UT’s affirmative action program stands

The University of Texas’ affirmative action policy stands, despite a legal challenge claiming it is unconstitutional.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to look at the case Friday, effectively allowing the university to continue to take race into consideration when weighing applicants.

Two white students who were rejected by the school sued UT in 2008.

An Austin judge ruled a year later that UT was doing nothing wrong. He said the affirmative action program was narrow in scope, and was furthering a compelling governmental interest.

Last week’s higher court decision backing the previous ruling, was not unanimous. Five judges said the appeals court should have applied greater scrutiny to UT’s affirmative action program.

The case is now expected to head to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Numbers for last year show blacks made up 4.5 percent of UT’s student body, but 11.8 percent of the Texas population.

Hispanics made up 17 percent of the student body, but 37.6 percent of the state population.

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Tags: Affirmative Action, Stands   Posted in Learning Guide