Abigail Noel Fisher caused quite the splash when she sued the University of Texas over her rejected application. She claimed she was rejected because she was white, and that her application was treated differently than some less-qualified minority students. The University defended its position to use race as a factor in the application process as one of many factors aiming to create a diverse campus population.
The Supreme Court, set to determine whether affirmative action violates the equal protection rights of non-minority students, avoided most of the major issues, sending the case back to smaller courts for further review. They did, however, affirm the use of race in the admission process, but placed further restrictions, making it more difficult for schools to use.
Both sides seem to be encouraged by the result, however. Abigal released a statement quoted in CNN, saying, “I am grateful to the justices for moving the nation closer to the day when a student’s race isn’t used at all in college admissions.”
The University continued to stand by its practices, supported by the Obama administration, who emphasize the importance of developing future leaders who “possess the understanding of diversity that is necessary to govern and defend the United States.
The court agreed, saying that “the attainment of a diverse student body serves values beyond race alone, including enhanced classroom dialogue and the lessening of racial isolation and stereotypes.” They did state, however, that such means may only be used to create diversity as a last resort. They must be able to thoroughly prove that no other means of creating diversity were available.
In a period of important decisions by the Supreme Court, the Fisher v. University of Texas Austin case has yet to prove if it will be groundbreaking or result in further action.