U of T is tossing in the towel on AA lawsuit

[KillerMuffin]

link: http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=topnews&StoryID=410581

I think this kind of sucks for the University. They got screwed by doing what the law required of them. They would've gotten screwed if they hadn't.

In 1992 they denied entrance to 3 white persons who immediately filed suit that they were being discriminated against due to their race. They actually were, I think. They claimed that Black and Hispanic students received preferential treatment and they were denied entrance due to that.

A federal judge ruled against them but the 5th circuit court in New Orleans overturned that saying that any consideration of race for admission was unconstitutional.

Since then the Supreme Court has refused to look at the case. Ouch. So the Univeristy of Texas has given up the appeals fight against this affirmative action thing, so it still stands in the books. They have to pay attorney's fee, judgements, and whatnot, but the original decision not to admit them still stands.

On the downside, enrollment by minorities at the University is down 50%.

Who is the loser here? Why?

 

[Mischka]

Everyone's a loser on this one, and there are no easy answers in sight. Don't feel that bad for the three plaintiffs, however. It was very doubtful that they would have gained admission even if UT did not have an affirmative action program in place at the time.

As for the downturn in minority admission, that is due more to failure to apply than failure to admit. The year after Hopwood minority applications hit an all time low. It was a self-fulfilling prophecy; the students did not believe they would be admitted under a color-blind review system, so they did bother to apply. Because so few applied, even fewer were admitted. The trend continues, and UT is trying everything it can to counter the trend, but it's hand are tied.

Lavender is better at remembering case names, but I believe there is a case coming out of Michigan that deals with affirmative action in graduate programs/law schools for which the Supreme Court is more likely to grant cert. If the Supreme Court renders a decision on affirmative action, given the current makeup of the court, it is virtually guaranteed that it will be fully dismantled on every level. UT gave up the fight because even if they were granted cert, they would have lost. I've wondered why they continued for this long.

 

[AskADumbSlut]

The preceding information has been provided

The previous information has been provided as a pro bono public service by the law firm of Mischka & Mischka. It is not intended to substitute for legal consultation regarding your own affirmative action or academic application. If you've been injured in an accident, call us and be sure you get what's coming to you.

 

[Spinaroonie]

So does that mean I should have put myself down as a minority? Oh well, I'm in and gonna go after the break. Can I change to become a minority when I change my major?