admitting her and another female student. According to Brian Fitzpatrick, a law professor at Vanderbilt University, a broad ruling in favor of the student, Abigail Fisher, could decimate affirmative action programs among many of the nation’s public and private colleges, because the Justices feel sympathy for her and her cause. It also seems like Justice Samuel Alito is more hostile to the idea of affirmative action then his predecessor Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. (Fox News- Supreme Court to take up reverse affirmative action case at Texas university)
To fulfill the requirements for affirmative action, most schools must have x number of minority group students and anyone else who fits their requirements to get into their school. Now say that an African American student with a 3.2 GPA was admitted over a Caucasian student with a 3.7 GPA because of affirmative action. This is an example of overusing affirmative action.
Students should get an equal chance to get into a school they are qualified for and not be judged or accepted by the color of their skin. Students who deserve to get in should not be pushed to the back of the list because of affirmative action.
